When it became clear that MMA wasn't going to pay the bills, especially because of frequent suspensions due to THC levels in his system, Riddle decided to try his hand at pro wrestling. He signed up with the Monster Factory, the wrestling camp best known for producing Bam Bam Bigelow. Soon after, his wife, a gymnast, began training there as well. Among his trainers? Sean Waltman, better known to WWE fans as X-Pac, and ECW's The Blue Meanie. By all accounts, Riddle's time at the Monster Factory has gone smoothly. Blessed with considerable athletic gifts, Riddle grew up a fan of ECW, and initially wanted to mimic some of the big, crazy spots ECW was infamous for. However, trainers quickly convinced him that a story had to be told in the ring, and that there was more to wrestling than crazy bumps.