 In 1972 Von Steiger teamed up with Ciclón Negro to win the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship, a title he would also hold in 1974, this time with Siegfried Stanke.Karl also won the NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship from Terry Funk and hold it for six months before losing it to Ricky Romero.In April 1973 Killer Karl Krupp chose Kurt Von Steiger to replace Fritz Von Erich as one half of the NWA International Tag Team Championship in Japan Wrestling Association.