During WWE’s “Attitude Era,” which featured memorable characters like Kane and supernatural groups such as Gangrel and the Brood, Kevin Fertig later explored paranormal themes with his character Kevin Thorne and his companion Ariel (Shelly Martinez) in ECW in 2006. However, many fans may not realize that Fertig had an earlier, brief stint in WWE as “Mordecai” before he was sent back to OVW for more training. Fertig shared in the “Talk’N Shop” podcast that before Mordecai, he portrayed a character named Seven in OVW inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, influenced by his religious background. The Mordecai persona had a religious zeal and was introduced soon after WrestleMania 20. Fertig recalled a tense meeting with Vince McMahon, who instructed him to shift from tag team wrestling to singles competition, ending his partnership with Tyson Tomko.
Fertig also described his intimidating encounters with Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and Stephanie McMahon, highlighting a strict dress code and McMahon’s piercing gaze. He humorously recalled deciding not to make eye contact with McMahon, whom he described as a “soulless demon.” Mordecai’s on-screen role was designed to enforce McMahon’s vision by punishing wrestlers’ sins, and McMahon had a strong enthusiasm for the character, even influencing the look of Fertig’s partner, Ariel. Unfortunately, the Mordecai character’s momentum was damaged following a match with Bob “Hardcore” Holly, where an incident caused Fertig to feel the mystique of his character was compromised. Despite this setback, Fertig and Holly remained good friends.
If quoting this content, credit should be given to the “Talk’N Shop Podcast” with a hat tip to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Fan Take: This behind-the-scenes glimpse into Kevin Fertig’s brief WWE career as Mordecai shows how creative risks and intense management styles shaped the company’s storytelling in the early 2000s. It underscores the importance of character development and backstage dynamics in wrestling, which continue to influence how WWE evolves and connects with fans today.
