Tatanka (wrestler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tatanka
Tatanka in March 2017
Birth name	Chris Chavis
Born	(1961-06-08) June 8, 1961 (age 64) Pembroke, North Carolina, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Dawn Doyle ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1994)​ Michelle Chavis ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	4
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	The Legend Tatanka War Eagle
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Billed weight	285 lb (129 kg)
Billed from	Pembroke, North Carolina, U.S.
Trained by	Larry Sharpe
Debut	January 13, 1990

Chris Chavis (born June 8, 1961) is an American professional wrestler. He is known by his ring name Tatanka. He is part of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

Tatanka is famous for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which is now called WWE. He wrestled there from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2005 to 2007. His wrestling name, Tatanka, comes from the Lakota language. It means "bison".

Tatanka's Early Life and Sports

Chris Chavis was very athletic from a young age. He started competing in powerlifting, which is a sport where you lift heavy weights.

Bodybuilding and Football Interests

He also got into bodybuilding. His first contest was Mr. Virginia Beach, where he placed second. Chris won many bodybuilding competitions. However, he decided not to become a professional bodybuilder.

From 1985 to 1990, he worked for a health and fitness company. He even became a manager there. In 1987, Chris tried out for the Miami Dolphins football team during an NFL player strike. He made the team, but he decided not to join. He was already earning good money at his job. In 1989, Chris left his job to study accounting.

Tatanka's Professional Wrestling Journey

Starting His Wrestling Career (1989–1990)

In 1989, Chris Chavis met a famous wrestler named "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers. This meeting happened in Florida. Rogers told Chris to call Larry Sharpe, who ran a wrestling school called the Monster Factory.

Chris had his first wrestling match on January 13, 1990. He wrestled as "Tatanka" in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rogers also introduced Chris to George Scott. Scott was starting his own wrestling company called the North American Wrestling Association. Chris wrestled there as "War Eagle" Chris Chavis. He was even voted one of the top new wrestlers of 1990 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In 1990, he also won the South Atlantic Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. Soon after, he signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Time in the World Wrestling Federation (1991–1996)

Tatanka's Undefeated Streak (1991–1993)

Tatanka made his television debut in the WWF on February 1, 1992. He quickly became a fan favorite, meaning people cheered for him. He performed a special war dance before his matches. He also had a red stripe dyed in his hair, like a mohawk.

The WWF promoted Tatanka as an undefeated wrestler. This meant he never lost a match by pinfall or submission on TV. His first big rivalry was against Rick Martel. Tatanka won their match at WrestleMania VIII. This was his first time wrestling at a major pay-per-view event. In May 1992, Tatanka won a huge 40-man battle royal. He then defeated Rick Martel again at Survivor Series.

At WrestleMania IX, Tatanka got his first chance to win a championship. He faced Shawn Michaels for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Tatanka won the match, but it was by disqualification. This means Michaels kept his title because a championship cannot change hands on a disqualification.

Tatanka's undefeated streak on TV ended on October 30, 1993. He lost to Ludvig Borga after Borga hit him with a steel chair. After the match, WWF champion Yokozuna attacked Tatanka. Tatanka was out of action for three months. He returned in early 1994. He was supposed to wrestle Borga again, but Borga got injured. Tatanka then defeated Bam Bam Bigelow at the Royal Rumble.

Joining the Million Dollar Corporation (1994–1996)

Tatanka was honored by other wrestlers and a Lumbee tribesman. He received a special Lumbee tribe chief headdress. Later, he had a storyline feud with Irwin R. Schyster.

In the summer of 1994, Tatanka joined Ted DiBiase's group, the Million Dollar Corporation. This meant he became a villain, and fans started to boo him. He had a big rivalry with Lex Luger.

In 1995, Tatanka had another feud with Bam Bam Bigelow. Tatanka teamed with Sycho Sid at the King of the Ring event. They lost to Bigelow and Diesel.

Tatanka was suspended from wrestling for a short time in August 1995. He returned to the WWF in early 1996. He competed in the Royal Rumble event. Tatanka wrestled his last televised match in the WWF on March 19, 1996. He left the WWF that spring to focus on his family and spiritual life. He continued to wrestle for smaller wrestling companies.

