Professional Wrestling Career
Inspired by the legendary and multitalented Jim Thorpe, Kazmaier sought to transfer his talents to other sports, trying out for the NFL's Green Bay Packers in 1981 and also participating in World Championship Wrestling. Trained by Verne Gagne and Brad Rheingans, Kazmaier began wrestling in 1986. During the 1980s, he had wrestled for promotions such as Stampede Wrestling in Canada and Continental Championship Wrestling in America.
His biggest national exposure came when he debuted for World Championship Wrestling in the summer of 1991. He received several shots at Lex Luger's WCW World Heavyweight Championship but failed to win the title. He also briefly teamed with Rick Steiner, only to lose to The Enforcers in a tournament final for the WCW World Tag Team Championship. At Halloween Havoc 1991, in Chattanooga, Tennessee Bill beat Oz by submission. At the 1991 Starcade Battlebowl: The Lethal Lottery, Jón Páll Sigmarsson and his partner Jushin "Thunder" Liger defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Mike Graham in Norfolk, VA. While in WCW, Kazmaier also wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling. In NJPW, his theme music was "Poundcake" by Van Halen.
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