
Nord was trained to wrestle by Eddie Sharkey. He debuted in late 1984 under the ring name "The Barbarian" for Mid-South Wrestling, where he was managed by Skandor Akbar.

In 1985, the AWA originally promoted him as a member of the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.

In 1986, he became Nord the Barbarian and wrestled in singles and tag team matches (under manager Adnan El Kassey) in the American Wrestling Association. Here, he frequently teamed with Bruiser Brody. The two faced Greg Gagne and Jimmy Snuka as part of a triple main event at WrestleRock '86.

Nord then went to World Class Championship Wrestling wrestling as In 1987 as Nord The Barbarian he was (managed by Gary Hart), where he feuded with Kevin Von Erich over the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship. He challenged Von Erich for the title at the fourth annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium in 1987.
In 1989, he returned to the AWA under the name Yukon John (a lumberjack gimmick where he would come to the ring with an ax, dressed in blue jeans, flannel shirt, animal skin hat and boots). He mainly competed in singles matches, until forming a tag team in 1990 with Scott Norton, called The Yukon Lumberjacks. They briefly feuded with The Texas Hangmen.

After the American Wrestling Association closed in 1991, Nord joined Pacific Northwest Wrestling as "Nord the Barbarian". He formed a tag team with The Grappler called "The Breakfast Club". After winning matches, Nord and The Grappler would humiliate their opponents by pouring Cheerios and milk on them.

In 1991, Nord joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as The Viking. He soon became The Berzerker (managed by Mr. Fuji) and feuded with Davey Boy Smith and Jimmy Snuka. His preferred method of winning matches was by throwing his opponents over the top rope for a countout, all the while holding his wrist, licking his hand, shouting "Huss! Huss!", and falling flat on his back. He wrestled as part of a four-man team in an elimination match at the 1991 Survivor Series pay-per-view event. He was the last man eliminated for his team. He then feuded with The Undertaker, at one point attempting to stab him with his sword. In July 1992, he won a 40-man Battle Royal on WWF Prime Time Wrestling, and challenged Bret Hart for the WWF Championship that November. Nord's final appearance was as a participant in a battle royal on the February 1, 1993 edition of Monday Night Raw.
In 1994, Nord traveled to Japan where he competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling under his real name. There he formed a tag team with Stan Hansen. He continued to appear with AJPW until 1997.
In 1997, Nord joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) with bleached blond hair, under his real name, John Nord. He wrestled mainly on WCW Saturday Night and had a long winning streak that ended with a loss to another streak holder, Bill Goldberg, on July 4, 1998. Nord then formed a short-lived team with Barry Darsow, and was soon gone from WCW.
After retiring from wrestling, Nord went to work at his brother's auto dealership, Nord East Motors, in Hilltop, Minnesota.
In July 2016, Nord was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit is litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE.
Finishing moves
Camel clutch
Falling powerslam
Inverted suplex slam
Over The Top Rope Throw
Signature moves
Big boot, sometimes to an opponent tied up in the ropes
Leg drop
Leg drop bulldog
Signature weapons
Longsword
Round shield
Managers
Adnan El Kassey
Mr. Fuji
Oliver Humperdink
Skandor Akbar
Gary Hart
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI Rookie of the Year (1985)
PWI ranked him # 422 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003