 Jones started wrestling in the NWA's Central States promotion in 1981 under the name Tommy Rogers (not to be confused with the Tommy Rogers of the Fantastics tag team).In the summer of 1984, he and Marty Jannetty formed a duo called the Uptown Boys, and twice won the NWA Central States Tag Team Championship.Jones also wrestled as Jeff Gouldie, the (kayfabe) son of Archie Gouldie, who also competed as the Mongolian Stomper.