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Profile: Charlie Haas
After an accomplished run in amateur wrestling that saw him named a two-time All American, Charlie Haas began his pro wrestling career teaming with brother Russ on the independent circuit before the pair were signed to WWE developmental deals. However, while working in Ohio Valley Wrestling in December 2001, Russ died of a pre-existing heart condition, leaving Charlie to be called up to WWE on his own. Before every match, Charlie writes "RUSS" on his wrist tape in honor of his late brother.
He debuted on the December 26, 2002 episode of SmackDown with fellow collegiate wrestler Shelton Benjamin as Team Angle, serving as backup to heel WWE Champion Kurt Angle. On June 12, 2003, newly babyface Kurt fired them both in response to their recent losing streak, and the duo renamed themselves The World's Greatest Tag Team, remaining heel. Together they won the WWE Tag Team Titles on two occasions, before Benjamin moved to the Raw brand in the 2004 Draft Lottery.
Flying solo on SmackDown, Haas turned face and began teaming with Rico, playing the "straight" role (in more ways than one) to Rico's comedic flamboyant persona. Together they were managed by Rico's valet Miss Jackie, and won the WWE Tag Team Titles for Charlie's third reign. When Rico departed from the company, Haas returned to the singles ranks with Jackie still by his side, who would go on to be acknowledged as his fiancée. In late 2004, an on-screen love triangle would develop in which Dawn Marie tried to win his affections, leading to a match at Armageddon refereed by Charlie. Following the contest, the angle saw him walk out on both Divas, and he went on to briefly return to the tag division with Hardcore Holly. The following June, Charlie and Jackie got married off-screen, and the next month both were released by WWE.
Haas returned to the independent scene, achieving success in Jersey All Pro Wrestling and reaching the finals of the 2006 ECWA Super 8 Tournament, and briefly became head trainer for Texan promotion Professional Championship Wrestling, before returning to WWE via OVW. On April 17, 2006, he made his Monday Night Raw debut as Rob Van Dam's selected opponent for Shelton Benjamin, and proceeded to defeat his former tag team partner. On June 5, he accidentally knocked ring announcer Lilian Garcia off the ring apron whilst running the ropes before a match, spraining her wrist as she hit the ground at ringside. This incident, while genuine, led to a feud between a heel Charlie and a babyface Viscera over Lilian's affections, ending with both men turning their back on her and embarking on a tag team run until going their separate ways in December.
Since reuniting that same month, The World's Greatest Tag Team have resumed their role as a polished heel unit, this time on the Raw brand. With former Intercontinental Champion Benjamin able to claim the greater singles success of the two, it seems in Charlie's best interests for the team to stay together in pursuit of tag division domination.
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