SmashWrestling Interview

Interview with Tatanka! by Mike Aldren of EWN & SmashWrestling.com 9/00 This interview was featured in our Essential Wrestling Newsletter in issue 4 if you haven't signed up for it yet then don't forget to do so when you finish reading this!

MIKE ALDREN: Chris, firstly thanks for allowing us five minutes to talk with you, you must be very busy so I'll get straight to our questions. You left the WWF in late 1996 taking two years off, last year you made a return to the squared circle. We here at EWN are huge fans and know you've been booked almost every weekend for the last year or so. Why did Tatanka leave the WWF, what has he been up to and have you any plans to return to a major promotion any time soon?


CHRIS CHAVIS: It was a down time at the Federation and everyone was going to WCW which eventually made them #1. I had the offers from Bishoff personally to come down and be highlighted on the Nitro Show but decided not to and decided to spend time with my wife, start a family, and get real serious with my relationship with God. I have been wrestling world wide for the last 2 years and doing awesome and have been known as the #1 talent asked for on indy's world wide. I have had many offers but it was not the right timing, but you will see the Native make his move in the near future for sure!


MA: You say that when you left the WWF it was at time when lots of superstars were leaving. What was prompting all these stars to jump ship, surely it can't all be down to money?


CC: It was due to many things, Vince (McMahon) and WCW spending TV time to cut at each other instead of focusing on wrestling, Vince getting out of his court dealings and not keeping promises to certain talent, WCW offering big contracts which at the time Vince could not do, and several guys were already there that was helping to get the talent to WCW and put Vince under which almost happened.


MA: Since you have been away from the wrestling world a lot has happened. Steve Austin has evolved to become, probably, the most popular WWF superstar of all time as has Goldberg in WCW. Bret Hart left the WWF in one of the most dramatic events this business has ever seen, his brother the late Owen Hart tragically passed away. What's your opinion on these events and where do you see wrestling in 10 years time?


CC: Wrestling has totally changed and changed for the worst. Yes; we have had the biggest business in wrestling of all time but we have sacrificed what is most important our morals. Our young kids and teenagers are seeing things they do not need to see and we have also got away from the beauty of our business, wrestling. Guys are doing stuff that makes them look foolish and also things that are not needed such as Owen and you can not make that up; he's gone! Wrestling will change and change soon because the fans are tired of the interviews and backstage dramas. I will tell you this; my recent tour to Australia was awesome and left many fans making strong statements about me and One Man Gang and also my match with Barbarian as the best match on the card by far but the best match they had seen in years. That is a strong statement with the talent in wrestling today; they want to be entertained but entertained by a great story line with an awesome match in the ring!


MA: One final question Chris, you spent many years and hundreds of days on the road whilst in the WWF. Any amusing anecdotes or fun memories that particularly stick out
for you?


CC: There is so much to remember and we could talk for days but I would have to say the great memories of going world-wide to places you had never been and pulling up to those sold out arenas and working in buildings with the intensity from the fans as you stepped
through the entrance and going out and giving 100% for your fans and yourself and listening to those fans get involved in your match all the way to the bell. That's the greatest!


MA: Thanks for your time Chris, we hope to see you back in a major federation ring soon.


CC: Thanks Mike, and thank your readers for supporting The Native American Tatanka!

If using ANY portion of this interview you must give full credit to Mike Aldren and www.SmashWrestling.com.

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