James started his career along with CM Punk, Colt Cabana, Brad Bradley, and Adam Pearce under the training of Rockin' Randy and the NAWF.
James also spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico for the IWA teaming with Glamour Boy Shane, Bison Smith, and Chet the Jet.
Along with Roadkill, James won the Ohio Valley Wrestling Southern Tag Team Championship from The Untouchables (Domino and Deuce Shade) on April 5, 2006 in Louisville, Kentucky.
[5] Roadkill and James lost the titles on May 27, 2006 to Shad Gaspard and Neighborhoodie in Louisville, Kentucky, before he was called up to WWE's main roster.
[6] The following week, Stevens and James defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick in a non-title match.
[10] He appeared regularly on ECW as a jobber throughout the end of 2007 and the start of 2008, losing to wrestlers such as Kevin Thorn,[12] CM Punk,[13] Shelton Benjamin[14] and others.