He started his career in 1981 in Bill Watts's Mid-South Wrestling. Landel made his debut on May 25, 1981 in New Orleans, LA and defeated Kelly Kiniski. The young wrestler was quite active, wrestling Ken Mantell, Carl Fergie, Jake Roberts, and The Great Kabuki. On August 18, 1981 he received his first title opportunity, but fell in defeat to Mississippi Champion Bob Orton. On September 29, 1981 he teamed with Jim Garvin in an unsuccessful challenge to MSW Tag-Team Champions The Wild Samoans, and after this moved on to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling.