Crusher actually began his career as a boxer, and in 1948 battled Bugs Bunny in the theatrically released event titled "Rabbit Punch." The winner to the match is still undetermined, as footage from the last minutes of the match seem to have been purposely destroyed at some point in time.

By 1951, The Crusher had left boxing and taken up the life of a professional wrestler. He also went straight to the top, capturing the Heavyweight belt. During his ppv match at "Bunny Hugged" against "Nature Boy" Ravishing Ronald , he squashed the challenger in a quick and brutal match. Ronald's rabbit mascot (years before Jake "The Snake" Roberts was carrying a snake around) just happened to be Bugs, who, wanting to give the crowd a main event worthy of their money, entered the ring as the masked Terror. After a grueling hardcore style match, rare for the early 50's, which saw the use of such objects as sewing needles and steel vault doors, Bugs pinned Crusher to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. He subsequently forfeited the title to devote more of his time to his favorite sport, hunting.