James Harris, better known as Kamala the Ugandan Giant, was a retired American professional wrestler who made a lasting impact in the world of wrestling during the 1980s and 1990s. Harris' wrestling career began in 1978, with him competing under various ring names, including Bad News Harris, Ugly Bear Harris, James "Sugarbear" Harris, and the Mississippi Mauler.
In 1982, Harris started his most iconic character, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, in the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis. The Kamala gimmick quickly gained popularity, and Harris took it on the road, competing in numerous promotions around the world, including the WWE, WCW, the AWA, World Class Championship Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and many more.
Throughout his career, Harris had several notable runs in the WWE, where he was managed by notable figures such as "Classy" Freddie Blassie, the Wizard (Curtis Iaukea),Mr. Fuji, Dr. Harvey Wippleman, and Reverend Slick. Harris made his pay-per-view debut at WWE's SummerSlam 1992, where he lost to the Undertaker.
Harris' feud with the Undertaker continued at Survivor Series 1992, where he was defeated in a Casket Match. In June 1995, Harris arrived in WCW as a member of "The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom. He left the promotion in October, just before Halloween Havoc 1995, due to a storyline explanation that Sullivan claimed Harris was afraid of facing Randy Savage, but in reality, Harris had left due to frustration with not getting paid.
Harris' in-ring achievements are impressive, with him being a four-time USWA (United States Wrestling Association in Memphis) Unified World Heavyweight Champion, a former Southern (Memphis) Heavyweight Champion, a former NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion, and an inductee into the Texas Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.
Tragically, Harris was forced into retirement in 2011 due to the amputation of one of his legs. Despite this, his legacy in the world of professional wrestling continues to be celebrated, and his iconic character, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, remains a beloved figure among wrestling fans.
