Going into battle there were many that thought Tatanka would not give the 600 lb. Yokozuna any trouble but as the match progressed, the Native American showed the New York crowd that he wanted to win the title very badly. In fact, on three occasions Yokozuna was just barely able to get his shoulder up before a three-count ended his second reign as W.W.F. champion. The longer the match continued, the more the fans in the Gardens realized just maybe the upset of the year was in the making. It was not until Mr. Fuji interfered with the bucket that held the ceremonial salt that allowed Yokozuna to get away still with his championship belt intact. Tatanka and Luger joined forces against Yokozuna and Borga since no one of these opponents could win or get away without defeat without using outside interference. After the Yokozuna battle Tatanka had showed again that he had come back in a blaze of glory by pinning Bam Bam Bigelow at the Royal Rumble. The Beast from the East was a last-minute replacement for Borga, who mysteriously bowed out of the rematch due to a questionable injury. Tatanka had showed to the fans and the locker room of the W.W.F. that he had the ability to bounce back from injury, to persevere when things don't go your way, and to show determination in the face of adversity. He had all the marks of a wrestler who's going somewhere...to the top. Tatanka had worked himself into serious contention for a major title.
Tatanka at this point of his career had established himself as a major force in the W.W.F. He was an inspiration to his fans and most of all to all the Native American tribes all over the world. He had accomplished what he set out to do; to establish a new Native Nation that he would lead in the W.W.F. Because of his success W.W.F. owner Vince McMahon decided to honor him on National TV on Monday Night Raw. For the occasion was former W.W.F. Chiefs Jay Strongbow, Wahoo McDaniels and Ray Littleturtle from Tatanka's Native tribe the Lumbee's. That Monday Night Raw was special to Tatanka because not only was the show honored to him but having the 2 great superstars that had paved the way for Native American Wrestlers was a honor. Ray Littleturtle proceeded with a formal speech to Tatanka and a gift from the Lumbee tribe which gifts within Native's are taken very seriously. The tribe presented to Tatanka a full length Chief Headdress that adorned beautiful colored feathers and beads that had been in a lodge in North Carolina for many years and now it was passed down to the Native Superstar Tatanka. Strongbow and McDaniels also made their speeches honoring Tatanka and officially passing the torch and flame to the new Native American that had rose above to represent his people with honor. As the presentation ended Tatanka vowed to continue to represent his people and to take care of the precious gift the Native's had bestowed upon him!
In enters the so called government tax accountant Irwin R. Shyster. This confrontation began another page in Tatanka's battles over his Native American heritage. First it was "The Model" Rick Martel, then Bam Bam Bigelow, then Ludvig Borga and now Irwin R. Shyster who had come against Tatanka's Native American heritage and insisted to mock him and declare they were the superior warriors and race. From the beginning Chief Jay Strongbow had taken the young Native under his wings at the W.W.F. but ever since the presentation to Tatanka; Strongbow and Tatanka had a special tie between themselves that was clear throughout the W.W.F. Every match Tatanka wrestled he proudly wore the Chief Headdress that was presented to him by his people and it was clear that the Native was upholding the vow he promised to his people that special night on Monday Night Raw. After his war-dance at the beginning of his matches he would hang his long headdress on the ring post during his matches because he vowed to take care of the special gift the Native's had bestowed upon him. I.R.S. insisted that Tatanka needed to pay a gift tax on the newly acquired gift but Tatanka being full blooded Lumbee Indian had special privileges that included he was tax exempt on this special gift. Irwin R. Shyster continued to hassle and demand the tax that was due and stated that if Tatanka didn't pay the tax he would pay one way or the other. I.R.S. continued to hassle Tatanka and even at times would come to ringside while he was wrestling to inspect the Native's Headdress but Tatanka had a very close eye out and would run off I.R.S. before he could get his hands on the special gift that represented Tatanka's heritage and people. Everything came to an explosion one Monday Night Raw when I.R.S. attacked Tatanka and then tied him up into the ring ropes so he couldn't get loose and then proceeded to mock him by wearing his headdress. The situation heated up as Chief Jay Strongbow came to ringside to defend his Native Brother but I.R.S. retaliated by beating Chief Jay Strongbow to a pulp and there was nothing Tatanka could do as he watched his mentor be destroyed. To add the final cut and blow I.R.S. began to tear the Chief's Headdress that was presented to Tatanka to shreds right in front of Tatanka and the whole world live! When I.R.S. finished there was nothing left but a pile of torn feathers and to add insult he stuffed feathers in Tatanka's and Strongbow's mouth and left the ring with a building of fans that where ready to attack I.R.S. themselves. There was a silence over the building that night and again many were crying due to the hurt and pain they could feel that Tatanka was experiencing at that given moment. As the referee's got Tatanka loose from the ring ropes he crawled over to Chief Jay Strongbow's side that was still laid out in the middle of the ring and lifted his head into his laps and with a loud war cry that bellowed from deep within Tatanka you knew his pain but in the same aspect you knew that Tatanka would avenge himself, Chief Jay Strongbow and those Native's he had vowed to throughout the world! What followed thereafter was another great story in Tatanka's battles of those that came against him and his heritage. I.R.S. tried to run many times after Tatanka was getting the best of him but Tatanka would come back and demand rematches that faced the two together all throughout the world for almost one year. Every single match Tatanka made I.R.S. pay the price for what he had done to him, Chief Strongbow and his people. It seemed Tatanka was carrying a new power and warrior spirit that came from above; from his Creator God himself! He was focused on making I.R.S. pay the ultimate price for his deeds and he did just that; defeating I.R.S. all throughout the world so the fans in every city could see that good had triumphed over evil and Tatanka had restored his heritage once again. Just like the Bam Bam matches the fans remembered these matches also because of the great excitement that filled the buildings all over the world.
