Kamala Talks Losing His Legs, His Gimmick, WWE

Last week, Wrestling Rumors noted former Superstar Kamala had been hospitalized with ongoing health issues. To compliment the story, Bleacher Report has released an in-depth look at Kamala, real name Jim Harris, and his struggle to survive. Below are some of the highlights of the piece.

He talked about the moment he debuted his Kamala gimmick, at the behest of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler:

Copying a design he’d seen in a painting by artist Frank Frazetta, Lawler painted Harris’ face in the locker room shortly before their match. When finished, he turned the mirror toward his new protege and asked him if he was embarrassed.

“I told him, ‘I’m not embarrassed to do nothing,'” Harris says now. “I was happy. I’d always wanted something like that. It gave me an identity.

“When I was walking to the ring that night, the police had to hold everyone back. Everyone wanted to get a look at me or take a picture. It gave me goose bumps. Lawler acted like he was scared to death of me. I was trying to keep from laughing. He was the one that created me.”

After the match, Harris and Lawler saw each other in the dressing room and hugged. They knew what happened moments earlier was the beginning of something special.

In 2011, he had one of his legs amputated, with the next one not coming much later. Harris says it was all due to him ignoring doctors’ advice on how to treat his diabetes.

“I didn’t even want to look down at first,” Harris says. “But when I came home (from the hospital), I would look down, and I’d cry a little. I’d think, ‘I’m not normal, am I? I’m not normal anymore. People are going to treat me like I’m not normal.’ But I made it through. I made it through.

“I still have crying spells, but they’re not as bad as they used to be.”

Harris had a rocky relationship with WWE, who many believe underpaid him (as did he).

Asked to comment on its relationship with Harris, WWE released this statement:

“During his time at WWE and the other organizations he performed for, Jim Harris’s larger-than-life character, Kamala, resonated with fans around the world. Jim had several stints with WWE, where he was given every opportunity to succeed, often being paired with such legends as Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker.

“Ultimately, Jim was the one who made the decisions to leave WWE. WWE appreciates the contributions he made to our organization, and we send him our best wishes as he continues to fight health challenges.”

More of the heartbreaking read can be found here.

Editor’s Note

This is a hard, hard read. But excellent journalism from the outlet here. Best wishes to him.

Follow @JonAlbaSFC