James Lamar Mitchell (born February 26, 1965) is an American professional wrestling manager, known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as James Vandenberg, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) as The Sinister Minister, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under as Father James Mitchell.
Mitchell admired comic book villains when he grew up. For inspiration of his character, Mitchell attributes the curled-up eyebrows to The Punisher on The Amazing Spider-Man (issue 129); the curled-up beard was a combination of a stereotypical devil and the Green Arrow, and the laughter was from Cesar Romero's version of the Joker and the Green Goblin. Mitchell said the red suit he wore was inspired from the red suit Richard Pryor wore on his stand-up comedy performance in Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip.
While working for TNA, Mitchell also sang at approximately ten shows a week at resorts in Florida. His act consisted of songs by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, in addition to songs akin to The Blues Brothers and The Memphis Horns. He also hosted open karaoke events at the resorts, on a weekly basis.
Mitchell appears on the Insane Clown Posse song "Ride the Tempest", from their album The Tempest. He performs a carnival barker-style introduction to the song, featuring the signature laughter of his Sinister Minister gimmick.
In wrestling[]
- Wrestlers managed
- Abdullah the Butcher
- Abyss
- Azazel
- Balls Mahoney
- Black Reign
- Brad Anderson
- Brian Lee
- Christopher Daniels
- CM Punk
- Gabriel
- The Iron Sheik
- Jerry Lynn
- Jimmy Garvin
- Judas Mesias
- Judy Martin
- Jessicka Havok
- Julio DiNero
- Kendo the Samurai
- Kobain
- Malice
- Max the Impaler
- Mike Awesome
- Mikey Whipwreck
- Moondog Spot
- Mortis
- Paul Orndorff
- Peggy Lee Leather
- Prince Kharis
- Raven
- Rellik
- Rick Michaels
- Shane Douglas
- Sinn
- Slash
- Su Yung
- Tempest
- Vampiro
- Yoshihiro Tajiri
- Wrath
- Teams and stables managed
- The Rare Oddities
- The Unholy Alliance
- The Disciples of the New Church
- The Gathering
- The Lost Boys
- Nicknames
- "Devil"
- "The Sinister Minister"
- Entrance themes
- Extreme Championship Wrestling
- "Sinister Music" by Boner
- "Holy Man" by One Minute Silence
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling / IMPACT Wrestling
- "Take You Under" by Dale Oliver
- "Avé Vampire" by Dale Oliver
- Extreme Championship Wrestling