Inspired by his Northside High School football coach and hope to become a pro wrestler, 160-pound wide receiver and defensive halfback Harrell became interested in gaining mass in his senior year, 1977.

While exercising at a YMCA, he met Ric McCord, who introduced him to Don Hogan and Steve Savage, two wrestlers from Salem, Virginia who trained him.

In his first big match, the 210-pound Harrell (now called Jim Nelson) teamed with Mike Stallings to lose to Ivan Koloff and Ole Anderson.

In May 1982, Nelson and Kernodle defeated Jay Youngblood and Porkchop Cash to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship.

He adopted the character of "Boris Zurkov", a mercenary hired by Skandor Akbar to face Bruiser Brody.

[8] In January 1984, Harrell debuted in the Birmingham, Alabama-based Southeastern Championship Wrestling promotion as "Boris Zhukov".

[9] In April 1985, Harrell debuted in the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association as "Boris Zukhov", adopting Chris Markoff as his manager.

After the tag team dissolved in August 1986, Harrell unsuccessfully challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel on several occasions.

In September 1987, Harrell left the AWA to join the World Wrestling Federation, with the explanation given being that Wahoo McDaniel had driven him out of the promotion after a brutal chain match.

[13] Over the following 15 months, The Bolsheviks competed against teams such as The British Bulldogs, The Killer Bees, The Powers of Pain, The Rougeau Brothers, and The Young Stallions.

[15][16] The Bolsheviks separated in early 1989 after Volkoff temporarily departed the WWF, with Zhukov competing as a single wrestler.

[18] The Bolsheviks permanently disbanded in May 1990 after a further crushing defeat by the Rockers, with Volkoff turning face by embracing America and feuding with Zhukov.

Slaughter plus "The Orient Express" (Sato,and Tanaka) as "The Mercenaries", losing to "The Alliance" (Volkoff, The Bushwhackers, and Tito Santana).

He made his final appearance in June 1991 at the Beach Brawl pay-per-view in Palmetto, Florida, defeating Paul Samson.

He was attacked and injured, leading to a face turn and a "Wrestle or Retire" match on September 8 for Eclipso's ACW Championship.