Charlie Haas

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This article is about the professional wrestler. For the film and television director, see Charles F. Haas. For the screenwriter, see Charles S. Haas.
Charlie Haas
An image of Charlie Haas.
Statistics
Ring name(s) Charlie Haas[1]
R.C. Haas[1]
Billed height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Billed weight 242 lb (110 kg)[2]
Born March 27, 1972 (1972-03-27) (age 36)[3]
Edmond, Oklahoma[2]
Resides Houston, Texas
Billed from Dallas, Texas
Edmond, Oklahoma[2]
Trained by Jim Kettner[1]
John Smith[1]
"Iron" Mike Sharpe[1]
Vince Sylva[1]
Jim Rogers[1]
Debut 1996[1]

Charles David Haas Jr.[citation needed] (born on March 27, 1972),[3] is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its RAW brand.[2]

Contents

Early career

Haas was a two-time Big East Champion at Seton Hall University, and, after graduation, he became a stockbroker with Goldman Sachs.[2] However, he had always wanted to wrestle, and eventually began to work on the independent circuit.[2]

Independent Circuit

Haas regularly teamed with his brother Russ Haas for numerous independent promotions, most notably Jim Kettner's East Coast Wrestling Association, before WWE came calling. The two worked their way through the tag ranks in the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA), as well as Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Tragically, Russ died from a heart attack, due to a pre-existing heart condition, on December 15, 2001 at age 27.[4][5] To honor the memory of his fallen brother, Charlie began using the name R.C. (Russ-Charlie) Haas before being called up to WWE roster.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2002-2005)

Haas debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment on the December 26, 2002 episode of SmackDown! as a heel along with Shelton Benjamin as "Team Angle".[2] The tag team was the "contingency plan" of Paul Heyman, and were intended to help WWE Champion Kurt Angle retain his title, attacking Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar in an attempt to soften them up. Angle eventually fired Team Angle after he turned face and they began to question his leadership. The duo then dubbed themselves "The World's Greatest Tag Team", although announcers made sure to add "Self Proclaimed" to the name. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship on two occasions[6] before being separated when Benjamin was moved to RAW as part of the 2004 draft lottery.[7]

Haas with The World's Greatest Tag Team partner Shelton Benjamin.
Haas with The World's Greatest Tag Team partner Shelton Benjamin.

Haas eventually turned face and with his valet Miss Jackie by his side, began to team with Rico to win the tag team titles once again.[6] After Rico was released from his contract, Haas struck out on his own again, accompanied by Miss Jackie. Haas would come out the loser in a match against Luther Reigns at the Great American Bash.[8]

Haas was later involved in an angle in which he was in a love triangle with Miss Jackie (acknowledged on air as his fiancée) and Dawn Marie. The story culminated when Haas served as the referee in a match at Armageddon 2004 between the two women.[9] After the match, Haas left both women (for kayfabe purposes; his off-screen relationship with Miss Jackie continued). At the same time, he had formed a tag team with Hardcore Holly.[10] They feuded with MNM for the WWE Tag Team Championship, but never won the titles.[11][12]

On July 8, 2005, Haas was released by World Wrestling Entertainment along with his wife, Jackie Gayda.[13][14]

Jersey All Pro Wrestling

He returned to Jersey All Pro Wrestling that same month,[15] and began a feud for the JAPW Heavyweight Championship with Jay Lethal. On September 10 at JAPW Haas of Pain, Lethal defeated Haas to retain his title.[16]

He won the Natural Heavyweight Championship at Ballpark Brawl V on August 13, 2005, defeating then-champion Christopher Daniels and Chris Sabin in a triple-threat match.[17] He successfully defended the title the next night at Ballpark Brawl VI against Harry Smith with Mick Foley as a referee.[18][19] He was stripped of this title when he returned to WWE, and has thus far been the only man to successfully defend the title.

During his time back in the independents, Haas competed in the 2006 ECWA Super 8 Tournament, going all the way to the finals before losing to Davey Richards.[20]

In JAPW, on October 27, 2007, Charlie Haas was inducted along with his late brother Russ into the first class of the Jersey All Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.[21]

Professional Championship Wrestling

In November 2005, Haas became the temporary head trainer for Professional Championship Wrestling in Arlington, alongside TNA superstar Lance Hoyt. Haas made his PCW debut in January defeating Lance Hoyt. He also wrestled more matches with PCW wrestlers Mike Foxx, Mace Malone, Eddie Atlas, and Stephen Murphy, just days before his return to WWE in April.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005-present)

Haas calls to the crowd following a hot tag from long-time partner Shelton Benjamin in late 2007.
Haas calls to the crowd following a hot tag from long-time partner Shelton Benjamin in late 2007.

