Del Wilkes says Fuck off and stop using my Gimmick

[Super Machine]

I heard today from Del Wilkes, who wrestled as The Patriot in Global Wrestling and in WWE.

He retired from wrestling a while back but does occationally do autograph appearances.

Wilkes called because he heard that Tom Brandi, who appears frequently in the NE as The Patriot (as well as Salvatore Sincere..often both on one show), has been telling folk that he bought the gimmick from Wilkes and is using it legally and properly. Wilkes says that is not true, and that Brandi is simply using the gimmick and trademark without his permission. Wilkes says he has not communicated with Brandi nor has seen him since 1994.

In addition Wilkes says that frequently pictures used to promote Brandi are actually his WWE pics.

I've seen promotion for Brandi where he's been called the WWE's Patriot, which clearly he was not. Brandi recently sent me pics of his two gimmicks, and one of the Patriot photos has the WWE logo in each corner.

Del Wilkes did not say whether he planned to take any action against Tom Brandi.

Wilkes asked that I get this story out.

Courtesy of the DOI.

[encyclopediagrey]

That's too bad, don't know why Brandi just cant get his imagination working. Come up with an original gimmick and find his own fame. Hopefully Wilkes takes legal action and gets him the fuck off his coat tails.
Didn't his Mommy teach him "Not yours, don't touch"?

[blacknapkins]

From a review of a Tom Brandi Shoot Interview: (Done waaay before Wilkes got his buns in a knot)

"On how he got the Patriot gimmick, he said there was a spot-show promoter who used to run all over on Army bases. He said the guy booked alot of ex-WWE guys and some up and comers like Chris Daniels at the time. He says on those shows he worked Brian Lee alot. He said the promoter wanted to use Del Wilkes, but Wilkes couldn't wrestle because his muscles became like rubberbands from all the drug/steroid use.

Brandi says Honky Tonk Man came up with the idea. HTM said Brandi has the same build and isn't on the gas so he can last. HTM called Wilkes and hooked up the Patriot gimmick for TOm. Brandi said the Patriot gimmick has added years and $$$ to his career. Brandi says he'll work some shows as the double character to get double the money. Brandi puts over HTM as the guy who hooked it all up and would've never came up with the idea himself. Brandi says not anyone could do it though, because you have to look the part. It's not like Eric Simms could be under the mask and make the gimmick work.

On Del, Brandi says if he was still around he'd stop doing the gimmick. He says Del is done with wrestling and has no problems with him. "

The full article the above quote was lifted from can be found here:
www.declarationofindependents.net/doi/pages/brandidvdmc.html

Brandi's Response to Wilkes Charges:

Tom Brandi writes:

"With all due respect to Del Wilkes, please let him know that I did nothing but respect this character. I train hard and keep my body in tip top shape, unlike the other 12 guys throughout the country that parade around as "The Patriot"

This is between Del, myself, and a dozen other pot belly Patriots across the country, not the internet. Did you know The Honky Tonk Man dresses his son up as The Patriot now and sits him at the table with him and sells Del's picture, most recently in California for Kirk White on numerous occasions.

It took Del Wilkes all these years to contact someone to contact me? All because he has one NJ appearance coming up? Then you won't hear from him again for another few years. If he wants to get back into wrestling, wrestle in front of every packed house of 50 people all over the NJ, PA, & Delaware area, well, he can have it. I don't tell people that I'm Del Wilkes, I could go as The Eagle, The Freedom Fighter, Mr. America, or any red, white, & blue themed character. I get my response from Rey Mysterio being a popular masked wrestler on Monday Night Raw, not what Del Wilkes did 12 years ago. I always liked Del and respected him, but he has to realize this is the wrestling business, and unless he plans on going after a dozen different guys(or more), it is what it is. There are a million Doink The Clowns, a dozen Patriots, and 3 Nature Boys, and what a business it is."

credit: www.declarationofindependents.net/doi/pages/index1.html