[5] Garza later joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where he was given the ring name Mighty Igor Vodik by Verne Gagne.

[8] In the 1970s, Garza wrestled as "The Mighty Igor" in the "Big Time Wrestling" circuit from Detroit, Michigan, performing with the likes of Bobo Brazil, The Sheik, Pampero Firpo, "Big" Tex McKenzie, The Stomper, Flying Fred Curry, and The Fabulous Kangaroos.

At times, he would wear nurse's shoes and long underwear in addition to his wrestling attire to make himself look friendly or kind but he would be superhuman strong .

Other performances included bending iron bars or placing cement blocks on his head and having someone break them with a sledgehammer.

[2] Ivan Kalmikoff ( Edward Bruce ) acted as his manager, while in PR World Wrestling Council where he was a fan favorite and was one time WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight legend Jose Miguel Perez acted as his manager.