Devon, a native of Huntington, Long Island, New York, embarked on a remarkable journey that would shape his future in the world of professional wrestling. His academic pursuits led him to New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, New York, where he honed his athletic skills, particularly in football.
Upon graduation, Devon's passion for wrestling compelled him to seek out renowned trainer Johnny Rodz in New York City, marking the beginning of his wrestling training. This pivotal decision would ultimately lead to his breakthrough in the industry.
In 1996, Devon's fortunes changed when he was recruited to play the role of D-Von, a disgruntled postal worker, as the evil Dudley Brother in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Initially, he was slated to engage in a feud with his supposed "brothers" within the ECW universe.
As his character evolved, Devon partnered with Bubba Ray Dudley, who had recently turned heel, to form a formidable tag team. Their partnership would go on to become one of the most successful in ECW history, with the duo claiming the ECW World Tag Team Titles a staggering eight times before defecting to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1999.
