I started this site in September of 2001 in the aftermath of Sean being sent down from WWE programming to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Granted, I was angry that he wasn't going to be on Smackdown or Raw anymore because I really liked watching him. I "discovered" him late in the WCW heyday, suffered through his absence while the Invasion angle was cooked up, and was just getting used to seeing him again when he was sent away. A lot of the thoughts reflected below came out of that annoyance. In the time since then, my thoughts have changed dramatically. I ask you to take the thoughts below with a grain of salt. This website started as my own nearly private way to lament his absence, but it has grown into much more than that. I do add to the thoughts from time to time, and I welcome your comments. Already I've received numerous e-mails from O'Haire fans, and some of them have a lot of insight.
Misunderstanding is a cold thing. Again this site and its intent has been misunderstood. Apologies all around.
In the past few weeks I have added several new members to the Sean O'Haire Fanlist (Nightmare) and that is a true testimonial to the fact that there are many out there who feel the same way I do. UPDATE 11/08/05
I get many emails from people who are very bitter about the way I run this site. Many people are incensed that I don't report information about Sean O'Haire's personal life, but as that was never the original intent of the site I can't see the need to start doing so now. My original goal was to report only on his professional career. I think that perhaps people have the wrong impression, so I'll state for the record that I am forty-seven years old, and have been happily married for the past twenty-four years. Running this site is something I enjoy doing in my free time, but I have a full time job as an elementary school teacher, and I assist my husband in running a rather large online magazine. As a result, the news I report here is not as up to the minute as some other sites. Also, because I frequently get emails that question my sources, I have a subscription to the hard copy of the Wrestling Observer newsletter, it comes in the mail each Friday. Hopefully that will clear up the misconceptions.
UPDATE 11/21/04
I'm sure I've stated this before, but I'm going to say it again. I run this website for myself, and only for myself. If other people come here and get useful information, and enjoy it, then I'm happy. I have no ties whatsoever to Sean O'Haire. I've never met him, nor will I ever more than likely. I enjoy watching him, in whatever he chooses to do. I'm not clamoring for him to return to professional wrestling because clearly, that's not what he wants to do. I get the strong impression every time I hear him give an interview that he fully enjoys full contact fighting, and so I am happy that he's gotten the chance to pursue it. In any case, no one has any say into what does or doesn't go into this site except for me. I choose to keep his private life private. If he wants to talk about it elsewhere, that is entirely up to him, but until he specifically tells me to include things like his mug shot, or personal pictures, I will continue to refrain. And of course, the chances of that happening are slim to none, so if that's what you're looking for in an O'Haire fansite you'll have to look elsewhere.
In a lot of respects, I am not surprised at O'Haire's recent success in Rumble On The Rock. He had a huge size advantage over Oyama, and in fact wasn't even in his same weight category to start with. Oyama has been in the ring with some of the greats of MMA fighting, and thus his record is misleading. I'd like to see O'Haire in an actual fight against the likes of Mighty Mo, instead of sparring. I'd like to see him in a fight against some of the fighters that Oyama has faced in the past. I hope O'Haire continues to get an opportunity with MMA, and I'll certainly be trying to bring you as much information on that that I can.
UPDATE 04/10/04
As we all know by now, Sean O'Haire was released from his WWE contract. More than likely he has a 90-day no-compete clause in his release, that seems to be standard. Currently I have no idea where he will end up. There has been a lot of speculation about the reasons why he was released, but as you know, this site is not about speculation, rather it's about facts.
The only fact I know right now is that he's released. Of course, this news distresses me greatly. My opinion is that he didn't get a fair shake with WWE. Just as he came up the first time from OVW he sustained an injury and had to sit out. Eventually they brought him back up with an incredible gimmick, evil incarnate. I'm not sure what happened to that routine, but it settled into a partially evil side-kick for Roddy Piper, and when Piper was let go that left Sean in the lurch again.
Sean O'Haire has a lot of talent. He has as much, if not more than half of the current WWE roster. It really breaks my heart to see how WWE misuses talent. Doug Basham, Nick (Eugene) Dinsmore, and Damaja (Danny Basham) have all been put in deplorable angles. The three of them were the original cadre of wrestlers at OVW, back BEFORE it was a developmental territory. It's ridiculous to see them used the way they have been.
If more information comes to light, I'll be sure to pass it along, but right now all I know is that WWE let go of a tremendous talent, and we can only hope that something bigger and better comes his way.
UPDATE 02/04/04
People have been asking me what's going on with Sean, was he in a motorcycle accident, where is he, is he coming back, etc...? I've never claimed to have any inside track to Sean O'Haire, and I still don't. I'm one of those oddballs that thinks that his personal life is just that...a personal life. Sure, I read the Wrestling Observer every week, and I know what the rumors are, but I'm not in the habit of passing them along here. I wish Sean O'Haire all the best in the world, but as far as what is in store for him now, we'll all find out together.
UPDATE 05/04/03
Can I say I was excited when I saw that Sean was brought back along with Piper? I'm a relatively new wrestling fan, but I do remember watching the old WWF back in the early 80's, and Piper was always my favorite at the time. He always seemed to have that devil may care attitude, and I totally LOVED watching him. Sean seemed to be an ideal match with him, and it seems to be the latest trend in the WWE, matching veterans with rookies. (Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman, Dave Batista with Ric Flair, Nathan Jones with Undertaker to name a few). Sean with Piper was a great choice. Now, it seems as though the crowd is cold on this alliance. Well, can you blame them? In yet another example of WWE missing the boat, they've dropped this huge buildup they were giving Sean as Devil's Advocate. Now he's just a guy with an aging wrestler. On top of that, the rumor is somehow WWE blames this lack of response on Sean. Excuse me? Sean O'Haire has everything Vince McMahon seems to want in a wrestler, yet he's being blamed when the fans are confused about his direction. That just isn't right, however it's typical of WWE. I'm taking a wait and see attitude.
