Released: Charlie Haas

Second time around, not so good

On July 8, 2005, both Charlie Haas and his real-life wife, Miss Jackie, were released from the company, sadly it occured the day after their honeymoon. Haas and Jackie did vow for better or for worse, and hard times hit after. Instead of sulking, Charlie Haas hit the gym, and wrestled around the world in hopes of a second shot in the WWE. Then on April 17, 2006, less than a year later, Charlie Haas had resigned with the WWE, and won his return match against, former tag team partner, Shelton Benjamin. He then started a feud with Viscera over the affection of Lilian Garcia, and would later form a makeshift tag team which spanned till the end of the year.

Then for the first-half of 2007, Charlie Haas reunited with Shelton Benjamin to reform the World's Greatest Tag Team, and feuded with Cryme Tyme, John Cena and Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair and Carlito, and the Hardys. The WGTT had a shot at the World Tag Team Titles against the Hardys in a ladder match at One Night Stand, but were unsuccessful. The team split up when Shelton was drafted to ECW (the first-time).

Afterwards, Haas began impersonating other wrestlers, a concept created by WWE executive, John Laurinaitis. Charlie Haas parodied Carlito, John Cena, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Jim Ross, The Great Khali, Montel Vontavious Porter, legends such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bret Hart, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Hulk Hogan, and even WWE Diva Beth Phoenix for which he won a Slammy Award in 2008.

Charlie Haas remained off screen for the majority of 2009, making minor appearances on SmackDown and WWE Superstars. It was rumored that Charlie Haas had asked for his release towards the end of the year, but WWE insisted that he stay with the company. I wonder why, since they never ended up doing anything with him.

WWE Career Highlights: WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Shelton Benjamin (2) and Rico (1); Slammy Award for Best Impersonation ("The GlamaHaas") (2008)

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Charlie Haas as of today February 28, 2010. We wish Charlie Haas the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Released: Paul Burchill

The Ripper ripped out of his WWE contract

On November 17, 2009, Paul Burchill challenged and lost to The Hurricane in a Mask versus Career match. Who would have known that the stipulation would have contoured to real life? However, in this case, both men were released from their WWE contracts.

Paul Burchill, along with his on-screen sister, Katie-Lea, were drafted from RAW to ECW at the start of 2009. In what should have been a fresh start for the siblings turned into a string of loses ranging from their debut to Paul's release. But let us not forget his victory over Tommy Dreamer, because Burchill may have been a jobber, but he'd be damned if he lost to WWE's resident jobber, Tommy Dreamer.

During his earlier years in the WWE, Paul Burchill teamed with William Regal in an impressive onslaught on the tag team division, however, never winning the tag team titles. And for those that may not recall, Paul Burchill claimed that his family heritage traced back to the pirate Blackbeard; thus the birth of The Pirate, Paul Burchill. His final appearance as The Pirate resurfaced on SmackDown in July 2007, during Edge's World Championship Mardi Gras party, though he was not acknowledged.

I can't say that I didn't see this coming, but Paul Burchill was highly underrated and should have been placed on SmackDown after the demise of ECW. Honestly, if Paul was going head to head with The Hurricane, he should have resorted to his alter-ego, The Pirate, Paul Burchill

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Paul Burchill as of today February 26, 2010. We wish Paul Burchill the best in all future endeavors.

Ohio Valley Wrestling Career Highlight: OVW Heavyweight Championship (4 times); OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Stu Sanders

WWE Released: Shane Helms (The Hurricane)

Without ECW, No Need for a Superhero

In an age of ECW, desperate for a hero, came a man... strong, lightning fast, and unyielding in his fight for good... except for that one time... has been released from the WWE. The worst kept secret in the WWE, Shane Helms mascaraed as The Hurricane in the land of extreme. In ECW, he had two archenemies: Paul Burchill (also released) and Zack Ryder. As far as victories went, Hurricane dominated Burchill every time, and embarrassed Zack Ryder time and again.

Even though Shane sprung for a higher quality costume, the days of The Hurricane died in 2005. During those days, a superhero meant something. The Hurricane had high profile matches and accomplished championship gold with a European, Hardcore, and 2 tag team title wins. The Hurricane even went on to form a core group of superheroes with Rosey and Stacy Keibler. But then the birth of a villain came in Gregory Helms who, even though a member of the RAW roster, participated and won an Open Invitational match for the Cruiserweight title, which was solely defended on SmackDown.

Then on May 18, 2007, WWE reported that Shane had broken two vertebrae in his neck, one of which was pressing on his spinal cord. He underwent surgery with Dr. Lloyd Youngblood; and a few weeks later, it was announced that Gregory Helms would be out for a year due to neck injury.

