Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
Lopez made his debut in 2005, wrestling in the Iowa independent scene under the ring name Gixx. He then joined Ian Rotten's Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA) under the name Tyler Black, and entered the "Ted Petty Invitational Tournament", defeating Sal Thomaselli before being eliminated by Matt Sydal in the quarterfinals in Hammond, Indiana on September 23, 2005.