In late December 2005, Charlie Haas re-signed with WWE, returning to OVW on February 22, 2006. He returned to WWE television on the April 17, 2006 episode of RAW as Rob Van Dam's handpicked opponent for his former partner, Shelton Benjamin. Haas defeated Benjamin in the ensuing match.[22] Haas continued to wrestle on the lower midcard spot, becoming a regular fixture on Heat.

On the June 5, 2006 edition of RAW, Charlie Haas inadvertently knocked Lilian Garcia off the ring apron as he was entering the ring.[23] It was announced on WWE.com that as a result, Lilian suffered a sprained wrist.[23] He received no heat over this as everyone understood it was a legitimate accident. The result was a feud with Lilian's onetime storyline love interest Viscera[24], and Haas's second heel run of his career in WWE. Haas made advances towards Lilian, at one point forcefully kissing her and then dropping her to the ground.[25] Haas and Viscera continued to fight for Lilian's affection in the ring, until Lilian stated to the both of them that she wanted to be "just friends".[26] Haas gave Viscera an eye rake in anger, and a blinded Viscera accidentally gave Lilian a Samoan drop.[26] Though it was unintentional, when both Charlie and Viscera had seen what had happened to their now former love interest, they simply had a laugh about it.[26] After that, Viscera and Charlie became a tag team, usually found competing for the World Tag Team Championship or in random matches on Heat until splitting in December 2006.

After Shelton Benjamin won a match against Super Crazy on the December 4, 2006 edition of RAW, Haas came out to celebrate his win with a bewildered Benjamin.[27] Haas and Benjamin announced the return of The World's Greatest Tag Team on the December 11, 2006 edition of RAW, and they defeated The Highlanders in their return match.[28] They then started a feud with Cryme Tyme.[29][30][31] Since the reunion of the World's Greatest Tag Team, Haas began a new gimmick where he looked and acted "wiggerish". Examples of this include speaking in a manner imitative of Ebonics in promos, doing the Westside gang sign in his entrance (despite being from Oklahoma), wearing a Bloods bandana in at least one match, and at one point making his hair into cornrows. However, this minor gimmick was quickly discarded and Haas reverted back to his original look from his first run in WWE, albeit with blonde hair. Benjamin & Haas then competed regularly on RAW and Heat, sometimes in singles matches.

The World's Greatest Tag Team feuded briefly with the Hardy Boyz;[32][33] at the One Night Stand pay-per-view on June 3, 2007, they challenged the Hardys for the World Tag Team Championship in a ladder match but came up short.[34]

The World's Greatest Tag Team broke up once again when Shelton Benjamin moved to the ECW brand on November 20, 2007.[35]

Early in 2008, Haas developed a gimmick in which he would go under the ring in the middle of his matches and re-emerge wearing a mask, and sometimes a new outfit to match. In this "alter-ego," Haas sometimes performs luchador-like maneuvers, though often in a comical fashion (such as going for a top rope splash, but landing on his feet and hitting a standing splash). Wearing the mask seems to give Haas more confidence. However, the opponent usually ends up unmasking him, to which Haas acts shocked. While he ceased doing this routine for every match, he again doned a mask for the final episode of Heat as he defeated Robbie McAllister after a crossbody.

In wrestling

Haas (left) with Rico (center) and Miss Jackie (right).
Haas (left) with Rico (center) and Miss Jackie (right).

