Romero was born in Saco, Maine, the first of three children. At the age of four he became a wrestling fan, with The Undertaker being his childhood favorite. In high school he played football and lacrosse. During his senior year he was given an essay assignment by his English teacher; "What do you want to do when you grow up?". Romero wrote that he wanted to be a professional wrestler. Romero's mother was a single parent, which didn't allow her time to bring him to a wrestling school. His English teacher, who had encouraged him, helped him by driving him to his first day at wrestling school. Romero was awarded 'best student' during his tryouts and was awarded three-months free tuition at the New England Pro Wrestling Academy.
On October 19, 2019, Romero defeated Larry D in the main event of Impact Wrestling's All Glory special. After the match, he signed a three-year contract with Impact that was offered by Co-Executive Vice PresidentScott D'Amore, and was given the final spot in the five-wayladder match for the Impact X Division Championship at the following Bound for Glorypay-per-view event. At Bound for Glory, Romero made his televised Impact in-ring debut in the five-way ladder match for the X Division Championship, which was won by Ace Austin. On December 7 at No Surrender, he competed in a five-way Scramble match, that was won by Madman Fulton. Romero made his Impact debut on the December 10 episode of Impact! against Moose in a losing effort, and on the following week lost to Joey Ryan. On February 22, 2020 at Sacrifice, Romero teamed up with Larry D to defeat oVe. On the March 3 episode of Impact!, Romero picked up his first televised win by defeating Joey Ryan. Romero solidified his partnership with Larry D on the March 31 episode of Impact!, forming a tag team called "XXXL". On the April 14 episode of Impact!, they made their debut in a four-way tag team match against The Rascalz, Reno Scum and TJP and Fallah Bahh, the latter winning after TJP pinned Thornstowe. The following week on Night 1 of Rebellion, they fought in a three-way tag team match against The Rascalz and TJP and Fallah Bahh, the former winning after Dez pinned Larry. On the May 5 episode of Impact!, the team picked up their first televised win by defeating oVe. The following months saw XXXL lose matches against the likes of TJP and Fallah Bahh, Reno Scum and The Deaners, the latter of which they beat up after losing to them in their second encounter.
