By Elaine Blaisdell
elaine@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer

RIDGELEY — On Saturday, June 7 Covey Promotions will hold a Pro Wrestling fundraiser for the first time in Ridgeley at the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department.
Performing on the card will be WWE Native American Superstar “Tatanka,” aka Chris Chavis, who will face off against “Big” Ace Montana.” Also participating in the event will be 10-year veteran tag team The Highway Men, comprised of Leslie Leatherman and Jake  Davis. In addition, Cody Covey and  Jake Davis will be facing off in a blood match.
Chavis is a Native American professional wrestler best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment from 1991 to 1996 and from 2005 to 2007. From 1991 to 1993 he was undefeated in WWE. His ring name is a Lakota a word that literally means “bull buffalo.” He is descended from the Lumbee Native American tribe.
In 1987 Chavis received many tryouts for the National Football League, from teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, and the Los Angeles Raiders. He decided to pursue a career with the Dolphins. Chavis was one of 20 hopefuls offered a deal out of approximately 2,000 tryouts. The Dolphins offered him a free agent contract with the availability to increase after the first year. However, he declined, since his income at Bally’s exceeded the value of the contract.
In 1989, Chavis left Bally’s to pursue a wrestling career. “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers was his contact into the sport.  Rogers had Chavis call Larry Sharpe, who ran a wrestling school in southern New Jersey called “The Monster Factory.” Sharpe had previously trained such wrestlers as Bam Bam Bigelow and The Godfather.
Tatanka’s first match came against Joe Thunderstorm in Philadelphia on Jan. 13, 1990. After coming back to Buddy Rogers, he took Chavis to George Scott, the booker for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 80’s Hulk Hogan era.
Scott was starting his own promotion called the North American Wrestling Association, later known as South Atlantic Pro Wrestling. Chavis wrestled under the name “The War Eagle” Chris Chavis, and he was voted third runner up for Rookie Of The Year in Pro Wrestling Illustrated for 1990. Also in 1990, he became The South Atlantic Heavyweight Champion by beating Ken Shamrock. Not long after, he was signed to a WWF contract.
Chavis made his debut into the WWF in late 1991 under his given name. He took on the name Tatanka soon afterwards. During his WWF run, Tatanka was best known for accumulating a significant undefeated streak nearly two years long, defeating many major names such as Rick Martel and Shawn Michaels. Tatanka was also known for his war dance, the Lumbee tribal war cry that preceded his entrance to the ring, and a red stripe dyed in the middle of his hair.
In 1996, Tatanka left the WWF, citing family and spiritual issues. Since the WWF workload at the time topped 300 shows a year, Chavis had little time for his family. At the time, the WWF and major rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW) were in a major talent war, and WCW President Eric Bischoff offered him a lucrative deal, but Chavis declined. He continued to appear for independent promotions, which allowed him to continue to wrestle while maintaining a lighter schedule.
Chavis returned to a full-time schedule for World Wrestling Entertainment as Tatanka at the end of 2005. 
Chavis is well known for his,Wykea (Swinging side slam),  End of the Trail (Samoan drop / Standing Samoan drop),  Papoose To Go (Fallaway slam), Multiple chop variations, Tomahawk Chop (Diving / Running overhead), Backhand, Forehand, Running leg drop, Shoulder block,  Battering ram, Running knee smash, and Savate kick moves.
Tatanka will be on hand during intermission to sign autographs and take Polaroid Pictures with fans.
Covey Promotions is an independent wrestling league operated by Cody Covey that provides fundraising events for local organizations.
“We are the King of the Indies (independent wrestling companies) and no one can draw what we draw,” said Covey.
Covey added that a recent show at the  Paw Paw Fire Department drew 600 attendees.  Covey also added that Covey Promotions holds around 10 to 12 events a year.   According to Covey these events provide up-and-coming wrestlers with a chance to further their career, noting that sometimes wrestling scouts attend the matches.
Fundraising organizations provide the venue and are given 10 percent of the gate admission and 100 percent of the concessions money. “Concessions are where organizations make the most money,” stated Covey.
Covey Productions currently serves the Eastern Panhandle and the Potomac Highlands and in the future plans on having a school for wrestlers, having a 30 minute spot on local television, and plans on expanding throughout the whole state of West Virginia.
“I have been wrestling my whole life and this is something I have always wanted to do,” said Covey  referring to his two year old company.
Covey, who is originally from Paw Paw, is currently a member of 351st Army Reserve in Romney, W.Va.
The gates for the event will open at 6 p.m. with bell time at 7 p.m. To reserve tickets call 304-298-2192. Tickets will also be available at the door. For more information on the event and to learn more about Covey Promotions visit the Web site at www.coveypro.com.
Information on Wikipedia was used for this report.