In November 2006 it was revealed that Castagnoli had signed a developmental deal with the World Wrestling Entertainment, having impressed them with an appearance on "Raw" (as a police officer in a backstage segment) and a successful tryout for Deep South Wrestling.
В 2006 году Кастаньоли подписал контракт с World Wrestling Entertainment, когда впечатлил своим присутствием на "Raw" (в роли офицера полиции в закулисном сегменте) и успешно прошел в Deep South Wrestling.