Jake Roberts Says Kamala Deserves To Be In The WWE Hall Of Fame
Jake Roberts believes that WWE should induct the late Kamala – real name James Harris – into the Hall of Fame.
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was headlined by The Undertaker and also included Vader, The Steiner Brothers, and Sharmell.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is something that always stirs debate among wrestling fans and former wrestlers, as everyone comments on who they think is deserving of the recognition.
In the most recent episode of his DDP Snake Pit podcast with Diamond Dallas Page, Jake Roberts discussed who he believes is deserving of a spot among WWE’s greats, saying that Kamala should be inducted. However, Roberts also admitted that Kamala’s negative comments about the company following his retirement could keep him out.
“There’s another guy who I think should definitely be in there and I’m sure because of things that were said and done he’ll probably never get there, and that’s Kamala. Kamala was a great character and he made a lot of money. James Harris was a sweet, sweet man. What a voice he had as a singer. He could sing like a bird. You would never have thought a country and western singer, he’d made you cry, man.
“He had some really bad health problems and he became very bitter. He just wanted help and he said some things that, of course, are going to stick and will probably keep him out of the hall, but I would have loved to see James there.”
Harris was forced to retire from the ring back in 2011 after complications from diabetes led to him having his left leg amputated. The following year, his right leg was also amputated. ‘The Ugandan Giant’ sadly passed away on August 9th, 2020.
In 2016, Harris joined a class-action lawsuit against WWE which alleged that wrestlers had not only sustained traumatic brain injuries during their time competing for the promotion but also that WWE concealed the risk of injury.
Jake Roberts went on to talk about how he would change the system used to determine who enters the Hall of Fame. The AEW star believes a new voting system should be implemented to give more people a voice in who should be inducted, saying that he feels there are a lot of people who should not have gotten there.
“I still had a little sore spot in the back of my mouth that it should have happened years before [being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame]. Because I’ve seen so many people that went in who I feel shouldn’t have gotten there. That’s my only beef with the Hall of Fame, is that there are people in there that shouldn’t be. I think it needs to be taken to the people, maybe given a vote.
“Maybe the guys in the Hall of Fame should vote for who comes in next. The system they’re using now stinks. Whether it be Hunter or whoever, I just don’t like the system they use and they put people in there who have nothing to do with wrestling. You know wrestling, there should be something out there just for wrestlers.”
The former WWE Intercontinental Champion also noted that any prospective inductees should have wrestled for at least five years.
“At least five years. At a point where, you don’t have to be the main event, but you would have to be someone who shook the business. That went out and did the work. That’s the thing, gotta be one hundred percent in. Popularity has to be a part of it. You know, if the fans gravitated towards you, or rose you up, definitely. There’s so much to be considered.”
Jake Roberts was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2014 alongside The Ultimate Warrior, Lita, Paul Bearer, Carlos Colon Sr, and Scott Hall as Razor Ramon.
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.