Fertig's televised in-ring debut for the brand on the July 25 episode of "ECW on Sci Fi", defeating Little Guido Maritato, with Ariel acting as his valet. The next week, in another vignette, Ariel revealed his name to be Kevin Thorn. Ariel then increased her ringside presence during Thorn's matches, often interfering in his matches, and Thorn began a scripted feud with Balls Mahoney. In order to counteract Ariel's interference, Mahoney began bringing in Francine as an equalizer. The two teams feuded until early October, until Francine was released by WWE. As Ariel began to feud with Kelly Kelly, Thorn became caught up in the feud and at the December to Dismember pay-per-view, Thorn and Ariel defeated Kelly and Kelly's on-screen boyfriend Mike Knox in a mixed tag team match, after Knox walked out on Kelly.