He entered the National Wrestling Alliance in 1995, and defeated Chris Candido for his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship on a Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) card. Severn went on to win the UFC 5 tournament Championship that year, making him the first and only man to hold an MMA and a professional wrestling championship simultaneously. Severn held the NWA Championship for four years, the longest reign in over two decades and as of currently the third-longest reign in the belt's history. Severn defended the title on various NWA promotions such as NWA New Jersey and Outaia Pro Wrestling.