Evan Karagias

Born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina, Evan Karagias attended Hunter Huss High School. He became active in the school theater program and won a full collegiate wrestling scholarship to North Carolina State University (Raleigh). At NCSU Evan pursued studies in political science and theater arts. On completion of studies, and after having taken the Wolfpack Wrestling Team to the NCAA Finals, Evan moved to New York City to pursue an acting and modeling career. In 1995, he met his wife, Jennifer, on the set of All My Children (1970). He also became the spokesmodel for the 1996 Calvin Klein and US Olympic Committee advertising campaigns. At the same time, Evan was recruited to join the World Championship Wrestling association, and entered training at the WCW's "Power Plant" facility in Atlanta, Georgia, where he soon reached stunt instructor status. In 1997 he began his appearances on WCW's weekly wrestling shows as "The Outrageous Karagias." He also began touring on the road on behalf of the Heartland Wrestling Association based out of Cincinatti, Ohio. In November of 1999 Evan Karagias won the WCW Cruiserweight Title, and in December of that same year, he recorded his first CD. With Shane Helms (aka "The Hurricane") and Shannon Moore, the first pro-wrestling "boy band" was born: "Three Count." The trio debuted with a hit single, "Can't Get You Out of My Heart" which was also released as a music video. When WCW folded in early 2001 and was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation (which changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002), Evan's contract was among the 24 immediately purchased by the WWE as well. He was then sent to the WWF's "farm territory", the Heartland Wrestling Association. He was released in December of that year without being called up to the WWF. He then appeared briefly with Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW). In March of 2002 he showed up in the American Wrestling Association and challenged then champion Eric Priest, "The Underwear Model", and won the AWA World Championship all in one night. Despite his physical prowess, he remains an actor's actor first, and decided to not sign with the WWE because he understands the value of a good script.