WRESTLER PROFILES

[The Patriot Gallery]	Wrestler: The Patriot Real Name: Del Wilkes Birthday: December 21, 1961 Hometown: South Carolina Marital Status: Height & Weight: 6'5" - 275 lbs. Trained by: Verne Gagne Fabulous Moolah Debut: Previous Names: The Masked Dream Weaver The Trooper (AWA) The Patriot (Japan,GWF,WCW,WWF) Finishing Move: The Full Nelson Suplex The Patriot Missile (Top Rope Shoulderblock) Favorite Moves: Uncle Slam (Full Nelson Slam) Notable Feuds: Paul Orndorff Paul Roma Harlem Heat Bret Hart Owen Hart British Bulldog
AWA World Tag Team titles (as The Trooper) w/DJ Peterson; GWF (Global Wrestling Federation) Television title defeating Buddy Landell in a Tournament (June 29, 1991); GWF (Global Wrestling Federation) North American Heavyweight title defeating Al Perez (August 23, 1991); WCW World Tag Team titles (as The Patriot) w/Marcus Bagwell (2); All Japan All-Asian Tag Team titles;
In the Beginning: Del Wilkes was a star offensive guard at the University of South Carolina long before his wrestling days.. Del Wilkes started out in the Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association wrestling under the name "the Trooper".. Del Wilkes lived up to this "Trooper" gimmick, even writing out tickets for his opponents after beating them! Global Wrestling Federation (Dallas, TEXAS) - The Patriot is Born: Del Wilkes was given the "Patriot" gimmick by booker Joe Pedicino in Global Wrestling Federation based in Dallas, Texas.. June 29, 1991: The Patriot defeated Buddy Landell in Tournament Final to be the first ever GWF Television Champion.. August 10, 1991: The Patriot defeated Al Perez in Tournament Final to capture the GWF North American title.. August 16, 1991: The Patriot vacated the North American title because Perez's feet were on the ropes when pinned. August 23, 1991: The Patriot defeated Al Perez to win the GWF North American title in the rematch. August 23, 1991: The TV title was declared vacated when The Patriot won the GWF North American Heavyweight title.. World Championship Wrestling - The Patriot: The Patriot moved on to Ted Turner's ever expanding World Championship Wrestling.. The Patriot formed a very successful tag team with Marcus Alexander Bagwell known as Stars & Stripes in WCW.. September 18, 1994 - Fall Brawl: Paul Ornforff & Paul Roma defeated Stars & Stripes to retain the Tag Team titles.. September 25, 1994: Stars & Stripes defeated Paul Ornforff & Paul Roma to win the Tag Team titles.. October 23, 1994 - Halloween Havoc: Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma defeated Stars & Stripes to win back the Tag Team titles.. November 16, 1994: Stars & Stripes defeated Paul Orndorff & Paul Roma to win their second Tag Team titles.. December 8, 1994: Booker T & Stevie Ray (Harlem Heat) defeated Stars & Stripes for the Tag Team titles.. January 25, 1995 - The Clash: Harlem Heat w/Sister Sherri defeated Stars & Stripes to retain the Tag Team titles.. February 19, 1995 Superbrawl V: Stars & Stripes defeated Dino Casanova & Romeo Valentino in a dark match. The Patriot eventually left WCW leaving Bagwell again without a partner.. World Wrestling Federation - The Patriot: The Patriot had his biggest success briefly appearing in the WWF for a feud with USA-bashing Bret Hart.. July 21, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley by Disqualification.. July 28, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated Bret "The Hitman" Hart. August 4, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated The Sultan.. August 11, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot & Ken Shamrock defeated Owen Hart & British Bulldog.. August 18, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated Vader.. September 1, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated Owen Hart by Disqualification.. September 7, 1997 - Ground Zero: Bret Hart defeated The Patriot to retain the WWF title.. September 15, 1997 - RAW: The Patriot defeated Owen Hart.. September 20, 1997 - One Night Only (In England): The Patriot defeated Flash Funk.. October 5, 1997 - Bad Blood: Bret Hart & The British Bulldog defeated Vader & The Patriot in a Flag match.. Del "The Patriot" Wilkes suffered a back injury and was forced to retire from professional wrestling.. Retirement: Del Wilkes sold the "Patriot" gimmick and mask to Tom Brandi, who regularly tours the indy scene using the name.. Del Wilkes is currently writing a book about his life and career.. May 4, 2006--Carolina Classic Wrestling: The city of Columbia gave an award to Del Wilkes, the Patriot. June 17, 2006--Carolina Classic Wrestling: American Eagle (George Hines) w/Del Wilkes defeated Bobby Fulton..