Now we enter the final battle of Tatanka's awesome career at the W.W.F. This one though shocked the world and had everyone in disbelief! Yes; I'm talking about the feud between "Made in the U.S.A. Lex Luger" and the Native American Tatanka. It all started when Tatanka had been making serious allegations that Lex Luger had "sold out" to the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase for a staggering sum of money. Native American Tatanka, who once considered Luger to be a friend and a role model, is certain that Lex has signed a " million dollar contract" and that everyone should never "underestimate the greed and wealth" of the Million Dollar Man. Luger felt that Tatanka was simply trying to usurp his code of moral conduct. Feeling that Tatanka's moccasins have totally overstepped the boundaries, the American patriot Lex Luger has made it clear that he is ready, willing and able to give the mighty young brave the battle of his life. At the time of the ceremony of the Chief Headdress that was presented to Tatanka it was rumored he was in line for a series of title matches; especially after having the Champion Yokozuna in desperation to save his title at Madison Square Garden and having only Mr. Fuji to save him in the end. Months after the ceremony, he was convinced that he, just like Strongbow, would be overlooked for a title shot. "Tatanka is very proud", his friends added. " He absorbs generations of insults to his people. He wants the belt so he can be a even bigger role model for Native Americans. The stage was set; Chicago's Brand New United Center in the sweltering heat of August for The 1994 Summer Slam Pay Per View. With the entire wrestling world waiting for DiBiase and Luger to unite, it was Tatanka whom the "Million Dollar Man" really wanted. According to insiders, DiBiase considered Luger to be damaged goods and he wanted the Native all along. His interest in Lex was just a decoy to throw the media and promoters off track. It worked. Never in recent history has the wrestling world been so shocked by a defection. The truth came out that it was the other way around! After Tatanka defeated Luger and won the match he capped his turn to rule breaking by assaulting Luger and giving him a vicious beating. No one expected the Native to rebel. There were those experts in the press that stated " when Tatanka attacked Luger and shook DiBiase's hand, the United Center fell silent". "It was something really to see; Tatanka was the last person you'd ever expect to turn. The consensus of wrestling opinion-makers stated that history was repeating itself with a white man tricking a Native American into a bad business deal. DiBiase's opinion was very different and stated "his wrestlers were taken care of very well and that Tatanka would get his title shots and be well compensated for his efforts." There was one thing for sure; Tatanka could expect a lengthy and bloody series of battles with Luger. At the time should Tatanka dominate the battles he would be the leading contender to take on the current World Champion Bret Hart. What followed was to be expected of Tatanka's career and ability in the ring. What began at The United Center in Chicago routed itself throughout the country for almost an entire year without losing any steam. Fueled with a fiery dislike for each other, the epic wars between Made In The U.S.A. Lex Luger and the Native American turncoat left arenas scalded with the intense heat of battle. A friend of Tatanka's not connected with the sport stated "Tatanka still loved his fans but had to take care of business not for selfish reasons but for his people; the Native Americans. So remember that, when you call him names and boo him he's doing it because he has to." According to legend in some tribes, in order to obtain a blessing or gain standing in the community, one must keep his attention firmly and exclusively on the goal. One cannot permit his concentration to wander.
