SG> Were you a big wrestling fan growing up?
T>First of all let me say "Hau Kola" Hello My Friends! It is always a pleasure
to reach out to my fans and let them know I care and also answer some
questions that they have on their minds. For those that are not answered go
The Official Online Home of Tatanka at http://www.nativetatanka.com for the
latest news and commentary's. Coming soon to my Online Home will be Video
Taped matches of Tatanka at The WWF that you can view live with some of The
Greatest Superstars of The WWF. Now let's get to the first question of the
interview. I was not a Professional Wrestling Fan when growing up. It all
began again when Bobby Rogers started to approach me and state I could be a
star in the World of Wrestling. It was then when I started to watch and
realize that the guys I was watching were previous football players,
bodybuilders, wrestlers, and from all walks of life but all had one thing in
common; known world wide and making huge money. This was the era of Hulk
Hogan, The Warrior, L.O.D., Rick "The Model" Martel, Bobby Hennan, Gorilla
Monsoon, and many others.
SG> You were a highly recruited football player coming out of high school.
Which position did you play?
T> I played in High School both ways as a Defensive and Offensive Lineman and
was recruited at college as an outside linebacker.
SG> You were offered a contract by the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Any regrets for turning it down?
T> No. The Dolphins offered me and my agent at the time a free agent contract with the availability to increase after the first year but I decided not to due to my present income at Bally's exceeded the N.F.L. contract. Thank God also because my move with wrestling turned out way greater!
SG> At what point in time did you know you wanted to pursue a career in professional wrestling?
T> After meeting The Legend and Hall of Famer " Nature Boy Buddy Rogers" who
was my contact into the sport through Bobby Rogers who wrestles today and
does his own promotions in South Florida. We both met in Florida in a video
store looking for wrestling tapes. Bobby being impressed by my demeanor and
outstanding physique set up a meeting with Rogers where The Hall of Famer
and myself hit it off immediately. Rogers had myself call Larry Sharpe, who
ran a wrestling school in southern New Jersey called " The Monster Factory".
SG> Who were the two biggest influences on your pro wrestling career?
T> Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Wahoo McDaniels and getting the real
training in the ring by being tag team partners with both of these great
stars. These two great stars took me under their wing and taught me the
necessary basics needed to survive in the sport. Once I got to WWF it was
Rick "The Model" Martel by far!
SG> What was it like training at Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory?
T> It was during the winter so it was cold in the training facility and taking
bumps was definitely harder there. We had a group of good guys along with
Larry, which made everything go right along as far as training. I also
trained on weekends with Dennis Allen when everyone else was partying, which
Sharpe agreed on and gave us a key.
SG> You were introduced to then WWF booker George Scott by Buddy Rogers.
What is Scott doing these days?
T> Golfing every day in Sunny Florida!
SG> Do you feel the time you spent on the independent circuit prepared you for a job in the WWF?
T> Yes. I started with George Scott; the previous booker for the W.W.F. in the
early Hogan Years. He was starting his own promotion called North American
Wrestling Assoc. which eventually changed to South Atlantic Pro Wrestling.
The company was based out of Charlotte, North Carolina and this is where it
all began. They had TV and Former Stars of The WWF and WCW which added a big
plus.
SG> Which match on the independent circuit is your most memorable?
T> Working with Steamboat and Wahoo on tags at the beginning and also since
then after WWF I would have to say my matches in Australia with Barbarian
and also One Man Gang. I was Voted As The Top Wrestler of The Superstars of
Wrestling Tour during that time also.
SG> What was the WWF like in 1991?
T> It was absolutely awesome to see the guys I had seen just 1 year prior to me
getting into the business on TV. Here was Vince McMahon, Hogan, Warrior,
L.O.D., Mr. Perfect, British Bulldog, Bret Hart, Rody Piper, The Warlord and
many other great Stars with sold out houses and loud crowds.
SG> Was there resentment in the locker room about your almost immediate push?
