.jpeg) | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jimmie Lee Banks[4][3] (1956-05-14)May 14, 1956[2] |
| Died | July 27, 1982(1982-07-27) (aged 26)[2][5] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Ape Andrews[1] Apeman Andrews[1] Jimmy Banks[1] Joe Joe Andrews[1] Jojo Andrews[1] Kasavubu[1] Sugar Bear Brown[1] Tiger Jackson[2] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[3][1] |
| Billed weight | 330 lb (150 kg)[3][1] |
| Billed from | Uganda[3] |
| Trained by | Johnny Powers[2] |
| Debut | February 15, 1975[2][1] |
Jimmie Lee Banks (May 14, 1956 – July 27, 1982) was an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances inStampede Wrestling under thering nameKasavubu and in theWorld Wide Wrestling Federation under the ring nameJojo Andrews.[4][3]
Banks was trained by Canadian wrestlerJohnny Powers.[2] He started wrestling in February 1975 at the age of 18 forBig Time Wrestling inDetroit, Michigan as "Jimmy Banks".[6]
In early 1976, Banks debuted in theWorld Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) under the ring name "Jojo Andrews". He wrestled regularly onWWWF Championship Wrestling, generally losing to more established stars. His regular opponents includedJosé González,Bobo Brazil,Larry Zbyszko,Bob Backlund, andTony Garea. In February 1977, Banks andBaron Mikel Scicluna unsuccessfully challengedBilly White Wolf andChief Jay Strongbow for theWWWF Tag Team Championship. Banks left the WWWF in June 1977.[7]
In 1977, Banks began wrestling forStu Hart'sStampede Wrestling promotion inCalgary, Alberta, Canada. He was originally known as "Tiger Jackson", before being renamed "Kasavubu". Billed from Uganda, he became one of the territory's top heels,managed by J. R. Foley.[4][3]
His initial opponents includedJohn Quinn,Gil Hayes,Rick Martel, andGene Kiniski. In January 1978, he formed a short-livedtag team withCuban Assassin. The peak of his career in Stampede Wrestling came on September 22, 1978, when he defeatedPaddy Ryan in ano disqualification, no count-outs,two out of three falls match in theVictoria Pavilion to win theStampede North American Heavyweight Championship, the promotion's most prestigious title. He dropped the title to Alo Leilani on November 12, 1978 after a handful of defences.[5][8][9] Kasavubu left Stampede Wrestling later that year.[8]
Banks made two tours of Japan withInternational Wrestling Enterprise (IWE) in 1978 as "the Kasavubu". His first tour ran from February to March 1978 as part of IWE's "Big Challenge Series", with Jones competing against opponents such asRusher Kimura,Animal Hamaguchi, andMighty Inoue. During the tour, he teamed on several occasions with fellowgaijinKiller Brooks. Banks made his second tour from June to July 1978 as part of IWE's "Big Summer Series". In July 1978, Banks unsuccessfully challenged Kimura for theIWA World Heavyweight Championship in acage match inAkita Prefecture, losing by knockout.[10]
After making a handful of appearances with theWest Virginia-based Three Rivers Wrestling Association as "Apeman Andrews" in early 1979, Banks returned to the World Wide Wrestling Federation - since renamed theWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF) - in mid-1979, where he was once again named "Jojo Andrews".[11] In October 1979, he teamed withJosé Estrada and then Billy Coleman to unsuccessfully challengeIvan Putski andTito Santana for theWWF Tag Team Championship. In December 1979, he teamed withAllen Coage to unsuccessfully challengeRiki Choshu andSeiji Sakaguchi for theNWA North American Tag Team Championship. Banks' second run with the WWF lasted until May 1980, when he left the company to return to Stampede Wrestling.[7]
Banks returned to Stampede Wrestling in May 1980. Later that month, he unsuccessfully challengedBret Hart for theStampede North American Heavyweight Championship. The following month, he teamed withDynamite Kid to defeatBret Hart andKeith Hart forStampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship. The Hart Brothers regained the title later that month. In July 1980, Banks teamed withMr. Sakurada to win the titles for a second time; they held the titles until September 1980, when they lost toHercules Ayala andJim Neidhart. In September and October, Banks teamed with a series of partners in unsuccessful attempts to regain the titles. Banks' tenure in Stampede Wrestling came to a sudden end in November 1980 due to health issues.[3][5][8][12]
Banks returned to the ring in 1981 with theWindsor, Ontario-basedSuperstars of Wrestling promotion. He wrestled his final recorded match in February 1982, appearing with theInternational Wrestling Federation inAllentown, Pennsylvania as Jojo Andrews.[13][14]
Banks suffered fromdiabetes-related health problems; at one point, he had been using adialysis machine in between matches. He returned to the United States to receive akidney transplant from his brother.[9] On July 27, 1982, Banks suffered a fatalheart attack while undergoing the transplant surgery.[3] He was 26 years old. That summer, a memorial show was held in Banks' hometown to raise money for his family; wrestlers appearing on the show includedLarry Winters,Ed Bonzo, andZoltan the Great.
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