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10 Intriguing Facts about Sean O鈥橦aire

When debating wrestling鈥檚 greats, Sean O鈥橦aire deserves mention among elite titans like The Rock and Stone Cold. Though the 6鈥�6鈥� powerhouse enjoyed more acclaim in WCW than WWE, O鈥橦aire brought agility and savage strength into every match.

Fusing technical skill with MMA kicks and Muay Thai strikes, his explosive style smashed opponents en route to Tag Team and Cruiserweight gold. Yet Sean excelled beyond wrestling as well – dominating early kickboxing contests and nurturing acting chops in TV cameos.

Had longevity matched O鈥橦aire鈥檚 evident potential, historians might rank this formidable force even more highly for establishing his era鈥檚 most physically imposing heel presence. Even with a less heralded tenure, the entirety of Sean鈥檚 contributions inside the ring and beyond burns bright.

The following ten fascinating facts ahead, affirm why Sean carved such an enduring, if underrated, legacy across sports entertainment. Enjoy.

1. Before WWE He Participated in World Championship Wrestling

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He began his wrestling career in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) after finishing his training at the company’s training school, the WCW Power Plant.

Haire made his live television debut on Nitro on June 26, 2000, alongside fellow Power Plant graduate Mark Jindrak, defeating The Filthy Animals (Rey Mysterio and Juventud Guerrera). He was a 6-foot-6-inch powerhouse.

The Wrestling Observer named Haire “Rookie of the Year” in 2000. He was the WCW World Tag Team Champion three times. Haire was the dying WCW’s favourite son.

He could accomplish manoeuvres like the senton bomb and the standing moonsault, which were previously reserved for high flyers. Haire’s WCW career was cut short when the business was bought by WWE in 2001.

2. Sean O鈥檋aire Made His WWE Debut as Part Of 鈥淭he Alliance鈥�

Sean O’Haire made his WWE debut as part of The Alliance on the June 28, 2001 edition of SmackDown!, attacking the Hardy Boyz.

In the following weeks, O’Haire and his tag team partner Chuck Palumbo began battling with the WWF Tag Team Champions the Acolytes Protection Agency. On July 22, the APA defeated O’Haire and Palumbo in a non-title match at Invasion.

O’Haire and Palumbo fought the APA for several weeks longer but were unable to win the tag team titles. O’Haire and Palumbo’s last aired battle occurred on the August 26 edition of Heat, when they defeated The Holly Cousins (Hardcore Holly and Crash Holly).

Palumbo was kicked out of The Alliance in late October and later joined the WWF. O’Haire was also dispatched to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) for seasoning in September, where he joined Kenny Bolin’s “Bolin Services.”

3. Sean O鈥檋aire Played the Devil鈥檚 Advocate In WWE

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O’Haire returned to WWE on the June 30, 2002 episode of Heat, defeating Justin Credible. Sean O’Haire’s “Devil’s Advocate” character debuted in WWE in January 2003. The character was one-of-a-kind and had never been seen in WWE before. O’Haire encouraged people to perform immoral acts such as adultery, breaking the law, failing to pay taxes, and not going to church, among other things.

The scenes of O’Haire in his black trench coat on an all-white screen were unsettling. It was evident that O’Haire’s “Devil’s Advocate” image was malevolent, and he had no intention of doing good. The figure was incredibly convincing in his preaching, leading people to believe that what he was saying was true.

O’Haire’s acting ability was exceptional and deserves to be recognised. The gimmick was brief, as O’Haire was let go by WWE in April 2004. Despite its limited tenure, the “Devil’s Advocate” concept remains popular among enthusiasts.

4. His Theme Song 鈥淐ome On鈥� Was Written Specifically for Him

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When O鈥橦aire was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) for seasoning, he met the members of an up-and-coming rock band by the name of Waterproof Blonde, whom he became friends with.

After a series of behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, the group composed a song called 鈥淐ome On鈥� with O’Haire in mind. Jim Johnston, a composer who has created many of the most iconic entrance themes in WWE history, was also involved.

 The song served as his comeback theme when he made a reappearance in January 2003 with the well-known Devil’s Advocate persona. During that time, the song was also utilized as the theme song for the WWE Velocity television show. The song was later included on the “WWE: Anthology – The Federation Years, Vol. 2” album.

 The song has a driving guitar riff as well as a catchy chorus that is easy to sing along to. It was an appropriate topic for O’Haire, who was known for his aggressive, no-nonsense demeanour and hard-hitting ring style in the ring.

5. Sean Spent Some Time at The New Japan Pro-Wrestling

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After parting ways with WWE, Sean O’Haire delved into a new wrestling chapter with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), maintaining his ring moniker. In an electrifying showdown at NJPW Nexess on May 3, 2004, O’Haire faced Hiroshi Tanahashi, though the match concluded in a less-than-favorable outcome.

