Al-Shehail was initially trained by the Stoner Brothers and Dory Funk Jr..[4] In his early career, he worked under the names Manny Faberino and Big Money Manny on the independent circuit for various promotions including Hoodslam, All Pro Wrestling, Stoner Brothers University, Best of the West Wrestling, and Gold Rush Pro Wrestling.[citation needed] During this period, he won East Bay Pro Wrestling's main championship once, which he vacated upon signing with WWE.[5]