Tyler Black, born as Colby Lopez, started his wrestling career with Scott County Wrestling where he improve his skills under the Gixx. In addition to SCW, he wrestled for IWA Mid-South where he won the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight title in addition to his SCW Heavyweight title. He moved onto NWA Midwest where the Tag Team championships in early 2006.

He debuted with Necro Butcher and Jimmy Jacobs in Ring of Honor by beating up The Briscoe Brothers after they had a ladder match. This group of wrestlers fought against The Briscoes and The Age of the Fall and Black eventually won the ROH Tag Team titles with Jacobs in 2007. In addition to his good showing Bryna Danielson, Black's was looked at as a eventually singles titleholder. Black and Jacobs lost the Tag belts a month after winning them. Black would earn a ROH World Championship title match against Nigel McGuinness but the match turned Black into a fan favorite even though he was a heel. Black and Jacobs would win the ROH Tag Team titles once again after they won an eight man tournament but soon after lost the belts.

Black was in a four-way match for the ROH World Tilte and came his closest to win the titles but came up short as McGuinness retained. In December 2008, he beat Go Shiozaki to win the Full Impact Pro Heavyweight Championship. He lot a number on contender's match due to his partner Jimmy Jacos turning his back on Black. Due to this, Black was granted a non-title match against McGuinness and Black won the match. Black wrestled McGuinness to 60-minute time limit draw with the title on the line in their next encounter. He beat Jacobs in a Steel Cage to end their and he won the 2009 Survival of the Fittest tournatment to earn an ROH World Title shot. He wrestled champion Austin Aries to a time limit draw at Final Battle in December 2009.