Ellering was an accomplished weightlifter before he became a wrestler. He had a World Record for deadlifting a lift at 745 pounds.

The promoter and owner of American Wrestling Alliance (AWA) Verne Gagne and trainer/wrestler, Eddie Sharley's camp, trained Ellering at Minneapolis, Minnesota in the 1970s. Ellering eventually battled in tag teams and singles. His famous fights were with Jimmy Valiant, Jesse Ventura, and Jerry Lawler. He became the AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion after defeating Jimmy.

As he wrestled for Georgia Championship Wrestling, Ellering injured his knee severely in a match against Robert Gibson. That ended his wrestling career. Ole Anderson, a Georgia booker, recognized his vocal ability, so he gave him a manager job.

Ellering is famous for the management of The Road Warriors or the Legion of Doom from 1993 to 1997. In 1998, he managed the Disciples of Apocalypse who fought against the Legion of Doom. At the end of his second run, he led the LOD during a tag-team battle royal. They had a shot at the tag titles at WrestleMania XV, but they were not successful.

Even if Ellering was primarily a manager, he stepped between the ropes as a competitor. WWE inducted him into the Hall of Fame along with the Road Warriors by Dusty Rhodes.