In 2005, Carelli trained at and wrestled for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), under the ring name Boris Alexiev (a Russian shoot fighter gimmick).
In 2005, Carelli (as Johnny Geo Basco) trained at and wrestled for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Under OVW's new booker, Paul Heyman, Carelli became Boris Alexiev (a Russian shoot fighter gimmick).