During the mid-1980s, Peterson briefly appeared in Fritz von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling defeating Jack Victory on February 7 and Prairie States Wrestling against Ox Baker on July 23 before wrestling in the Mid-South area and, by early 1986, for Bill Watts' Universal Wrestling Federation facing wrestlers such as Gustavo Mendoza[2][3] and, in tag team matches, teamed with Brett Sawyer against Mike Scott and Rick Steiner,[4] the Blade Runners[5] and the Fabulous Freebirds (Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy & Buddy Roberts) in their UWF debut.

Later that year, he teamed with Todd Champion feuding with the Thunderfoots and faced Big Bubba Rogers and The Warlord and The MOD Squad during October while in Jim Crockett Promotions as well as wrestling Arn Anderson in St. Louis, Missouri on November 16, 1986.

Jumping to the American Wrestling Association in 1987, Peterson fought Super Ninja to a time limit draw at SuperClash II on May 2, 1987.

Defending the titles during the rest of the year, Peterson and Trooper would turn out to be the last AWA World Tag Team Champions.

In January 1991, Pro Wrestling Illustrated and its sister publications withdrew recognition of the AWA's World Championship status[9] but continued to recognize Trooper and Peterson as incumbent "AWA Tag Team Champions" until the promotion finally closed later that year.