His primary sport while growing up was basketball. He was the second-most-recruited player in Michigan in his senior year of high school, behind future basketball legend Magic Johnson. However, his college career at the University of Tennessee was far less successful than Johnson's at Michigan State, and his hopes of advancing beyond the college ranks ended when he blew out a knee. He went on to become a bouncer, and was eventually noticed by WCW and signed with them.

Nash first worked as part of a tag team known as the Master Blasters. Later, he wrestled under his real name, then as Oz, and still later as Vinnie Vegas.

In 1993, he left WCW and signed with the then-WWF, adopting the gimmick of Diesel, originally a "bodyguard" for real-life friend Shawn Michaels. After several successful years in the WWF, he left to rejoin WCW, and teamed up with another real-life friend, Scott Hall, to form the nWo (New World Order). After the nWo was split into two factions, Nash joined the "Wolfpack" faction.

After leaving WCW Nash again joined WWE and attempted to re-form the nWo, but failed after a ankle injury put him out. He came back from the ankle injury, but his wrestling career ended after a previously existing shoulder injury recurred in 2003, forcing him to undergo reconstructive surgery. He has announced the end of his in-ring career, although he has said he wants to stay in the wrestling business.