In 2006, he appeared as The Zombie on the debut episode of World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW on Sci Fi television show.

Trained by former WWF wrestler Johnny Rodz, Calkins made his debut in 2001 wrestling in Northeastern independent promotions including USA Pro Wrestling as a member of the stable Canadian Impact Alliance, winning the USAPW United States and vacant New York Championship in a four-way match with USAPW United States Champion "Hardrock" Ken Sweeney, Low Rida and Stryker on October 20 before losing the titles to Kid Kruel a week later.

He would later lose to Kid Kruel in a three-way match with Billy Reil for the vacant USAPW United States title on February 26, 2005.

[4] On March 19 at a New Wrestling Stars event held at the Municipal Coliseum at Añasco, Puerto Rico, Calkins became involved in a fight between female wrestlers Yaritza and Sandra.

[5] During the next few weeks, he also defeated Bad Boy, Bronco and Hunter in singles matches and teamed with Black Pain against Abbad and Eddie Colón during April.