Kevin Fertig wrestled in WWE developmental as Seven, a gimmick based off of the seven deadly sins, between April 2002 and April 2004. Then he got the call from WWE creative, saying that he was being brought up. The gimmick, a mix of Vince and Fertig's own ideas, was Mordecai. Mordecai was a religious zealot type character who dressed all in white, carried a massive sword and said he would rid the world of sin. Vignettes began playing hyping his debut, which took place at Judgement Day 2004 (he destroyed Scotty 2 Hotty). Mordecai had a fantastic entrance and the gimmick was kinda cool but, in the ring, he was nothing special. He had more poor showings against other jobbers on Smackdown and against Hardcore Holly at the Great American Bash. The whole time people couldn't help but say 'gee, this is very similar to The Undertaker, isn't it?'. Indeed, that was the point. Mordecai was being groomed for a headline feud with The Dead Man later in the year. But he didn't quite work out. Fertig was sent back to OVW in July, which must have been a huge knock to his confidence. Although some of it was at least his own doing, according to Fertig. He has claimed in interviews since that his involvement in a bar fight, and impending lawsuits, were a reason for the demotion. With Mordecai not having worked out WWE went back to looking at developmental and the main roster for a suitable feud for 'Taker. Their choice? The bumbling John Heidenreich.
