18-24 Draven worked as a job guy in many small promotions and used to enhance other talent. He worked under many names and gimmicks but never really found his niche in the market. At age 20 he used a contact from local Washington DC promoter Larry Dunn to get booked over in Japan in the All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion and trained in the All Japan Dojo. The Draven St. Germain gimmick was born after being inspired by Keiji Mutoh's, The Great Muta, gimmick and was developed into a dark side warrior. Due to popularity the gimmick was wanted by New Japan Pro Wrestling and Draven St. Germain began working for NJPW being booked as a supplement to heel main eventers. He received an IWGP Heavyweight championship opportunity after winning a Korakuen Hall tournament. Draven lost the match to Champi