Chris Chavis

Biography: Chris Chavis began his wrestling career in 1989, he first made his mark in the NWA where he was known as the "American War Eagle". Before then, he went to Bethel High School and was a member of the Virginia state championship football team. Afterward he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and competed in various bodybuilding competitions. At that time he was also selling memberships for Bally’s Health Club. Doing this he had the opportunity to meet Buddy Rogers, the original "Nature Boy". Rogers encouraged Chavis to try and get into the wrestling business. Chavis did so and started training at the "Monster Factory", a wrestling school under Larry Sharpe in New Jersey.

After learning the trait and three months of training, Chavis had his first true professional wrestling match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania against Joe Thunderstorm on January 13, 1990 for the WWA. He went on to win that match. Chavis also began to appear for a promotion called the "North American WrestlingChris Chavis began his wrestling career in 1989, he first made his mark in the NWA where he was known as the "American War Eagle". Before then, he went to Bethel High School and was a member of the Virginia state championship football team. Afterward he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and competed in various bodybuilding competitions. At that time he was also selling memberships for Bally’s Health Club. Doing this he had the opportunity to meet Buddy Rogers, the original "Nature Boy". Rogers encouraged Chavis to try and get into the wrestling business. Chavis did so and started training at the "Monster Factory", a wrestling school under Larry Sharpe in New Jersey.

After learning the trait and three months of training, Chavis had his first true professional wrestling match in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania against Joe Thunderstorm on January 13, 1990 for the WWA. He went on to win that match. Chavis also began to appear for a promotion called the "North American Wrestling Association". There he soon became heavyweight champion in a win toppling Ken Shamrock. This exposed Chavis to the higher-ups of the wrestling world, namely Vincent K. McMahon, owner of the then World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). McMahon did not hesitate to sign Chavis to his soon-to-be booming business. Now in the WWF, Chavis went by the name "Tatanka" in an Native American-Indian type gimmick. Under his newfound identity he was subject to a two-year undefeated streak locking up with such household names as Lex Luger, Razor Ramon, and Yokozuna along the way.

Ending Tatanka's huge string of victories would be Ludvig Borga. After this match Yokozuna would capitalize on the all ready weakened Tatanka and cause injury which kept him out of the ring for three months. Tatanka would come back seeking revenge and was granted a match against Yokozuna for the WWF Championship. However, Tatanka also fell victim to defeat here leaving empty-handed. Tatanka would now go on to feud with Lex Luger in a series of battles, turning heel and joining Ted DiBiase's "Million Dollar Corporation". This would be the beginning of the end for Tatanka as he would soon make his last appearance with the WWF on a March 18, 1996 episode of RAW in a loss to Bret Hart, no thanks to interference from "1-2-3 Kid" Sean Waltman.

Chavis would take this time off to get things together and settle down with his family as well as finding religion. Chavis would go on an almost three year hiatus from the business before returning, but not to the big time. Chavis started to appear on the independent circuit and has done well for himself being met with success.

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