In 1989, Rich debuted for World Championship Wrestling. Rich would mount an unsuccessful challenge to WCW United States Champion Lex Luger in a series of title matches during this time period. He lost to Harley Race at The Great American Bash in July 1990. In 1991, in an attempt to revive his career, he joined Alexandra York's York Foundation and became "Thomas Rich". He teamed with the other members, Terrence Taylor and Richard Morton to win the WCW Six-Man Titles. When the York Foundation disbanded in early 1992, Rich was relegated to the lower card.
Rich debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling in January 1997. Later that year, he became the leader of The Full Blooded Italians, adopting the nickname "The Big Don" and the tongue-in-cheek gimmick of a caporegime. Rich both managed The Full Blooded Italians and occasionally wrestled. He left ECW in 1999.