On March 8, 1983 he traveled to Capitol Sports Promotions and defeated Pierre Martel to win the WWC North American Heavyweight Title. This was Landel's first title, and he held the belt until June 25, 1983 when he lost to Pedro Morales in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. That summer Landel defeated Dutch Mantell to win the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship in Memphis, TN. He held the title until August 29, 1983 when he was defeated by Koko B Ware. Landel regained the title on September 10, then holding it until he was defeated by Terry Taylor on December 1, 1983 in Lexington, KY. Landell spent all of 1984 splitting time between Mid South and Houston Wrestling, facing competitors such as Terry Taylor, Jose Lothario, and Brickhouse Brown.