A native of New Hampshire, Justin McIsaac made his professional wrestling debut around 2001 as "The Alpha Male" Justin Powers. He got his start with Green Mountain Wrestling in Newport, Vermont, and wrestled Brian Jury at its "Champions Challenge" supercard that same year. Early in his career, he was a guest writer and wrestling columnist for The Fatsquad. In November 2001, McIsaac took part in a benefit show, "Headlocks for Humanity", for the American Red Cross following the September 11th terrorist attacks. It was an interpromotional show, held at Anthony's Function Hall in Somerville, Massachusetts, that included stars from Chaotic Wrestling, the Eastern Wrestling Alliance, and NWA New England. He wrestled and lost to Maverick Wild. A month later, he took part in another benefit show for Sheldon Goldberg's New England Championship Wrestling at Somerville's Good Time Emporium on December 21, 2001. Co-sponsored by Boston rock station WBCN and Budweiser, the proceeds went towards WBCN's "Fund for the Families", which provided money for the families of victims of 9/11. McIsaac appeared on the undercard in an 8-man "Young Lions" elimination tag team match with "Heartthrob" Kurt Adonis, Aaron Morrison and a mystery partner against "Turbo" Tim Fury, Debonair Cruz, "Rapid Fire" Brian Jury and "Sudden Impact" Dylan Kage.