Stuart Alexander Bennett was born on 10 August 1980 in Penwortham, Lancashire. He grew up in nearby Preston before moving to Wales with his family at the age of six. He was inspired to become a professional wrestler by his idol Davey Boy Smith, and named the WWF Intercontinental Championship match in the main event of SummerSlam 1992 between Smith and his other childhood hero Bret Hart as his all-time favourite match. He earned a degree in marine biology from the University of Liverpool, after which he went to work in a science laboratory and as a recruitment consultant whilst training to become a wrestler.