UPDATE 02/07/03
I'm still not quite certain which roster Sean will end up on, Raw or Smackdown. In my humble opinion, just because he showed up on Smackdown last night doesn't mean he'll be on the SD roster. He has been wrestling dark matches and house shows with the Raw roster. We'll have to wait and see.
UPDATE 01/30/03
Last night, at the Ohio Valley Wrestling TV taping, Sean QUIT Bolin Services, and afterwards received the traditional beat-down that all wrestlers receive upon leaving. I clearly remember it happening to John Cena, and Rico. I seem to recall that when David (Leviathan) Batista left it was the other way around, and HE beat his stablemates up instead. In any case, I find it odd that I'm saddened by the prospect that Sean is now leaving OVW. Here I was so incensed when he was sent there in the first place (in fact, incensed enough that I made this whole website!), and now I feel sad that he's leaving. I wish him all the best of luck of course. I'm thankful for the kindness of the people at OVW, the friendships I made with them because I was hungry for information about Sean, the frienships I will keep, even now that he's leaving. For me, Sean's tenure at OVW was an exciting time.
UPDATE 11/30/02
Is Sean on Smackdown or Raw? The WWE can't seem to make up their minds. Last June he was enjoying a successful run with Raw on Heat, and then an injury slowed his momentum. When he recovered from that, he was back on Heat again, until the injury was re-aggravated, and he was forced to sit on the sidelines again. Upon recovering from that, he's now made appearances with both Smackdown and Raw rosters. Here's what I think, and you know I'm biased, PUT HIM ON RAW!!!! Without getting into the politics that surround both shows, I'd say Raw is the place for him. Why? David Batista. Plain and simple. Whether tagging together, or in a feud, the "monster" and the "demon" would make for exciting matches. Besides, as was pointed out to me, Batista makes me breathless, and Sean makes me breathe. *grin*
UPDATE 5/4/02
I don't ordinarily go looking for articles about Sean, but I happened upon the Hilton Head, South Carolina newspaper, and I found an article that was special. It really gave me some insight into the man that is Sean O'Haire, and it made me kind of teary-eyed too. Go here to read it.
UPDATE 2/25/02
Sean O'Haire and Mark Jindrak are slowly developing the psychological aspect of the game but have all the physical gifts necessary to do very well in our business. Ring psychology, the thinking part of the match, is a very difficult and challenging skill to develop. I would love to see these two make it to the main stage, and perhaps they will in time.
~~From The Ross Report 2/22/02
I'm torn. Jim Ross has a way of saying things that makes one think...gee, what is he really saying? It almost seems like he's talking about O'Haire and Jindrak as if they're just guys that are in development, and of course, they are NOT! Heck, these two had a prominent place on WCW programming. They had all the in-ring psychology they needed. The fact that they weren't really given a chance with the WWF always ticks me off. I think "perhaps they will in time" is a cop-out. They should NOW! But, on the other hand, the report from this week covered a lot of talent that is currently at OVW/HWA...and he did mention O'Haire and Jindrak toward the beginning of the list. BAH! I just hope they decide to bring them back soon!
9/14/01
A WWF source tells PWTorch.com that the company informed Sean O'Haire that he is being sent to one of its developmental territories (either Ohio Valley or Heartland Wrestling) for additional training. The source notes that O'Haire appeared to be "relieved" after being told of the decision because "he realized he wasn't ready (for the WWF)."
~~From Pro Wrestling Torch September 6, 2001
In Droz's column at WWF.com this week he said when he was backstage at the Philadelphia Raw show, everyone came up and talked to him except for Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire. Seems as if Palumbo and O'Haire are gaining a reputation for not being very social. A few weeks ago those two made the news in a similar situation with Undertaker by not introducing themselves to him. Droz also said his wife called them rude bastards.
~~From Lords of Pain August 4, 2001
The above two articles were the impetus for me creating this site. Sean O'Haire has impressed me since early this year when WCW Nitro and Thunder were still on the air. He combines strength and agility, and is a joy to watch in the ring. I was deeply saddened when WCW programming went off the air.
Then, on June 28 he returned, along with his tag-team partner Chuck Palumbo. It was the only time I remember seeing his signature Seanton Bomb in what was to become a short run with the WWF. Even though Matt Hardy was the victim, it was a beautiful thing, and I was more than pleased to see him back.
Eventually, I hope to expand on my thoughts about Sean O'Haire, but currently all I can say is this. I find it very hard to believe that he is "relieved" to be sent to OVW. I feel like perhaps some of his actions were misinterpreted, or blown out of proportion. That other wrestlers in the WWF locker room have to impose their "superstar" status in the manner in which they do is unconscionable.
Granted, it was also said that he needs to work on his timing. Well, while I admit that I tend to view him through rose-colored glasses, even I can admit that perhaps his timing was a little off. However, it is my humble opinion that perhaps these petty doings amongst the others in the locker-room were affecting him. This is not to mention the fact that he and Palumbo were rarely used on the televised shows. I'm sure that there is a difference between performing before television cameras and performing in house shows. I am certain that Sean O'Haire is not the only wrestler who was thrown off as far as timing issues. I became increasingly annoyed at the comments by Jim Ross, Paul Heyman and the others that O'Haire and Palumbo "lack experience." News flash guys…everyone had to start somewhere!
I firmly hope that the WWF will return Sean to his full status in the near future. In the meantime, I'm watching and supporting Chuck Palumbo.
Please take a moment to sign my Guestbook, and leave your thoughts about this talented wrestler.
The above image courtesy of the Island Packet newspaper.