The Hurricane's second run lasted from April 15, 2009-February 26, 2010. All I can say is...

In an age of the Hulkster, desperate for new talent, comes a man... strong, lightning fast, and unyielding in his fight for good...stand back! Because after 90 days, a free agent is coming through!

With both Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore looking to sign with TNA, if not already, Gregory Helms would make a great addition to the TNA roster.

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Shane Helms (Hurricane) as of today February 26, 2010. We wish Shane Helms (Hurricane) the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Career Highlights: WWF European Championship (1 time); WWE Cruiserweight Championship (2 times); WWE/World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kane (1) and Rosey (1); WWF Hardcore Championship (1 time)

WWE Released: Maria Kanellis

Slammy Award Winning Diva of the Year, just not for 2010

Her legs went on and on for days, the lovely Maria was the heart and soul of the WWE Divas division. And yet, as much as she was beautiful, funny, creative, and probably fun to be around, Maria stood for everything that was wrong with WWE women's wrestling. When your finisher is a running bulldog, there is no doubt that you will not make it in the WWE. However, winning the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year, as voted by the fans, attests to her undying popularity with the WWE Universe; but then the following night, she fought Beth Phoenix and lost miserably.

Other highlights include, gracing the cover of Playboy 2008. Maria joins the list of women posing nude in promotion with the WWE who have been shown the door: Sable, Torrie Wilson, Chyna, Christy Hemme, Candice Michelle, Ashley, and now Maria.

Finally, Maria Kanellis has been a great spokesperson, has appeared in many organizations promoting the company, along with volunteering to go overseas and entertain the troops during the WWE's annual Tribute to the Troops. She was recently involved in another love-angle, this time with Matt Hardy, when the WWE unexpectedly let her go. I for one will miss Maria appearing in the WWE because I feel she is a wonderful person, but as far as wrestling was concern, she was not tough enough.

Her future endeavors include: Celebrity Apprentice, and releasing a pop-rock album entitled: Sevin Sins

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Diva Maria as of today February 26, 2010. We wish Maria the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Released: Eric Escobar

The start of a new year only means one thing... RELEASES are on the rise. Ever since his shortly-lived stint as a heel to his even shorter stint as a babyface, Eric Escobar has been a failed experiment from the beginning. Previously in FCW, Eric finally made his way into the main WWE roster by appearing at the Decade of SmackDown super show as the new arm candy of a returning Vickie Guerrero. His short months with the company was a regurgitation of Edge's two year story line with Vickie. The difference was, Edge is actually entertaining and can wrestle. I had foreseen that this day would come, and frankly he didn't make an impact.

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of Smackdown superstar Eric Escobar as of Jan. 17, 2010. WWE wishes Eric all the best in his future endeavors.

WWE Released: Eugene

Eugene losing the Contract-on-a-Pole Match this past Monday has been once again released from the WWE. However, this could just be concerning Nick Dinsmore's gimmick, since he is still working as a trainer for WWE's developmental territory.


World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Eugene as of August 14, 2009. The WWE and WWEStrikesBack wish Eugene the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Released: Ricky Ortiz

Ortiz was doomed to be released ever since his future was determined way back in ECW. Both Ortiz and Swagger went undefeated for several weeks until they were set to defeat the other's winning streak. Basically, it was the match to determine which superstar would get pushed and who would get left behind. As you can sense, it was Swagger who got the push and eventually became the ECW Champion, while Ortiz got drafted to Smackdown for a heel turn - but kept his same gimmick. Ortiz did nothing evil - except try to rally people up with his Rally Towlie. While on Smackdown, Ortiz jobbed to all the superstars and his final match was Punjabi Plunged by The Great Khali on the August 7th episode of Smackdown.

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms with the release of Smackdown Superstar Ricky Ortiz as of August 8, 2009. WWE and WWEStrikesBack wishes Ricky the best in all future endeavors.

WWE Released: The Brian Kendrick

It doesn't come as a shock that Kendrick has been released seeing as he's been jobbing ever since coming to RAW. With his new gimmick, The Brian Kendrick started rising to the top of Smackdown, but RAW just did not know what to do with him. Interestingly enough, Ezekiel Jackson, the body guard of TBK, is still with the company and will be getting a boost. Very similar to when Shawn Michaels hired Diesel to be his body guard. Not saying that HBK was released, but Diesel did get the push to not only become the I-C Champion, but also in capturing the WWE Title. As for The Brian Kendrick, WWE should have been drafted him to ECW where his character would had a chance to flourish. But hey, what do I know?


World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of RAW Superstar The Brian Kendrick as of July 30, 2009. WWE and WWEStrikesBack wishes Brian the best in all future endeavors.