Nick Bockwinkel
Around 1985, Winters began wrestling for the American Wrestling Association in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Feuding with "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko, he later earned the same sobriquet which he used for the majority of his career. Other notable opponents included Nick Bockwinkel, Kendo Nagasaki and Jimmy Garvin. His match with Garvin was later released as part of "Wrestling's Greatest Matches" series. Winters also took part in tag team as well as singles matches. During the summer of 1985, he teamed with various partners against The Long Riders (Bill &amp; Scott Irwin), Nick Bockwinkel &amp; Ray Stevens, and The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy &amp; Buddy Roberts).