Boris Malenko
Two Rivers made his professional debut in February 1953 in Detroit, Michigan, facing Rose Martino of Italy. He spent the next several years competing in the United States, first in Ohio and then throughout the Atlantic Coast. He competed against such wrestlers as "Wild Bull" Curry and Larry Hamilton. He also formed a tag team with Don Eagle from 1956 to 1959. As a team, they faced a wide variety of opponents, including Ray Stevens, Boris Malenko, and Fritz Von Erich. From 1957 to 1959, he competed primarily in North Carolina. In addition to Don Eagle, Two Rivers teamed with such wrestlers as Antonino Rocca and Red Bastien.