[5] Tatum was recruited to the Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling promotion by his friend Rick Hazzard.

Leaving WCCW in May 1986, Tatum and Hyatt joined Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation and teamed with Jack Victory against The Fantastics (Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers), before eventually joining Eddie Gilbert's stable "Hot Stuff Inc." (later renamed "Hyatt & Hot Stuff International").

However, as a result of a real-life affair between Hyatt and Gilbert,[8] Tatum left the promotion with Jack Victory at the end of year.

However, unlike Missy Hyatt, Tessa was reluctant to interfere in his matches; and eventually she became a babyface manager, very similar to Sunshine.

As Tessa turned away, Tatum knocked her unconscious with a superkick, resulting in her being carried out of the Sportatorium on a stretcher.

During his stint in the GWF, Tatum founded his own promotion in Dallas called Big D Pro Wrestling.