James “Kamala” Harris, the legendary wrestler known for his fearsome persona and unforgettable feuds, has finally been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025.  He joins Clinton native “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase as the only two WWE Hall of Famers from the Magnolia State. His induction is a long-overdue recognition of a performer who left an indelible mark on professional wrestling.
James Arthur Harris, better known as Kamala, was born on May 28, 1950, in Senatobia, MS. Raised in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in Coldwater, Harris faced early hardships, including the tragic loss of his father when he was just four years old. To support his family, he worked as a sharecropper during his teen years, a tough life that shaped his resilience and tough spirit.
In his early twenties, Harris moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he met wrestling legend Bobo Brazil. Brazil introduced him to the world of professional wrestling, and Harris began training under “Tiny” Tim Hampton. His early wrestling career saw him perform under various names, including Sugar Bear Harris and Big Jim Harris.
By 1982 Big Jim Harris had moved closer to home to work for Jerry Lawler’s Memphis territory. Lawler and promoter Jerry Jarrett would give Harris a gimmick that would change his life forever, by giving him the Kamala gimmick. Inspired by African tribal warriors, Kamala was portrayed as a fearsome, silent Ugandan giant, complete with face paint, a loincloth, and a spear. His intimidating presence and unique character quickly made him a top heel in wrestling.
In 1983, Kamala moved to World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), based in Dallas. Here, he feuded with top stars like Bruiser Brody and The Von Erichs, further cementing his reputation as a terrifying heel. His matches against Andre the Giant, including a showdown at the Louisiana Superdome, were particularly memorable, as they pitted two of wrestling’s largest figures against each other.
(Kamala battles Andre the Giant inside of a steel cage in 1982 at the Louisiana Superdome.)
Kamala made his WWE debut in 1984, bringing his fearsome persona to a national audience. Managed by Freddie Blassie and Kim Chee, he was immediately thrust into high-profile feuds. His battles with Hulk Hogan were among the most notable, as he was presented as a legitimate threat to the WWE Champion. Their matches often ended in chaotic brawls, reinforcing Kamala’s unpredictable nature.
(Kamala with his long time manager Kim Chee)
After leaving WWE in 1987, Kamala wrestled in various promotions, including All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and United States Wrestling Association (USWA). He continued to dominate opponents with his powerful, brawling style, maintaining his reputation as an unstoppable force.
(Kamala battled Shawn Michaels on one of the earlier episode of Monday Night Raw in 1993.)
(Two WWE Hall of Famers from Mississippi square up in the ring as Kamala takes on “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase in 1993.)
In 1991, Kamala returned to WWE for another memorable run. This time, he was managed by Harvey Wippleman and once again terrorized the roster. His most famous feud during this period was against The Undertaker, leading to their legendary coffin match at SummerSlam 1992 in front of 100,000 people at London’s Wembley Stadium. The match played into Kamala’s fear of caskets, adding an extra layer of drama to their encounters.
(Kamala had a memorable feud with The Undertaker in 1992 that culminated in a Casket Match with the Dead Man at Summerslam 1992)
Following his loss to The Undertaker, Kamala’s character underwent a transformation. In late 1992, he was turned into a babyface (fan favorite) after being mistreated by his manager, Harvey Wippleman. He was then taken under the guidance of Reverend Slick, who portrayed Kamala as a misunderstood figure rather than a savage warrior. This shift in character allowed Kamala to connect with fans in a new way.
(Kamala fighting Doink the Clown on the 3/22/93 episode of Monday Night Raw)
Kamala’s WWE run came to an end in mid-1993, as he left the company to return to independent promotions. Though he would make sporadic appearances in WWE in later years, his 1991-1993 run was his last major stint with the company.
After leaving the WWE in 1993, Kamala would return to the Mississippi Delta and become a mainstay in the USWA for a number of years as well as pop up at smaller indy shows in the Memphis area. But for the most part Kamala would stay out of the spotlight.
Kamala made several one-off appearances in WWE during the 2000s, often as part of comedic segments or special events. His last WrestleMania appearance came in 2001 in the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania X-Seven, a match featuring legendary gimmick wrestlers from the past won by Iron Sheik. Though he didn’t win, his presence was a nostalgic highlight for longtime fans.
(Kamala competed in the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania X-7 in 2001, where he eliminated his longtime manager Kim Chee)
He returned on the August 11, 2005 edition of Smackdown answering Randy Orton’s open challenge, but the match would be interrupted by his old rival The Undertaker. He appeared at the 2005 Taboo Tuesday event, as one of the choices for Eugene”s tag team partner. He lost the fan vote to Jimmy Snuka, but came to the ring after the match to deliver a big splash to Tyson Tomko. In June 2006 he would return and begin a feud with Umaga. Even wrestling Umaga on the June 26, 2006 episode of RAW, which turned out to be his final appearance with the WWE.
(Kamala takes on Umaga on 6/26/06 episode of Monday Night Raw, his final appearance on WWE TV.)
By the late 2000s, Kamala’s wrestling career slowed down significantly. He officially retired in 2010, though he continued to make occasional appearances at wrestling conventions and fan events. Unfortunately, his post-wrestling years were marked by serious health issues. Kamala suffered from diabetes, which led to the amputation of both legs. Despite these challenges, he began a brief career in music releasing a solo album.
Kamala passed away on August 9, 2020 in Oxford, MS, after being hospitalized for several weeks due to COVID and diabetes. His death was mourned by fans and fellow wrestlers alike, who recognized his contributions to the industry.
On Friday night at the Fontainebleau Resort & Casino “The Ugandan Giant” Kamala took his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame, inducted by his wife.
Kamala’s career from 1993 to 2020 was defined by his status as a wrestling icon, his sporadic returns to WWE, and his enduring impact on the industry. Though he faced significant hardships in his later years, his contributions to professional wrestling remain unforgettable.  It is with great honor that we honor one of Mississippi’s most important wrestling stars in “Kamala” James Harris (1950-2020).
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