Russ Haas

Professional wrestling career

Haas was a former collegiate wrestler at Seton Hall University. On July 22, 1998, The Haas Brothers won the Jersey All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship by defeating The Skin Head Express. They competed regularly for CZW throughout early 2000, and won the CZW World Tag Team Championship on February 12 at Climbing The Ladder by defeating The Kashmerino Brothers and The Thrill Kill Kult in a three-way match. On July 10, they lost the championship to The Backseat Boyz at Caged To The End, when Johnny Kashmere defeated Russ in a singles match and was awarded the championship.

After a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) tryout match at Madison Square Garden on August 7, 2000, they signed a developmental contract with WWF the following day. Haas was married to a woman named Deedra. On December 15, 2001, CZW's Cage of Death 3 show had a ten bell salute for Haas, with some wrestlers wearing black armbands, and others taping "RH" on their wrestling boots. On December 17, 2001, on Raw, both Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler paid a small tribute to Haas in the middle of the show.

On February 2, 2002, JAPW held the Russ Haas Memorial Show, with the JAPW roster donating their services for the event. There were eight teams in all, but in the end, the team of Bucci and Charlie won the tournament. East Coast Wrestling Association ECWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Charlie Haas Jersey All Pro Wrestling JAPW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Charlie Haas JAPW Hall of Fame (Class of 2007) Memphis Championship Wrestling MCW Southern Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Charlie Haas