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. After wrestling sporadically in OVW throughout 2002 and 2003, against wrestlers including Chris Cage and Johnny Jeter, he joined the Disciples of Synn stable. Along with stable-mate Travis Bane, he won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on March 5, 2003, by defeating Lance Cade and Rene Dupree. After holding the championship for just over a month, they were forced to vacate it on April 10, when Bane suffered an injury. In late 2003 and early 2004, Seven and Bane began competing in dark matches prior to the "Raw" television show, using their real names of Kevin Fertig and Travis Tomko respectively.