Ron Fuller. Over the following months, Idol feuded with Lawler (and his allies Bill Dundee and Jackie Fargo) until losing a hair versus loser leaves town steel cage match to Lawler in April 1979. In May 1979, Idol began appearing with Southeastern Championship Wrestling in Alabama, briefly holding the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Southern Division). He left the promotion in summer 1979 to return to Georgia Championship Wrestling. Georgia (1979–1980) Idol returned to Georgia Championship Wrestling in summer 1979. In November 1979, he and The Masked Superstar won a one-night tournament in the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia for the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles to Jack Brisco and Jerry Brisco later that month. In December 1979, Idol defeated Ray Candy for the NWA Georgia Television Championship. In January 1980, Idol was named the inaugural NWA National Heavyweight Champion (the title was vacated later that year in unclear circumstances). Idol's reign as NWA Georgia Television Champion lasted until January 1980, when he lost to Steve Travis. Idol regained the title from Travis several days later, but lost it to Travis' ally Kevin Sullivan later that month. Idol defeated Sullivan to win the title for a third time in February 1980, but lost it to Tommy Rich two days later. In February 1980, Idol lost to Sullivan in a "Boston street fight". Later that month, he defeated Sullivan in a strap match. In March 1980, Idol defeated Mr. Wrestling II to win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship for a second time. He held the title until June 1980, when he lost to Baron von Raschke. During his reign, he unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race. Idol left Georgia Championship Wrestling in July 1980, briefly returning to the Continental Wrestling Association before embarking on a tour of Japan. All Japan Pro Wrestling (1980) In August and September 1980, Idol made his first appearances in Japan with the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion as part of its "Summer Action Series II" tour. He teamed with Ray Candy to compete in the PWF Cup Tag Team Tournament, defeating Atsushi Onita and Prince Tonga in the quarter-finals before losing to The Cruiser and The Destroyer in the semi-finals. Idol's other opponents during the tour included Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta, Mil Mascaras, and Rocky Hata. Georgia and Tennessee (1980–1981) Following his tour of Japan, Idol began appearing for both