Slinker wrestled for International World Class Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling (later Universal Wrestling Federation), World Wrestling Council, Florida Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. At various times, he was managed by Woman or competed as part of Kevin Sullivan's Army of Darkness. While competing in Tennessee, he challenged Jerry Lawler for the Memphis version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship on April 10, 1978 but was unsuccessful. On May 4, 1979, he won his first championship belt by defeating David Schultz for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship, a title Schultz soon regained in a rematch.