In 1947, Berry suffered an arm injury and infection that made him sit out for a year. After the advent of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1948, he held several regional championships for NWA member promotions, including the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship twice in 1949, the NWA Arkansas Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1954, and the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship in 1952 and 1957. In his feuds, Berry usually played the heel, or villain, except in his hometown of Pittsburg, where he was well-beloved.