[1] After serving in the United States Army, Brown attended welding school in St. Petersburg, Florida.

His uncle introduced him to professional wrestler Rick Conners, who agreed to train him.

After wrestling as a jobber for several years, Brown won the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade in 1984 from Mike Davis.

When New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) withdrew their separate claim to the title, Brown was recognized as the undisputed champion in August 1985.

1NWA records are unclear as to where Brown was or what NWA affiliated promotion he was wrestling for when his first reign with the championship began.