Wrestling Around the World (1996–2003)

After leaving WWF, Tatanka wrestled for many different wrestling companies. He wrestled in New York, winning the UCW Heavyweight Championship. He also won the Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Championship in 1998.

Tatanka wrestled in Florida, Australia, England, Canada, and Ireland. In 2000, he won the i-Generation Wrestling Australasian Championship. After 2003, Tatanka took a break from wrestling for over two years.

Returning to WWE (2005–2007)

Rivalry with MNM (2005−2006)

Eugene and Tatanka in the ring during Tatanka's return in August 2005

On August 1, 2005, Tatanka returned to WWE for a special match. He then returned full-time at the end of 2005. He competed in the Royal Rumble match in January 2006. He then moved to the SmackDown! brand.

As a fan favorite, Tatanka teamed with Matt Hardy. They defeated MNM, who were the Tag Team Champions at the time. This win happened at No Way Out. Tatanka later had a special video shown on TV. It showed him being adopted into the Oglala Sioux Tribe. When he returned to wrestling, he used a new finishing move called "Wakinyan," which means "Thunder" in Lakota.

New Rivalries and Leaving WWE (2006−2007)

In September 2006, Tatanka started a losing streak. He felt that referees were making unfair decisions in his matches. This made him very frustrated. On October 27, Tatanka attacked a referee and his tag team partner, Bobby Lashley. This meant he became a villain again.

The next week, he appeared with new warpaint. He explained that his losing streak reminded him of the struggles his people had faced. He said he was calling on his ancestors to become a "new warrior." Tatanka asked to be released from his WWE contract on January 19, 2007. He said he wanted to return to WWE someday.

Back to the Independent Wrestling Scene (2007–present)

Since 2007, Tatanka has continued to wrestle around the world. He has toured Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom. He also wrestled in Danish Pro Wrestling (DPW).

In 2009, Tatanka appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He also wrestled in Scotland. In 2012, he teamed with the 1-2-3 Kid and Aldo Montoya in a tournament. In 2014, Tatanka won the DPW Tag Team Championship with Rick Dominick.

Another Return to WWE (2010–present)

Special Appearances (2010−present)

Tatanka has made several special appearances in WWE since 2010. On November 15, 2010, he appeared backstage on a special "Old School Raw" show.

On November 3, 2015, WWE announced that Tatanka signed a "Legends contract." This means he is still connected to WWE and can make special appearances. On April 3, 2016, Tatanka competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32. He was one of the last wrestlers to be eliminated. On January 4, 2021, Tatanka appeared on "Raw Legends Night."

Tatanka's Personal Life

Chris Chavis and his wife, Michelle, have four children.

Tatanka in Video Games

Tatanka is a playable character in several wrestling video games. These include WWF Royal Rumble and WWF Rage in the Cage. He also appears in WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, and WWE 2K19.

Tatanka's Championships and Awards

Tatanka as DWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1997

Tatanka has won many championships and awards throughout his wrestling career:

• All-Star Wrestling
  • ASW Legends Championship (1 time)
• Athletik Club Wrestling
  • ACW German Championship (1 time)
• Classic Wrestling Entertainment
  • CWE Rhein-Neckar-Wrestling Championship (1 time)
• Covey Promotions
  • Covey Pro Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Dansk Pro Wrestling
  • DPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rick Dominick
• Deutsche Wrestling Allianz
  • DWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• German Hurricane Wrestling
  • GHW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• i-Generation Superstars of Wrestling
  • i-Generation Australasian Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
• Independent Pro Wrestling Germany
  • IPW Germany Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Demolition Davies
• International Wrestling Superstars
  • Wrestler of the Year (2003)
• Israeli Pro Wrestling Association
  • IPWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Italian Wrestling Superstar
  • IWS Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Maximum Force Wrestling
  • MFW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Primal Warpath
• North American Wrestling Association
  • Mercedes Benz 400 SL Tournament (1990)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 279 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003
  • Ranked No. 40 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1994
• South Atlantic Pro Wrestling
  • SAPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Stampede Wrestling
  • Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Top Rope Championship Wrestling
  • TRCW International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• United States Wrestling Association
  • USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• World Wrestling Federation
  • Slammy Award (1 time)
    • Greediest (1994)
• Other titles
  • IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

See also

In Spanish: Tatanka para niños