John Tatum Shoot Interview

RF VIDEO, your trusted source for the best shoot interviews available, is happy to deliver a 1980s wrestling superstar from two well remembered, and beloved, promotions; World Class Championship Wrestling and Bill Watts’ UWF. Hollywood John Tatum, the man who brought us Hyatt International, sat down with us in the studios to record a very entertaining shoot that goes into great detail on some of the most amazing years, and territories, in recent wrestling history. Tatum discusses his entire career, including how he met the lovely Missy Hyatt and got his first break with Fritz Von Erichs’ World Class. All of the big names of World Class were talked about, including: Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez, Sunshine, Rick Rude, and, of course, the Von Erichs. Tatum even talked to us about the disastrous appearance of cousin Lance Von Erich, which is one World Class memory the entire state of Texas would like to keep buried! You’ll be very surprised to hear Hollywood’s thought on that subject. It was in Bill Watts fabled UWF that Tatum received the lion’s share of recognition during his career, and in this exclusive interview, John discussed the ins and outs of the promotion while giving his thoughts on all the big angles and wrestlers during his stay with the company. You knew we would have to confront Tatum point blank about what happened between Missy Hyatt and Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert, and Tatum answered every question we threw at him while giving an amazing recollection of how the events went down so many years ago. Tatum finished his career after stints in USWA and Global, so John was more than happy to give his thoughts on Memphis’ own Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee while also dishing the dirt on guys like Scott “Raven” Levy, Mick Foley, and Jerry Lynn. We concluded the interview by getting Tatum’s thoughts on anything and everything in the world of wrestling from the past through today. You wont want to miss this fantastic addition to the RF VIDEO shoot interview series! Were you a fan growing up Is it true you grew up with Michael Hayes, Robert Gibson, and Percy Pringle Who did you enjoy watching How did you break in, who trained you What was his training like What was the hardest thing to pick up in training Memories of your first match Is it true you started out being booked as Michael Hayes’ cousin How heavy of a partier was Michael back then Did anyone mentor your and if so, who What were some of the territories you worked early on in your career Memories of the mid-atlantic area Did anyone mentor you there How did you meet Missy Hyatt Early memories of Missy Was she a fan Was she hesitant about valeting early on How did you get into World Class Initial memories of Fritz Initial memories of the Von Erichs How crazy was the party lifestyle in WCCW Are the stories about the Von Erichs being heavy partiers true Who was your favorite Von Erich and why Memories of your series with Iceman Parsons What happened the night Iceman no showed your match and you got the belt What do you think happened to Gino Hernandez Memories of Gino Memories of your series with Chris Adams Did you and Missy get along well on the road Memories of your series with Sunshine and Scott Casey Do you think Sunshine tried to test Missy Did Missy get you any heat with the office Who did you and Missy travel with Were you on the Israel shows Memories teaming with Rick Rude Thoughts when they brought in a new Von Erich, Lance Memories of working the Von Erichs in Dallas and Ft Worth What was the groupie scene like in World Class Whos idea was it to put you with Jack Victory Early impressions of Jack What do you remember about when Mike almost died Memories of your World Class series with Missing Link Memories of Jake Roberts What was the road schedule like Why did you leave Did Ken Mantell leaving as booker and going to Watts influence your decision to leave Did you leave on good terms with Fritz Favorite matches from WCCW How did you wind up in the UWF In 1986 you were charged with possession of marijuana, what happened? Early impressions of Bill Watts Compare Bill and Fritz How different were the locker rooms from UWF to WCCW Was it by design or coincidence that you and Jack went to the UWF together Early impressions of Eddie Gilbert Did Eddie tell you what his plans were for you initially Memories of the mud matches between Missy and Dark Journey Was there legit heat between the two of them Memories of matches with the Fantastics How strict was Bill Watts What was the road schedule like Did anyone like Crockett or Vince ever send feelers your way during this time Who’s idea was it to merge your group with Gilberts Memories of a young Sting and Rick Steiner Memories of Steve Williams Memories of the Freebirds at this time Memories of Hacksaw Duggan Memories of matches with Terry Taylor Memories of working the Missing Link. In his book he says he used to do a lot of drugs back in those days. Were there ever any problems working with him Who’s idea was it to split Missy from you Were you guys for it What was the first sign that you thought something was up with her and Eddie How did you confirm the affair between the two of them Who did you confront first? Missy or Eddie Did you feel betrayed by the boys who knew How do you think they pulled it off What was Bill Watts’ reaction to the mess Who’s idea was it to make a program out of it on screen Did anything between you and Eddie ever turn into a shoot Was it hard sharing a locker room with Missy after this Are you surprised they got married Are you surprised at the longevity Missy had in the business Thoughts on her today and her reputation Did you read her book and if so, thoughts How did you wind up leaving the UWF Did you leave on good terms with Bill Thoughts on his recent revelations of being a born again Christian Are you surprised he wound up selling to Crockett How did you wind up back in Texas Did you try to work for Crockett or Vince Did Fritz change at all What happened when Tony Atlas no showed your tag title match and you guys wound up with the belts Memories of Bruiser Brody Did you and Jack make a pact to stay together Do you think that your legacy as a team is underrated Memories of your series with the Simpsons Memories teaming with Jimmy Jack Funk Were you surprised when you found out Kerry had his foot amputated Thoughts on how the whole Von Erich played out Are you surprised that Kevin is the lone remaining Von Erich How did you wind up in the USWA Who was booking at the time Thoughts on Jerry Lawler Thoughts on your series with Bill Dundee Thoughts on Global Thoughts on teaming with Rod Price Memories of a young Mick Foley Memories of a young Scott Levy What did you think when you watched the Kid-Lynn matches Memories of working with Jerry Lynn Memories of working with Austin Idol Was it strange working with Eddie again in Global Is it true that Eddie gave you free reign in how you wanted to book your angles Memories of being managed by Gary Hart What lead to your retirement in 1995 Do you regret it Were you surprised at how successful Percy went on to become How much do you miss it Were you surprised to see Jack last as long as he has Thoughts on how the business has changed since you were in it Thoughts on the disappearance of the territories Do you get asked to do a lot of reunion shows What have you been doing with yourself since your retirement Do you still keep in touch with anyone Thoughts on the death of Eddie Gilbert Thoughts on Kerry and Mike’s suicides Is it true that you are going to open a school Do you have any regrets In ECW a few years ago Steve Corino mentioned you in a promo, what were your thoughts when you heard that Did Paul Heyman ever try and bring you in Thoughts on the lack of kayfabe today What do you miss most and least about being a full time wrestler Best ribs you ever saw more road stories Are you surprised by guys like Terry Funk and Flair who have been around this long Favorite guys to work with and why Least fav guys to work with and why Can the southern style of wrestling still get over today What do you think about Vince buying WCW and limiting the options for wrestlers today What makes someone a good heel in your opinion Is there anyone that made it that surprised you and is there anyone who didn’t make it who you thought would Do you still watch wrestling What are your thoughts on all of the deaths of the past few years and which in particular hit you hardest Thoughts on UFC and comparisons to pro wrestling Do you want to write a book Do people recognize you