Former WWE and WCW wrestler Sean O'Haire (real name Sean Haire) was found dead in his South Carolina home on Tuesday, Sept. 9, TMZ reports. He was 43.
A Spartanburg, S.C. coroner told the site that a cause of death is not yet known and toxicology testing has already been conducted. O'Haire made his WCW wrestling debut in 2000 and quickly rose to stardom due to his strength and athleticism.
O'Haire and Palumbo were the last tag team to win a championship before WCW folded, in which the pair then brought their talents and the title to WWE. According to the Baltimore Sun, O'Haire and Palumbo soon lost the title to The Undertaker and Kane and a few months the team broke up.
O'Haire was sent to OVW to learn the "WWE style" and re-emerged with the line, "But I'm not telling you anything you don't already know." Soon after Rowdy Piper took O'Haire under his wing but when Piper was released in 2003, O'Haire's wrestling career took a major hit which he never recovered from.
He was released from the WWE in 2004. According to TMZ, he eventually got into kickboxing and MMA before becoming a hair stylist.
News of his death is already being felt throughout the wrestling community.
Wrestler Billy Kidman tweeted, "Doesn't matter how many times it happens, it never gets easier. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. #RIPSeanOHaire."
"#RIPSeanOHaire, former WCW Tag Team Champion whose talents were very underappreciated," @TCB83 posted.
"Another of the good ones gone. #RIPSeanOHaire," @MatthewWinstead wrote.
"I met Sean O'Haire during his WCW days. Was very cool and approachable. Sad to hear he's gone. #RIPSeanOHaire," @FightTimmyFight posted on Twitter.
Former WCW/WWE wrestler Scotty Riggs tweeted, "Just got a message that former wrestler Sean O'Haire has passed away. #RIPSeanOHaire."
Update: TMZ reports that former WWE star Sean O'Haire was found "in his bedroom, beside his bed, with a rope tied around his neck and connected to the bedpost."
The WWE also released the following statement: "WWE extends its condolences to Sean Christopher Haire's family, friends and fans on his passing. Haire performed under the name "Sean O'Haire," and was under contract with WWE from 2001-2004."
