upon arrival, he was named the inaugural AWA International Heavyweight Champion. He lost the title to Lawler the following month, with Lawler once again hitting him with a fireball. In summer 1983, Idol turned face and formed an alliance with Lawler. In August 1983, Lawler and Idol won the CWA World Tag Team Championship from The Assassins, only for The Assassins to regain the title one week later. In September 1983, Idol defeated Ken Patera to become AWA International Heavyweight Champion for a second time, only to lose the title to Stan Hansen two days later. Idol regained the title from Hansen in October in a bullrope match. In November 1983, Idol and Dutch Mantell defeated The Midnight Express for the CWA World Tag Team Championship; the title was later quietly abandoned. Idol's third reign as AWA International Heavyweight Champion lasted until April 1984, when he lost to Randy Savage. Idol regained the title from Savage in May, only to lose it to Masao Ito in June 1984. Idol left the CWA once again in mid-1984. In July 1984, Idol returned to Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama. In August 1984, he defeated Vic Rain to win the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) for a second time. He held the title until November 1984, when he lost to Jimmy Golden. In March 1985, Idol defeated Lord Humongous for the NWA Alabama Heavyweight Championship, losing the title back to Humongous the following month. In July 1985, Idol defeated Jimmy Golden to regain the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division); his third reign ended the following month when he lost to Adrian Street. Idol left Southeastern Championship Wrestling once more later that month. Idol returned to the Continental Wrestling Association in August 1985, teaming with Jerry Lawler in a short feud with the Fabulous Freebirds. In December 1985, he and Lawler defeated Bill Dundee and Dutch Mantel to win the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship. The title was vacated later that month when Lawler lost a loser leaves town match to Dundee, and Idol left the Continental Wrestling Association once again. In early 1986, Idol appeared in Texas with World Class Championship Wrestling and Texas All-Star Wrestling. In January 1986, Idol defeated Big Bubba in Ponce, Puerto Rico to win the Texas All-Star Wrestling USA Heavyweight Championship; he held the title until April 1986, when he was defeated by Al Madril in