T> I didn't feel there was any then but knowing my business as I do now I bet
there were some definitely. Undertaker made jokes about me getting my own
poster, T-Shirt, etc. but he was only joking because we were friends by then
and hung out together. I got along with everyone and that makes the
difference if they like you!
SG> Who were your closest friends in the WWF?
T> I spent time on the road with Undertaker, Charles Wright aka Papa Shango,
Kama, God Father and The Good Father and also The Samoans; Yoko, Rikishi,
and Sammy of The Headshrinkers.
SG> Was there a particular match or feud that established you as a star in the WWF?
T> It all began with Rick "The Model" Martel and exploded with Bam Bam Bigelow
and our angle and battles.
SG> Who wrote the Tatanka theme song?
T> WWF.
SG> You left the WWF and the world of pro wrestling to start a family in 1996. What brought you back to the business?
T> I always knew I would come back because I never retired. I had only wrestled for a total of 6 years at that point. It all had to do with timing and when God wanted me to return to The World of Wrestling.
SG> How tempted were you to join WCW after leaving the WWF?
T> A little but not a lot because I knew what I had to do at that point and money was not controlling me to have to make a decision to go!
SG> You have wrestled all over the world. Which international match is your most memorable?
T> Bam Bam Bigelow and IRS in Germany and Yokozuna in Montreal, Canada which is International to me and always the boys.
SG> What does the future hold for Chris Chavis?
T> There is no doubt I AM RETURNING AND MY RETURN WILL COME SOON. I have always
planned a return but I focused on greater things in life than wrestling
after my success at The WWF. I have had the offers but turned them down
because it was not the right timing for Tatanka or my family. I was in a
position that I could get away from wrestling for a while because I had done
very well financially at The WWF. Most people think that your career and
money are the most important but it is not! You can always return to your
career but starting a family by having a child and being there is important
to that new born baby. Also spending time with your wife and being there for
her is also very important. Most of all spending time with God and his Son
Jesus and helping others while they are in need is the greatest importance
of all. You will find that those that follow this lifestyle have true
success and Peace in their lives with a lot of joy and happiness. To find
out the latest info on my return to TV just follow me at
http://www.nativetatanka.com which is always updated and loaded with info
about me and the World of Pro Wrestling.
SG> What advice would give a young hopeful trying to break into the business?
T> Do not think it is easy or fake and get ready to pay your dues. It is not a
business of high flying moves but the best on top know when and what to do
in the ring at the right time. There is no shortcut to success. It only
comes by vision, hard work, and discipline.
SG> Do you have a message for you fans?
T> I know many of you are getting eager to see me on TV just as I am eager to
be there but I want the best for me and of course you the serious Tatanka
Fans. I promise I am Returning Soon and because of my wait and Timing it
will be awesome for us all and that is what I know you want just like I Do!
So just continue to follow up at my Official Site
http://www.nativetatanka.com and keep your Faith that my words are True and
Will Come to Pass! The saying that good things come to those that wait is
true. Waiting builds patience, persistence, faith, and most of all makes you
a better person inside which shows on the outside in your life with others.
When we get what we want to fast it can destroy us or even yet aid us in not
appreciating what we have and how thankful we should really be when we have
great positions of fame or authority in our life. Like always I wish you all
the best in your personal lives and that you receive all that your heart
desires and the abundance that the Creator God Himself and Jesus desires for
your life! "Pilamia Yelo" Thank You and God Bless!
Give me your initial reaction or a short statement about the following:
SG>Vince McMahon
T> Marketing Genius
SG> Eric Bischoff
T> Took Number 1 From Vince for 96 weeks
SG> Lex Luger
T> Superb Body
SG> Bret Hart
T> Excellence of Execution
SG> Owen Hart
T> Tradegy and Missed
SG> Sunny (Tammy Sytch)
T> Pretty but Crosses The Line
SG> Rick Martel
T> A Seasoned Pro and Veteran; one of the best!
SG> Scott Hall
T> Sad and I wish the Best To Him!
SG> Kevin Nash
T> Big, & Successful but not a booker
SG> Chris Chavis
T> Bringing Change and Truth that will help many!
