In 1985, Zhukov debuted in the American Wrestling Association, being billed from the Soviet Union. Zhukov adopted Chris Markoff as his manager and challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion Rick Martel and Sgt. Slaughter. In 1987, he formed a tag team with Soldat Ustinov under Sheik Adnan El Kassey's management. The pair won the AWA World Tag Team Title that same year. Zhukov, however, left the AWA while he was still one half of the tag team champions (the storyline being that Wahoo McDaniel chased him out after a brutal chain match). As a result, former tag team title holder Doug Somers was brought in to team with Ustinov, losing the titles to the team of Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee.
Upon entering the WWF, he formed a team with Nikolai Volkoff known as The Bolsheviks. They teamed for over a year, but never rose above mid-card status. By mid 1989, Zhukov was wrestling in singles competition, being used primarily as a jobber regularly losing in very short work with no announcement. He even feuded with his former tag team partner when Volkoff received a push as a face in 1990.
Zhukov left the WWF in 1991.