Matthew Knowles (born October 8, 1974) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name H. C. Loc. He is perhaps best known for his tenure in Ring of Honor, where he is a one time World Tag Team Champion with Tony DeVito as a part of The Carnage Crew. Professional wrestling career Early career (1996–1999) After watching a television advertisement for "Crunchers Gym", a professional wrestling school operated by Bob Bailey, Knowles decided to enroll in order to become a professional wrestler. Despite being uncertain as to whether or not he would be accepted into the school, given that he was exceptionally small for a professional wrestler in the mid-1990s, Knowles contacted Bailey and was admitted to the school. He would then train under Bailey and T.C. Reynolds for six days a week over the course of fifteen months. After taking part in several tag team matches and battle royals, he wrestled his first singles match on August 8, 1996 against Steve Corino in Bailey's own promotion. Knowles originally wrestled under his own name, but later renamed himself to H. C. Loc. The "H. C." stood for "Hard Core" (as in hardcore music, not hardcore wrestling). From 1996 to 1999, Knowles wrestled on the independent circuit in the northeast, appearing on occasion as an enhancement talent with World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. Knowles also competed in the WWF's first-ever intergender match on the April 6, 1998 edition of Raw against Luna, but lost. Extreme Championship Wrestling (1999–2001) In the summer of 1999, Knowles attended a training seminar held by Dory Funk Jr. in Ocala, Florida. Funk arranged for Knowles to have a try-out match with Extreme Championship Wrestling, which he wrestled the next week in Queens, New York. Knowles was hired by ECW on the basis of the match, and originally worked as a member of the ECW ring crew, constructing and dismantling the ring before and after shows. He also acted as a referee who wrestled on occasions. Like many other ECW employees, Knowles received several bounced paychecks as owner Paul Heyman's debts began to spiral out of control. Ring of Honor (2002–2005) Knowles debuted on the inaugural ROH show, Era of Honor Begins, on February 23, 2002 as a referee. On April 27, Knowles formed a tag team with his longtime friend DeVito known as The Carnage Crew. The Carnage Crew was