Add Don “Cyrus” Callis to the list of ex-World Wrestling Federation stars whose careers were successfully relaunched by Paul Heyman.

Callis spent 14 months trying to find his WWF niche as the Jackyl, a character that evolved from managing the ill-fated Truth Commission to a brief stint as a David Koresh-like figure. When nothing stuck, Callis was given his WWF release in February 1999.

He wasn’t out of work long. Heyman quickly signed Callis to his Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion and began revamping Callis’ wrestling persona under the name of Cyrus.

Callis found his niche by portraying a representative of The Nashville Network, which is scheduled to boot ECW off the air Sept. 24 for WWF programming. That makes Cyrus an easy target for ECW supporters that want to show their anger at TNN for providing little promotional support for a quality product.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to be given an opportunity to be in a top spot where I could either succeed or fail on my own merits,” said Callis, who actually was a solid wrestler for several years before becoming a full-time manager in 1997.

“Paul put me in the top heel position and showed a lot of faith in me. He gave me a lot of creative freedom to say what I wanted and do what I wanted on promos.”

Callis’ success continues Heyman’s amazing track record at molding talent out of the WWF scrap heap. ECW champion Justin Credible, Al Snow and now the Blue Meanie are three examples of performers who benefited from Heyman’s tutoring.

Callis, who manages a group of wrestlers nicknamed The Network (Steve Corino, Jack Victory, Scott Anton and Rhino), knows his character will have to change at least slightly once ECW leaves TNN. Callis said he isn’t worried.

“I’d like to think you could have the best gimmick in the world, but if you do not go out and deliver the goods, you’re not going to get over,” the Winnipeg-based Callis said. “While I think the network thing is a great fit for timing and everything with what’s going on between ECW and TNN, I like to think Don Callis had something to do with [the character] getting across.

“If we went to another network, why couldn’t I be a network executive for a different company?”

Callis will be one of the performers appearing on tonight’s ECW show at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial, 800 NE Eighth St. Bell time is 8 p.m. Information: 954-761-5380.

Liar, liar

The Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter reported that Vince McMahon admitted the “14 million” viewer voting block his WWF is touting couldn’t be supported. McMahon, though, hasn’t bothered changing the television commercials pitching this misleading nonsense to our political leaders. …

This week’s episode of WCW Monday Nitro drew its lowest television rating (2.6, which translates into less than 2.5 million households) since the show’s debut season in 1995. Rumors are flying that WCW will release high-priced stars like Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger and Diamond Dallas Page to help stem an estimated $60 million in losses this year. …

Chris Chetti, Nova, Sandman and Bill Alfonso are slated to sign autographs from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Oakland Park Flea Market, 3161 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Information: 954-733-4617.

Q&A;

Q. Whatever happened to Tatanka? — Junior Alvarez, Aurora, Colo.

A. Tatanka, a WWF star in the late 1980s and early ’90s, is back on the independent circuit. Tatanka (real name Chris Chavis) recently appeared on a tour of Australia that also featured ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman facing Curt Hennig as the featured attraction.

More of the Don “Cyrus” Callis interview can be found at Marvez also hosts an Internet chat session from 7-8 p.m. Mondays at Questions can be sent to Marvez, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, or e-mailed to . Please include your full name and city of residence. Because of volume, no phone calls will be accepted and letters will not receive a written reply.