Andre Uriel Bates

{{Infobox professional wrestler "Psycho Klown"
 * name       = Andre Uriel Bates
 * birth_name = Andre Uriel Bates
 * names      = "The Memphis Giant"

}} Andre Uriel Bates born (March 31, 1956), best known as “The Memphis Giant”, was an American professional wrestler from the early 1990’s until his retirement in 2005. He was one of the largest professional wrestlers in history, standing at 7’9” and weighing in at 575 lbs.
 * height     = {{height|ft=7|in=9
 * weight     = {{convert|575|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
 * birth_date = {{birth date|1956|3|31|df=y}}
 * birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee
 * billed     = "Memphis, Tennessee"
 * trainer    = William Bates
 * debut      = 1990
 * retired    = 2005

Andre has held championships in almost every company he wrestled for, including; world, intercontinental, United States, hardcore, television, internet, and tag team championships.

He is also well known for being one half of the tag team “Bad Blood” with his tag team partner Scott “Dagger” Stonewall.

Andre Uriel Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee to William and Isbell Bates. As a child, he displayed symptoms of his gigantism very early, reaching a height of 6’4” and a weight of 252 lbs by the age of 13.

After graduating High School, Andre joined the Memphis Police Department and served in the Motorcycle Squad.

Law Enforcement Career
After graduating High School, Andre joined the Memphis Police Department, serving in the Motorcycle Squad. He eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant.

On July 8th, 1984, Andre was shot in the head during a traffic stop. He was placed in a medically induced coma for seven months. Though he showed no sign of brain damage, he was left with a hearing impairment. This led him to retire from the Police Department.

Early Career
During rehabilitation, Andre was introduced to professional wrestling. He tried out for a local Memphis Wrestling company, and eventually was signed to the DOWF in 1990. His first gimmick in professional wrestling was as the “Psycho Klown”, an oversized evil clown, and member of the Psycho Circus, a stable in which he met “The Crow” Eric Draven (Alexander James). Andre was never happy with the Psycho Klown gimmick, and eventually dropped it in favour of his true identity.

Dark Riders Gang
In 1992, Andre Bates and Eric Draven teamed together with Scott “Dagger” Stonewall and Sickle to form the HAES, which would eventually become the Dark Riders Gang. Andre and Scott Stonewall were paired into a tag team dubbed “Bad Blood”. It was as Bad Blood that Andre and Scott earned most of their tag team championships.

Personal Life
Andre is married to Elizabeth James-Bates, who wrestled under the name Pandora briefly in the mid 90’s. They have two sons, Thomas Uriel Bates (born October 26, 1983), and Jefferson Davis Bates (born November 4th, 1993). Thomas Uriel Bates has become a professional wrestler in the WCF, while Jefferson Davis Bates is currently in training to become a wrestler.

In Wrestling

 * Finishing moves
 * "The Badge": Full Nelson Slam turned into Chokeslam


 * Signature moves
 * Bear hug
 * Big boot
 * Powerbomb
 * Body slam
 * Chokeslam
 * Piledriver
 * Clothesline
 * Running Clothesline
 * Flying Elbow Drop
 * Headbutt
 * Knee strike
 * Mounted punches
 * Stomp


 * Managers
 * "The Crow" Eric Draven
 * Pandora


 * Nicknames
 * "The Memphis Giant"
 * "Psycho Klown"


 * Entrance Themes
 * "Click Click Boom" Saliva
 * "Fuel" Metallica
 * "Run Like Hell" Kittie

Championships and accomplishments
Records Lost