James “Kamala” Harris, Wrestler Extraordinaire, Dies at 70

WWE wrestler James “Kamala” Harris has died at the age of 70. The WWE superstar made a name for himself in bouts against the league’s greatest competitors, including Hulk Hogan, the Undertaker, and Andre the Giant.

The official WWE website first announced Kamala’s death on Sunday. “WWE is saddened to learn that James Harris, known to WWE fans as Kamala, has passed away at age 70,” wrote the sports entertainment company. “He terrorized opponents and thrilled audiences in Mid-South, World Class Championship Wrestling, WCW and WWE until 2006.”

The league did not specify Kamala’s cause of death, but in a Facebook post, Kenny Casanova, who co-authored Kamala’s autobiography, wrote that the legend died of complications from COVID-19.

“Kamala was one of the most believable monsters in wrestling,” wrote Casanova. “He played the role perfectly, but was also one of the nicest guys you could meet. In helping him get his book out there, we became pretty close over the years and I am happy to have been his friend.”

According to The Washington Post, the 6-foot-7, 380-pound Harris suffered from declining health in recent years and had both legs amputated after suffering complications from diabetes.

Kamala’s wrestling career began in the 1970s under the direction of Bobo Brazil. His imposing frame and outlandish personality quickly identified him as a star, and by the 1980s, he catapulted into the WWF (now known as the WWE) and squared off with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, and Andre the Giant. Throughout the ’80s, Kamala competed in countless high-profile bouts, including numerous WWF World Heavyweight Championships.

After his retirement in 1987, Kamala returned to the WWF sporadically and made appearances throughout the world of wrestling. In the early 2000s, he appeared on the independent circuit for Memphis Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, among others. Kamala’s final match came in 2010 at Juggalo Championship Wrestling, an independent promotion founded by the Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.

Rest in peace, James “Kamala” Harris. You will be missed.