At 3:34pm i received a phone call from a friend informing me that Russ Haas had passed away this morning.. He had died of a heart attack.. My first reaction was, Your Kidding Me Right!!! But he replied i wish i was kidding you but i'm not. I told him i would call him back... When I hung up I sat there in silence and I also sat there in total shock.. I still couldn't believe that Russ passed away.... So i turned on my webtv and went to 1wrestling.com.... As i waiting for the page to load i was hoping that this was all some stupid cruel joke.... The page came up, so i looked for his name and sadly found it .... So i sat there remembering all the times Russ would help me out with my moves or spots.. God as i am writing this now i'm still in shock.. And i can't believe that i will never be able to see or talk to Russ again....... I would like to thank The Haas Brothers.... For all those times they've helped me and trained with me in the ring.... I would also want to send my condolences to Russ's wife and his big brother Charlie Haas To Russ all though i will miss you terribly i will never forget you thank you for everything... Ron Price

This From The HoustonChronicle Dec. 22, 2001, 10:27PM Wrestler `Russ´ Haas, aimed for big time By JANETTE RODRIGUES Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle Thomas Russell "Russ" Haas, who was working his way up through the World Wrestling Federation's farm league to the big show, died Saturday in Cincinnati. He was 27. He suffered from coronary heart disease, said Charlie D. Haas, his brother and tag-team wrestling partner. His family and the wrestling world were stunned when he suffered a heart attack in September. Born in Little Rock, Ark., Haas graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He considered Houston his second home because of family ties to the area. Although his grandfather, the late Hugh Devore, was a onetime Houston Oilers assistant coach and Notre Dame head coach, Haas decided to make his mark in professional wrestling. "Russ Haas was one of our shining lights at the Heartland Wrestling Association, and he was an even better human being," said Jim Ross, WWF senior vice president of talent relations. Located in Cincinnati, the HWA has been a proving ground for WWF wrestlers such as D-Lo Brown, Road Dogg, Al Snow and Cactus Jack. Wrestling under the tag-team names "Haas Brothers" and "Haas of Pain," the brothers paid their dues for five years on the independent professional wrestling federation circuit. They signed with the WWF a year ago. "The WWF was close to bringing us up," said Charlie Haas. "The WWF had high expectations for us." Russ Haas' cardiologist had recently cleared him to return to wrestling, and Charlie Haas watched his brother wrestle Friday. "We went back to his house to watch the tapes," Haas said. "He was so excited to get back to wrestling. He seemed in the perfect health." Charlie Haas left his brother watching television at about 3 a.m. A short time later, Russ Hass' wife, Deedra, found him dead. Russ Haas was scheduled to see another cardiologist Tuesday, because the WWF wanted a second opinion before allowing him back in the ring. Haas is also survived by his parents, Charles and Noreen Haas; sisters, Cara Marie Haas and Kelly Marie Church; and grandparents, Harlan and Virginia Haas. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. today at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc.

This is from wwf.com Developmental talent Russ Haas, 27, dies in his sleep World Wrestling Federation Entertainment today said that Russ Haas, one of its developmental talent, died in his sleep last night. He was 27 years old. Haas, at the time of his death, had not been active in wrestling because of a heart condition that had been diagnosed several months ago. He had been cleared recently by his cardiologist to return to active wrestling. At the WWF's request, Haas had been scheduled to be examined for a second opinion this coming Tuesday before returning to in-ring action. "Russ Haas was one of our shining lights at Heartland Wrestling Association, and he was an even better human being," said Jim Ross, Senior Vice President, Talent Relations. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the Haas family. Russ will truly be missed by all who knew him."

If anybody would like to add a favorite picture, comment, or memory please sign my guestbook or e-mail me @ RonPriceGun4Hire@webtv.net thank you........ Ron Price