JN News 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Chase Tatum, who wrestled in WCW in 1998 & 1999, was found dead in his home in Buckhead, Georgia on Sunday, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His father Roy Tatum told the newspaper that his son died of an accidental drug overdose ten days after undergoing back surgery to repair a degenerative disc. His father said his son had been battling a painkiller addiction and had plans to enter a rehabilitation facility in Miami soon. "He was in the process of getting his life back together," Tatum said. "He was confident that he was going to turn things around, to live a normal life without those painkillers." A friend discovered Tatum's body at around 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at his Buckhead, Georgia home. Tatum was unresponsive and could not be revived by emergency medical technicians. At 6-feet, 3-inches tall and 265 pounds, Tatum won the Mr. Georgia bodybuilding competition when he was 19 years old. He was a personal trainer, and a client encouraged him to give professional wrestling a shot. He went to the WCW Power Plant and made his debut in the promotion in 1998, losing to Scott Steiner on an episode of WCW Thunder on March 6. Tatum worked approximately 10 televised matches during his entire WCW tenure. He primarily worked in an enhancement role on WCW Saturday Night. He lost to the rising Bill Goldberg on the March 14, 1998 edition of WCW Saturday Night. He also lost to Curt Hennig, Van Hammer, Scott Norton and current SmackDown wrestler Dave Taylor over the course of two years. His lone singles win in WCW came against The Gambler in January 1999. He worked two episodes of WCW Monday Nitro during the summer of '99; losing to WCW Television Champion Rick Steiner in a squash match on July 26, and in his final appearance in WCW on August 23, he was powerbombed by Sid Vicious during his match with Mikey Whipwreck, which ended in a no contest. Tatum was briefly a member of the short-lived No Limit Soldiers faction which included Rey Mysterio and Konnan. In September 1999, WCW purged the roster and released a slew of wrestlers including Tatum. That marked the end of his career in professional wrestling. His father said he suffered his back injury during his time in WCW and took painkillers to get by for a number of years because he did not have health insurance to pay for the surgery to correct the problem. Tatum had been acting in recent years and appeared in the 2007 film Who's Your Caddy?. He also worked as a road manager and personal assistant for hip hop duo Outkast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser_Brody_ 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 The room is spinning........ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 I wonder which MSN contact informed JN News of the dreadful news. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PILLS! PILLS! PILLS! 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 In September 1999, WCW purged the roster and released a slew of wrestlers including Tatum. Was that really necessary? I mean, couldn't they have just paid him to stay at home just like everyone else? Oh, I mean R.I.P. brother. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JN News 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 Look, I read this on the Edge University message board. EJ Smooth who is a part of Booker T's PWA promotion reported this. Can we please lay the whole Chris Masters mistake to rest? Plus, this came from an actual newspaper in Atlanta, GA., which BTW was the former home of WCW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 ...which BTW was the former home of WCW. What? Really? Gee, I don't think anyone here realized that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steviekick 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2008 It's also up in the Atlanta Journal Constitution's website: WCW wrestler found dead in Buckhead home; Father says Tatum died of apparent accidental drug overdose By CHRISTIAN BOONE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Former WCW wrestler Chase Tatum was found dead late Sunday afternoon of an apparent accidental drug overdose, his father said. Tatum, 34, was recovering from back surgery 10 days earlier to repair a degenerative disc. His father, Roy Tatum of Kennesaw, said his son had been battling a painkiller dependence for years but had made plans to enter a rehabilitation facility in Miami. "He was in the process of getting his life back together," the elder Tatum said Monday evening. "He was confident he was going to turn things around, to live a normal life again without those painkillers." Chase Tatum's body was discovered by a friend at his Buckhead home around 4 p.m. Sunday. He was unresponsive and could not be revived by emergency personnel. A toxicology report has been ordered by the Fulton County Medical Examiner, which will take anywhere from six to eight weeks, said Laura Salm, an investigator with the coroner's office. "He laid down, went to sleep and woke up in heaven," his father said. Chase Tatum was 19 years old when he won the Mr. Georgia bodybuilding competition. He was always a big kid, his father said, An online movie resume described him as 6-feet, 3-inches tall and 265 pounds. He began a career as a personal trainer, which he continued doing until his death. Tatum's wrestling career was unplanned and short-lived. One of his clients was a WCW personality who encouraged him to audition. Tatum was accepted on his first try, debuting in 1999. He quickly gained notice; an online fan club dubbed him "WCW's coolest young jobber." His dad, however, advised his son against becoming a pro wrestler. "How long can you last in that field?" Roy Tatum said. "They go in with their eyes closed, think they'll make some quick money and then get out." Tatum retired after about two-and-a-half years. The brief wrestling stint left him battling severe back problems but without health insurance to pay for the surgery. The painkillers kept him going, his father said, and despite his dependence, Tatum found success as an actor. He landed a substantial role in the low-budget comedy, "Who's Your Caddy?" in 2007 alongside costar rapper Big Boi of Outkast. He also worked as a road manager and personal assistant with Outkast. "He loved working with them," said his father, also an actor. "He got to see Paris, Germany and Japan." He said his son had just landed a major role in a movie that was to be filmed in New York. In his spare time, Chase Tatum enjoyed spending time with his young nephew, Jake, the son of Chase's younger brother Colin. "He was at his brother's house more than his own," Roy Tatum said. Chase Tatum's funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
