Charlie Haas Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 9, 2024
Charlie Haas Then
Charlie Haas was born on March 27, 1972, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He developed an interest in wrestling during his high school years, where he excelled as an amateur wrestler.
His skills earned him a wrestling scholarship to Seton Hall University, where he competed at a high level.
At Seton Hall, Haas was a two-time Big East Champion and graduated with a degree in economics and business. Before embarking on his wrestling career, he briefly worked as a stockbroker with Goldman Sachs.
Haas’ early life was marked by a strong commitment to his faith, which he has openly expressed as a devout Christian.
His family’s influence on his career was significant; his grandfather, Hugh Devore, was a respected figure in football, and his brother Russ, who tragically passed away in 2001, was also a professional wrestler.
Charlie Haas Wrestling Career
Charlie Haas began his professional wrestling career in 1996, initially teaming with his brother Russ in various independent promotions.
The Haas Brothers quickly made a name for themselves, capturing multiple championships, including the Jersey All-Pro Wrestling (JAPW) Tag Team Championship and the Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) World Tag Team Championship.
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Their successful run in the independent circuit set the stage for Haas’ entry into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002.
In WWE, Haas and Shelton Benjamin formed the acclaimed tag team known as Team Angle, later rebranded as The World’s Greatest Tag Team. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship twice before splitting in 2004.
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Haas continued to make an impact in WWE, holding the Tag Team Championship with various partners, including Rico. After leaving WWE in 2005, he returned to the independent circuit and later re-signed with WWE in 2006.
Throughout his career, Haas has showcased his versatility, from tag team success to singles competition, and has remained active in various promotions even after his initial retirement from wrestling in 2013.
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Charlie Haas Wrestling Competition
- Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW)
- JAPW Tag Team Championship (2 times) with Russ Haas
- Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)
- CZW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Russ Haas
- Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling (PCW)
- PCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Russ Haas
- East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA)
- ECWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Russ Haas
- Memphis Championship Wrestling (MCW)
- MCW Southern Tag Team Championship (3 times) with Russ Haas
- Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA)
- HWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times) with Shelton Benjamin (2 times) and Rico (1 time)
- Ring of Honor (ROH)
- ROH World Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Shelton Benjamin
- NWA Texas
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW)
- JAPW New Jersey State Championship (1 time)
Charlie Haas’ Wife and Children
Charlie Haas married fellow professional wrestler Jackie Gayda in 2005. The couple had a family together, welcoming four children: Kayla in 2006, Taylor in 2008, Thomas in 2010, and Charles in 2012.
Their marriage was a notable aspect of Haas’ life, intertwining his professional wrestling career with his personal life.
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However, the couple’s relationship faced challenges, and in December 2020, Haas announced their divorce.
In a new chapter of his life, Haas publicly shared on July 9, 2022, via Twitter that he had remarried.
His new wife is Jennifer Haas, marking a fresh start for the former wrestler as he continued to navigate life after his previous marriage.
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Charlie Haas Now
At 52 years old, Charlie Haas remains a notable figure in the professional wrestling world.
Known primarily for his impactful tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2000 to 2009, Haas made a significant mark with his tag team prowess and later as a singles competitor.
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His time in WWE saw him achieve considerable success, particularly through his acclaimed partnerships with Shelton Benjamin as Team Angle and The World’s Greatest Tag Team.
After his initial WWE run, Haas continued to build his reputation in the wrestling circuit, particularly with his tenure in Ring of Honor (ROH) from 2010 to 2013.
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His time in ROH highlighted his versatility and ability to perform at a high level across various wrestling promotions.
Though he announced his retirement from professional wrestling in 2013, Haas made sporadic returns to the ring, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport.
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Beyond the ring, Haas has continued to influence the wrestling world and remains a respected figure among fans and peers.
His journey through both amateur and professional wrestling has left a lasting legacy in the industry.
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FAQs
Charlie Haas initially retired from professional wrestling in March 2013. However, he made a return to the ring in August 2013 and has continued to make sporadic appearances in various wrestling promotions since then.
Shelton Benjamin’s most notable tag team partner was Charlie Haas. Together, they formed the successful tag teams Team Angle and The World’s Greatest Tag Team during their time in WWE.
Charlie Haas has remained active in the wrestling world after his initial retirement, making occasional appearances in different promotions.
He was previously married to Jackie Gayda, with whom he has four children. They divorced in December 2020, and Haas announced his marriage to Jennifer Haas in July 2022.