Credited to PWTBS 2000

by: Bob Magee
Next, thoughts on this past weekend's Russ Haas Memorial....

Congratulations to Frank Iadevia, Jeff Shapiro, Pierre Pilger, Ray Sager and the 85 wrestlers from 14 states; including Ghost Shadow, Jay Lethal, Deranged, Rainchild, Jacey North, Chino Martinez, JT Jobber, Katerina Heiss, IPW Hardcore/Florida's Seijin Akki, The Shane Brothers and Ron Niemi, Crazy Ivan, Shaolin Wrecking Crew, Christopher Street Connection, Suba, Magic, Dave Greco, Orphan, Lowlife Louie Ramos, Laithon, Kory K, Slyk Wagner Brown, April Hunter, Stryker, The Big Unit, Don Montoya, Mike Quackenbush, The Boogie Knights, Elax, Ric Blade, Donnie B., Kid Kruel, Allison Danger, Low-Ki, Charlie Haas, Devon Storm, Simon Diamond, Dawn Marie, The Hit Squad, Dixie, Insane Dragon, and Homicide.

All came to Bayonne, New Jersey to honor Russ Haas on Saturday night at Charity Hall in Bayonne, NJ in front of an turnaway crowd of 400. 60 more were turned away by the Bayonne Fire Marshall.

The event raised $5,000 for the Haas family.

The show began with JAPW promoter Frank Iadevia and the JAPW locker room emptying to an loud emotionally charged crowd there to pay tribute. Iadevia gave his thoughts on the meaning of the night, choking back tears.

A great video featuring action from Russ and Charlie Haas's careers was then played for the crowd, to the tune of Sarah McLaughlin's "I Will Remember You" and the Haas Brothers theme song AC-DC's "TNT".

Watching huge, street-tough guys like Homicide and the Hit Squad openly crying along with many within the crowd made for a moving beginning to the evening.

Charlie Haas, with Russ Haas's wife Deidre spoke to the crowds, thanking them for coming. He told the crowd of how he'll carry out his brother's dream for him.

For those of you who weren't able to attend the show and would like to make a contribution to the Haas family, you can be aware that ModTrom Productions will be selling the entire video from the Russ Haas Memorial Show which will include the opening tribute video.

While the tape is being sold via other sources, fans can be aware that this version of the tape will provide a portion of the proceeds to the Haas family. The tape will be ready in about 2 weeks.

ModTrom will also be working with JAPW promoter Frank Iadevia in the establishment of some sort of donation fund, for those who would like to donate directly. I'll post information here regarding the Russ Haas memorial fund as soon as it becomes available.

Moments like Saturday night's show show the best in the wrestling business. It's a pity that there aren't more of them.... for happier reasons.