Kiniski joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1960 and defeated AWA World Champion Verne Gagne to win the title on July 11, 1961, also capturing the AWA World Tag Team Title twice with Hard Boiled Haggerty. The title reign lasted less than a month.
Kiniski next had a stint in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1964; while there, he challenged WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino several times. Kiniski wrestled Sammartino on November 16, 1964 at Madison Square Garden. Thinking that he had pinned Sammartino in the second fall, Kiniski took the belt and left the ring. Despite being counted out, Kiniski kept the title until a rematch on December 14 settled the matter of who was the real champion.
He refereed the main event of the inaugural WCW Starrcade (Ric Flair versus WCW World Champion Harley Race in a steel cage) in 1983. He acted as the cornerman for Dory Funk, Jr. in a match between Funk and Nick Bockwinkel (with Verne Gagne) at Slamboree 1993.
On April 14, 2010, Kiniski passed away.