Aside from being a 2001 graduate of WWE Hall of Famer "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant's wrestling school in Shawsville, Virginia, Matthews' training began under former NWA World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Tyson Smith and his partner at the time, "Rock & Roll" Tommy Gibson. West Virginia wrestling legends "Adorable" Danny Ray and Joey "By God" Morton also shared a heavy influence on Matthews' career as well.

Since his debut, Matthews has been featured in high profile matches such as competing one-on-one with Jerry "The King" Lawler on Saturday morning Memphis television (June 2004), as well as tagging with "Smart" Bart Sawyer against "The Monster" Abyss and "Alpha Male" Monty Brown in a match that was shown on the nationally syndicated television program "TNA Xplosion". Shortly after the WWE purchase of WCW, Matthews teamed with mentor Joey Morton to take on another mentor of his, Danny Ray, and his partner Jaime Noble (who was then under WWE contract) in Oak Hill, WV on New Year's Day 2002. Matthews has also had the extreme pleasure of competing with and against the likes of "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase (Power Wrestling Alliance), former WWE World Tag Team Champion John Heidenriech, wrestling legend "Superstar" Bill Dundee, 1/2 of the Rock and Roll Express, Ricky Morton, "Russian Nightmare" Nikita Koloff, and many more.

Having been a professional for seven years now, Matthews had this to say: "There is no doubt that in my short seven years in this business I have faced controversy, adversity, and situations that have definately left lasting impressions on me, good and bad. But as discouraging as this profession gets sometimes, along comes a moment in time that makes all of the blood, sweat, and tears feel more than worth it. If you have a love, knowledge, and respect for this business, that is something that absolutely NO one can take away from you."