Tatanka Shoot Interview

Everyone remembers the original heyday of the World Wrestling Federation, a time when gimmicks reigned supreme. A period where a wrestler’s talent was always placed far behind the character he was given. Some careers, like Terry Taylor and Steve Keirn, ran into a brick wall when given the gimmicks of the Red Rooster and Skinner. Others, such as Mike Rotunda and Ted Dibiase, were given long runs with characters no one could ever forget in IRS and the Million Dollar Man. Chris Chavis’ Tatanka, an Indian warrior, was one character that stayed in fans’ minds for a long time, all the way to a recent appearance on Monday Night Raw! Who could forget Tatanka’s fallaway slam finisher, bizarrely named “Papoose To Go” or his treacherous heel turn on Lex Luger to join the Million Dollar Corporation? Tatanka talks about his entire career, from the early indie days, to his World Wrestling Federation stay through today in another exclusive RF VIDEO shoot interview. We all remember Tatanka vows to be an inspiration to all Native Americans, and RF VIDEO vows to be an inspiration to all the lovers of in depth interviews! Tantaka talked about all the backstage happenings during one of wrestling’s most insane eras. Talk about growing up as part of the Lumbee tribe Culturally how was your life different growing up than someone who isnt native american Did you play sports in high school Did you like wrestling or football better Do you have any good football recruiting stories How did you get into bodybuilding Was there pressure to use steroids and did you Are your joints damaged today from your years as a heavy power lifter Can you talk about your short NFL career How did you get into the business What are your thoughts on how things turned out with Bobby Rodgers He had offered to cut his finger off on an ECW show, was that typical of him Initial impressions of Buddy Rogers Initial impressions of Larry Sharpe Were you a big wrestling fan prior to this Who did you train with in the school at that time What was the Larry contract, was it fair What do you remember about your first match against Joe Thunderfoot What was the hardest thing about your training Did you train with scott levy, and if so thoughts How did you wind up working for George Scott Thoughts on George Memories of Ricky Steamboat Memories of Wahoo McDaniel Who took you under their wing Did any vets try and take advantage of you Memories of Ken Shamrock Were you there the night of the fight with him and the Nasty Boys How did you wind up in WWE Initial impressions of Vince How did you wind up with the name Tatanka What was the locker room scene like Initial impressions of Hogan Thoughts/impressions of Warrior What is your take on him? IS he as nuts as people have made him out to be. Thoughts on Randy Savage Who did you ride and room with Was there any jealousy early on from vets Did you feel the red stripe in ur hair was stereotypical Memories of your first Wrestlemania Memories of your series with Rick Martel How much did it help you being paired with him right away Did it bother you at Summerslam 92 you only had a dark match Memories of your series with Shawn Michaels Were you supposed to go over on him for the IC Title and whats the story behind it What do you think of him today as a reborn christian What is your take on the whole issue between him and Bret Thoughts on Bret When you didn’t go over for the IC title did Vince have a back up plan for you as far as a feud, program, etc What were things like during Vince’s steroid trial Memories of your series with Razor Did he have any objections to putting you over twice on tv Memories of your series with Bam Bam You wrestled Luger at the King of the Ring. Did that match have anything to do with you guys being programmed together later. Memories of teaming with the Smoking Gunns, thoughts on them Thoughts/memories of Sunny Memories of working the USWA shows against Lawler Did you object to working down there at all Thoughts on Lawler Memories of your series with Ludwig Borga Do you think your first loss should have been to him Why were you replaced at the Survivor Series and taken out of your match with Yoko and replaced with Undertaker Thoughts on your series with Yoko Did Fuji ever rib you Any good rib stories overall Thoughts on your matches with Kevin Nash Was he difficult to work with Did you witness the Clique evolve into a power unit Politically did they ever affect you How did things change after Hogan left Memories of your series with Mike Rotunda Whos idea was it to turn you heel Did you like being a heel or babyface better Did your style and psychology have to change a lot Memories of your series with Luger Was he as hard to work with as some people say Memories of teaming with Bam Bam Thoughts on Bob Holly Thoughts on teaming with Sid Thoughts overall on Sid Thoughts overall and memories of working with Jake Roberts Is he as smart as people say Why did you leave the WWE Did you leave on good terms Was there ever a chance of you going to WCW Why didn’t you go Do you regret it Could you have taken the gimmick wherever you wanted Was there ever any talks of you going into ECW What did you do during the off time Memories of working with Terry Funk in New Mexico What happened with a proposed big investment about 3 years ago to start a wrestling company with an investor from Philadelphia How did you wind up back on Raw Did you like how it went How were things different Thoughts on Vince Do you think you need to get in better shape for a full time return There were reports you were offered a deal, is that true and what is the status Do you think that the WWE today places too much of an emphasis on size and look rather than ability Why do you think the business is in a decline? What are you doing today? Have you ever refused to do a job and why Regrets Favorite and least favorite opponents In your opinion most overrated and underrated workers Can you still be a main draw in 2005 Future plans Advice for young guys Can the business turn itself around Best ribs you ever saw Road stories from anytime Are you surprised by guys like Terry Funk and Flair who have been around this long Any talks with NWATNA Thoughts on the lack of kayfabe today in wrestling Are you surprised that Bret Hart came back to a DVD with the WWE Is there anyone you didn’t get a chance to work with that you wished you would have Did you ever feel pressured to take steroids What is your favorite moment in your career What do you think is wrong with the business today Would you like to be in the WWE Hall of Fame Any thoughts on writing a book