13 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Ludvig Borga
8. Tatanka’s High Opinion Of His Standing
Right, finally time for some WWE talk.
Tatanka showed up early in VICE's show to discuss working with Ludvig Borga on WWF programming in the early-90s. Throughout his talking head appearance, Tatanka appeared lively and engaging, but then he went into business for himself. Borga would beat the popular babyface gimmick in October 1993, thus handing Tatanka his first televised loss in two years.
Cool, but Tatanka's own memories of it are outlandish. He told 'Dark Side's' cameras that Ludvig "went right to the top of the ladder" by virtue of defeating him on TV. Yeah, that isn't true. The WWF did want to turn Borga into a heel opponent for 'American Hero' Lex Luger at the time, but that didn't last long. He certainly didn't become a guaranteed main eventer by beating Tatanka.
Whether he was willing to admit it or not, Tatanka was never a tippy top WWF star. He was a respected midcarder throughout practically his entire run (other than a few forgettable main event appearances once he turned heel). Undefeated or not, he didn't have the powers to make someone a bankable headliner.
It's understandable that Tatanka wanted to put himself over for the cameras, but his comments here were just blatant self-promotion that didn't do VICE’s doc any favours. However, it's also interesting that someone so clearly determined to put himself over didn't mention that Borga was booked to use a steel chair during the beatdown. You missed an opportunity there, sir!
Seriously though, this self-penning of company history felt forced.