The reunion of O’Haire and wrestling legend Roddy Piper added sparks to the spectacle on July 17, 2004, at a Ballpark Brawl show. Handpicked by Piper, O’Haire clashed with Jimmy Hart’s chosen warrior, Abyss, emerging victorious by disqualification.

The wrestling journey continued as O’Haire joined forces with Chuck Palumbo on February 23, 2005, for UPW’s Homecoming Havoc, engaging in a fierce battle against Tom Howard and Predator, albeit suffering defeat.

Soon after, O’Haire made a pivot, retiring from professional wrestling to channel his focus into the gritty world of mixed martial arts.

Despite this transition, the wrestling universe witnessed O’Haire’s brief return on March 28, 2006, when he reappeared in WWE for a thrilling one-night appearance on WWE Velocity, squaring off against Scotty 2 Hotty in a captivating dark match.

6. Sean O鈥檋aire Was Married to Joy Elizabeth For 1 And A Half Years Before They Divorced

Sean Christopher Haire was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 25, 1971, but spent the majority of his childhood in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Haire competed in many Toughman events before becoming a wrestler, and he was also a part-owner of a fitness centre. He was of Irish descent.

On May 15, 2005, Haire married Joy Elizabeth in Maui, Hawaii. After about a year and a half, the couple divorced.

7. Sean O鈥檋aire Was Arrested Multiple Times

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In 1992, Sean Haire faced legal troubles with an arrest in Hilton Head Island, charged with assault. The drama continued in June 2004 when he was arrested after a nightclub brawl in Hilton Head, accused of assaulting two women.

Eventually, he was convicted of one assault count in 2006. On April 24, 2007, Haire found himself charged with aggravated assault and battery following a bar altercation, but the charge was later dismissed.

The legal saga persisted on September 6, 2009, when he was arrested in Chatham County, Georgia, accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend, resulting in charges of domestic battery and criminal trespassing.

Released on $4,600 bail, Haire faced another arrest on November 23, 2011, in Chatham County, this time charged with simple battery, and he was later released on $1,850 bail.

8. After Sean Was Released by WWE, He Joined Kickboxing

In 2004, Sean Haire ventured into the dynamic world of Japanese kickboxing with a deal from K-1. The anticipation was high for his debut on December 31, 2004, but it unfolded with a second-round knockout loss to Musashi.

Undeterred, Haire took on the challenge of two world grand prix tournaments in Las Vegas, facing formidable opponents like Gary Goodridge (2005) and Chalid Arrab (2006).

However, controversy loomed as questions arose about Haire’s purported record, especially in the lead-up to a supposed showdown with Rick Cheek. K-1 claimed an impressive 10鈥�1 kickboxing and 8鈥�0 MMA record, but scrutiny revealed only his bouts against Musashi in K-1 and Shungo Oyama in MMA.

9. Sean Also Participated in Mixed Martial Arts

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In September 2004, Sean Haire burst onto the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene with a resounding first-round submission victory over Tony Towers. His prowess continued in November 2004 when he triumphed over Pride FC veteran Shungo Oyama with a first-round technical knockout at K-1 Fighting Network Rumble on the Rock 2004.

However, the unpredictable nature of MMA revealed itself when Haire faced 1996 Olympic judo silver medalist Kim Min-soo and suffered a first-round submission defeat.

Stepping into the ring on October 21, 2006, as a replacement for Mark Hunt at Pride 32 in Las Vegas, Haire clashed with Eric “Butterbean” Esch, only to be dealt a knockout blow in the early moments of the first round.

In the intriguing twists of MMA, Haire participated in the Champions Quest Fighting Challenge in 2007, securing victories against Darrell Wood in September and Frankie Parkman in December. Despite his triumphs, Haire mysteriously faded from the MMA scene after December 2007.

10. Sean O鈥檋aire Died on September 9, 2014

Tragically, on September 9, 2014, Sean Haire’s father discovered him lifeless, having hung himself from a bedpost in their shared Spartanburg, South Carolina home.

At 43, his untimely death was confirmed as a suicide by the Spartanburg County coroner’s office, marking the end of a tumultuous struggle.

The news reached the public via a heartfelt Twitter announcement from Haire’s close friend and former WCW wrestler, Scotty Riggs. Haire’s battles with depression and substance addiction had haunted him for years, leading to multiple stints at WWE-sponsored rehab facilities鈥攕ix in the six years preceding his tragic passing.

The wrestling community mourned the loss of a talented soul whose inner struggles ultimately led to an irreversible tragedy.

Sean O’Haire’s legacy is eternally intertwined with his multifaceted talents as a wrestler, kickboxer, and entertainer. His remarkable journey showcased a rare fusion of athleticism and showmanship, leaving an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.

O’Haire’s ability to seamlessly transition between various roles and his captivating performances ensure that his impact on the industry will endure. Though his time was tragically cut short, the memory of Sean O’Haire as a dynamic and intriguing figure remains vivid, cementing his place in the annals of sports and entertainment history.