Former WCW and WWE wrestler Del Wilkes, better known as The Patriot has passed away at the age of fifty-nine. PWInsider has reported that Wilkes’ mother stated that his cause of death was a heart attack.
Wilkes, who made his debut in the 1980’s, transitioned into wrestling after a successful college football career. Beginning his career in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association under the gimmick of The Trooper. He would stay with the promotion until its 1990 closure.
After the AWA’s closure, Wilkes would move onto the GWF (Global Wrestling Federation) where he would become The Patriot. He had a highly successful run in the company, becoming a two-time North American Heavyweight Champion, amongst a series of other accolades.
During the next few years, Del Wilkes would wrestle in a series of companies, including a brief stint in the WWF(E), and a longer spell in AJPW. He would then head to WCW, where he would become a two-time Tag Team Champion with Marcus Alexander Bagwell the future Buff Bagwell.
After leaving WCW, Wilkes would head back to AJPW, before ultimately returning to the WWF for the final run of his career. Again donning The Patriot gimmick, he would feud with the anti-American Bret Hart. Even at one stage facing off against “The Hitman” in a WWF World Heavyweight Championship match at Ground Zero: In Your House.
He would remain with the company till his release in early 1998. Where he quietly retired due to a torn triceps suffered in the WWF.
All of us at eWN send our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Mr Del Wilkes.
