Stubbs grew up in the South Wales village of Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly. Although his parents are rarely discussed by Stubbs, his passion for wrestling began in 2001, watching Five Star Wrestling with his father. His passion for the sport began there and when he turned 12 in 2003, he began training at Newbridge Wrestling School. It was soon evident that Stubbs was a grade above the other students, similar to the level of former Alumni of Renegade and BROS. It would be another nine months however before Eli Legacy would be unleashed onto the world.