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Pro Wrestling

Kevin Matthew Fertig (January 17, 1977) is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the ring name Kevin Thorn.

Career

Memphis Wrestling (2001)

Fertig wrestled as Seven in Memphis Wrestling and some other independent promotions. He won the MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship on July 7, 2001.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2002-2004)

In April 2002, Fertig signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to their development territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he continued to use the Seven gimmick. In OVW, he joined the Disciples of Synn stable and along with stablemate Travis Bane won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in March 2003, though they were forced to vacate the championship a month later when Bane was injured.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2006-2009)

ECW (2006-2007)

In 2006, Fertig joined WWE's ECW brand as a Vampire, originally appearing on the debut episode of ECW on Sci Fi; he first made appearances standing outside of arenas, looking into the camera, spitting blood, and hissing. Fertig then began appearing in vignettes with Ariel, the tarot card reader, spitting blood at the camera while she "predicted the future of ECW".

Fertig had his (television) in-ring debut on the July 25th episode ECW on Sci Fi, defeating Guido Maritato. During his debut, Ariel acted as his valet. The next week, in another vignette, Ariel revealed his name to be Kevin Thorn.

From there, Ariel increased her presence at ringside, often taking time out of the match to climb onto the apron or under the bottom rope to kiss Thorn while he continued to beat his opponents. In September, Thorn began a Balls Mahoney; after Ariel started to help Thorn win their matches, Mahoney began bringing in Francine as an equalizer. The two teams clashed over the next two weeks, until Francine was released by WWE. As Ariel began to feud with Kelly Kelly, Thorn became caught up in the feud and at December To Dismember, Thorn and Ariel defeated Kelly and Mike Knox after Knox walked out on Kelly. After that, he became a member of the New Breed stable and took part in their feud with the ECW Originals.

CM Punk eventually joined the New Breed after weeks of recruiting. Just two weeks later, however, Punk betrayed the New Breed attacking Elijah Burke after a match. On the May 1, edition of ECW on Sci Fi, Thorn quit the New Breed due to lack of interference during his match with Punk. On the May 8, edition of ECW, after interrupting Ariel's tarot card reading Thorn stated "My future was never the New Breed, and my future is not in these cards, my future is in fresh blood".

On May 18, 2007 Ariel was released by WWE. The following week, Thorn appeared by himself, with the commentators claiming that Thorn was "flying solo." After leaving Ariel, Thorn was pushed, defeating superstars such as Stevie Richards, Balls Mahoney, Nunzio, and Tommy Dreamer. However, his winning streak would come to an end on July 3, on ECW when he lost to CM Punk. Thorn then began a feud with Stevie Richards after he pulled up an upset win over Thorn. After losing to Richards two weeks in a row, he cost himself the third match; he was disqualified for attacking Richards after the bell, following a victory. Two weeks later, however, Thorn defeated Richards after he had attacked Thorn during an interview with Tazz and Joey Styles one week earlier. On the September 18, edition of ECW, Thorn along with Elijah Burke, Dreamer, and Richards involved themselves in an Elimination Chase to No Mercy to face Punk. In their first match, a Fatal Four-Way, Thorn was victorious and eliminated Richards. The next week, Thorn was eliminated following a defeat in a triple threat match. On November 20, 2007, Thorn debuted a new look, with shorter hair and different ring attire, while defeating Nunzio.

Soon after this image change, Thorn was taken off of television and sent to train in WWE developmental territories; Ohio Valley Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling, while still appearing at WWE house shows and in dark matches. In OVW he began wrestling under his real name, Kevin Fertig and was a cocky heel (no longer a vampire). After OVW shut down, Fertig was moved back to FCW. He expressed dissatisfaction with his new more realistic gimmick. On January 9, 2009 he was released from his WWE contract by request. but his contract didn't technically end until April 5, 2009.

Independent circuit

Fertig began using the Kevin Thorn gimmick again in various independent promotions such as 1PW and DPW. At the September 1, 2009, tapings of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact! television show Fertig wrestled in a dark match under the ring name Serpent, losing to Kip James. Fertig appeared at The Scottish School of Wrestling in West Lothian on October 16 where he faced off against Aaron RON Jeremi. He also teamed with Ron as Rage and Storm attacked both Jeremi and Fertig. The following night at Premier British Wrestling's 'Maximum Impact' He had a match with Darkside, Charles Boddington was Darkside's manager and 24:7 promotions' Tom Aitken stepped up to the plate as ring announcer.

Personal life

Fertig has a son. He also is friends with Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy.

In wrestling

  • Finishing moves
    • The Crucifix/Crucifix powerbomb
    • Dark Kiss/Original Sin
    • Sitout side slam spinebuster
  • Signature moves
    • Backbreaker drop
    • Big boot
    • Clothesline
    • Flapjack
    • Gutbuster drop
    • Shoulder jawbreaker
    • Sleeper hold
  • Nicknames
    • "The Pale Rider"(WWE)
    • "The Fanged Freak"(ECW)
    • "The ECW Vampire"(ECW)
  • Entrance music
    • "Break Stuff" by Limp Bizkit (OVW)
    • "Pale Rider" (WWE)
    • "Mi Destrojero"(ECW)

Championships and accomplishments

  • UK Wrestling Experience
    • UKW Championship (1 time)

External links

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