Finishing and signature moves

Managers

Entrance themes

Championships and accomplishments

Haas is a three–time Tag Team Champion in WWE.
Haas is a three–time Tag Team Champion in WWE.
  • Ballpark Brawl
    • Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[36]
  • Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling
    • PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Russ Haas[40]
  • Phoenix Championship Wrestling
    • PCW Russ Haas Memorial Tag Team Tournament winner - with Nova in 2002[41]

Personal life

Haas was a former amateur wrestler who wrestled for Seton Hall University and was named a 2 time All American; he also has various other awards for wrestling from high school.[43]

According to Haas via the Q&A section on his website, he is a devout Christian. [44]

On June 10, 2005, Haas married wrestler Jackie Gayda.[13] It was announced on May 5, 2006 that they were expecting their first child. On December 14, 2006 at 3:01 a.m., Gayda gave birth to a daughter, Kayla Jacquelyn Haas, who weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces (2.9 kg), and was 19.5 inches (500 mm) long.[13][45][46] Jackie is currently expecting her second child with husband Charlie Haas.[47]

On August 30, 2007, an article on Sports Illustrated's website named Haas as one of ten superstars found to have purchased illegal steroids not in compliance with WWE's Talent Wellness program. He was allegedly prescribed anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone, and chorionic gonadotropin between August 2006 and January 2007.[48][49]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Charlie Haas Profile. Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2008-03-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Charlie Haas Bio. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  3. ^ a b Charlie Haas. Gerweck. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
  4. ^ Russ Haas Found Dead at Age 27.
  5. ^ a b c Russ Haas.
  6. ^ a b c History Of The WWE Tag Team Championship. WWE.
  7. ^ The 2004 WWE Draft Lottery. WWE.
  8. ^ THE GREAT AMERICAN BASH 2004 RESULTS. WWE.
  9. ^ ARMAGEDDON 2004 RESULTS. WWE.
  10. ^ RUSH TO JUDGMENT. WWE (May 19, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  11. ^ WINNER'S CHOICE. WWE (May 26, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  12. ^ DRAFT IS COMING. WWE (June 2, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  13. ^ a b c Jackie Gayda Biography.
  14. ^ WWE releases several Superstars. WWE (2005-07-08). Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
  15. ^ Gored. JAPW (07/16/2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
  16. ^ Haas of Pain. JAPW (09/10/2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
  17. ^ Mike Rickard II (August 13, 2005). Ballpark Brawl V: Bang! Bang! Have a Nice Day!. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. “Haas small packaged Daniels for the pin, winning the title.”
  18. ^ Ballpark Brawl Alumni. Ballpark Brawl. Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  19. ^ Ballpark Brawl VI. Online World Of Wrestling (August 14, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-01-14.
  20. ^ ECWA Super 8. Online World Of Wrestling (April 8, 2006). Retrieved on 1008-01-14.
  21. ^ a b JAPW Hall of Fame 2007. JAPW (October 2001). Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
  22. ^ A sign of what's to come?. WWE (April 17, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  23. ^ a b Kiss this. WWE (June 5, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  24. ^ An extreme awakening makes Cena snap. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  25. ^ Louie Dee (June 26, 2006). It happens. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  26. ^ a b c Ed Williams III (July 10, 2006). Service with a slam. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-17.
  27. ^ Brett Hoffman (December 4, 2006). Divide and conquer. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  28. ^ Cena stands tall. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  29. ^ Dx lives. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  30. ^ Has he made his decision?. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  31. ^ Tickets punched for WrestleMania. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  32. ^ Gold digging. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  33. ^ The last stand before One Night Stand. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  34. ^ The Hardys climb another ladder of success. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  35. ^ Heating up for the holidays. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  36. ^ Mike Rickard II (August 13, 2005). Ballpark Brawl V: Bang! Bang! Have a Nice Day!. Retrieved on 2008-01-13. “Haas small packaged Daniels for the pin, winning the title.”
  37. ^ ECWA Hall Of Fame Inductees.
  38. ^ HWA Heavyweight Title History.
  39. ^ M.C.W. Southern Tag Team Title. WrestlingTitles.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-04.
  40. ^ Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling Title Histories. Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  41. ^ Charlie Haas Bio. Gerweck. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  42. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners - Tag Team of the Year. Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  43. ^ setonhalluniversity.com
  44. ^ Haas of Pain.com
  45. ^ Jackie Gayda News. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
  46. ^ Zack Zeigler (December 14, 2006). Full Haas. WWE. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.
  47. ^ Jason Powell of prowrestling.net is reporting that former WWE and TNA diva Jackie Gayda, the wife of Charlie Haas, is pregnant with the couple's second child.
  48. ^ SI.com - More Sports - Fourteen wrestlers tied to drug pipeline - Thursday August 30, 2007 7:47PM
  49. ^ Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring - washingtonpost.com

External links

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