View source for Gregory Helms

{{short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name        = Gregory Helms
|image       = Shane Helms BFG 2015 (cropped2).jpg
|caption     = Helms in 2015
|birth_name  = Gregory Shane Helms<ref name="OWOW" /><ref name="hurricane1">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_4/ai_86127537/pg_2?tag=artBody;col1 |title=The story of the Hurricane |access-date=July 20, 2008 |date=June 2002 |last=Varsallone |first=Jim |publisher=Wrestling Digest |page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627150500/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_4/ai_86127537/pg_2?tag=artBody%3Bcol1 |archive-date=June 27, 2013 }}</ref>
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1974|7|12}}
|birth_place = [[Smithfield, North Carolina]], U.S.
|children    = 2
|ring_names  = Gregory Hanes<ref name=slam /><br />Gregory Helms<ref name="OWOW" /><br>Gregory Shane Helms<br />'''The Hurricane'''<ref name="alum">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/thehurricane|title=The Hurricane's WWE Alumni Bio|access-date=March 18, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=March 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315101045/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/thehurricane|url-status=live}}</ref><br />Hurricane Helms<ref
name=slam/><br />'''Shane Helms'''
|height      = 6 ft 0 in<ref name="alum" />
|weight      = 215 lb<ref name="alum" />
|billed      = [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Joco, North Carolina]]<ref name="LLUSA" /><br />[[Raleigh, North Carolina]]<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/superstars/gregoryhelms/bio/ |title=Gregory Helms Bio |access-date=April 15, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209003456/http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/superstars/gregoryhelms/bio/ |archive-date=February 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref><br />Smithfield, North Carolina
|trainer     =
|debut       = July 6, 1990<ref name="hurricane" />
|retired     = 
}}
'''Gregory Shane Helms''' (born July 12, 1974) is an American [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]]. He is signed to [[WWE]] under a legends contract, and currently works for the company as a backstage [[Producer (professional wrestling)|producer]]. In WWE, Helms has wrestled as '''The Hurricane''', '''Gregory Helms''', and '''Hurricane Helms'''. He is also known for his time with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), where he wrestled as "'''Sugar'''" '''Shane Helms'''.

Helms first began wrestling in 1991 at the age of 17, and wrestled in numerous [[Independent circuit|independent]] [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotions]], including the [[OMEGA Championship Wrestling|Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts]], winning numerous [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|light heavyweight]] and [[tag team]] [[Championship (professional wrestling)|championships]]. In 1999, he signed with WCW, and gained fame as "Sugar" Shane Helms, a member of [[3 Count]]. During his time there he won both the [[WCW Hardcore Championship]] and the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WCW Cruiserweight Championship]]. When WCW was bought by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE), Helms' contract was kept by WWF. Helms renamed himself "The Hurricane" and won the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]]. He later picked up a sidekick, [[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]], and they won the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] together.

He dropped the superhero [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]] in 2005, and began wrestling under his real name. He once again won the Cruiserweight Championship in early 2006, and held it for over a year, becoming the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion and the longest reigning champion of any kind in [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]] history. After being out of action for over a year after neck fusion surgery Helms returned to SmackDown in September 2008, referring to himself as Hurricane Helms, before moving to the [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand where he reverted to his Gregory Helms name, and became a backstage interviewer. In mid-2009, he brought back The Hurricane character, and appeared as both Gregory Helms and The Hurricane on the ECW brand. After the ECW brand ended, Helms was released by WWE in February 2010, however he returned as a surprise entrant in the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|2018]] and [[Royal Rumble (2021)|2021 Royal Rumble]] matches.

== Professional wrestling career ==

=== Early career (1991–1999) ===
Helms began wrestling at the age of 17 in 1991.<ref name=slam /> He won his first championship shortly afterwards, by defeating "Playboy" T.C. Cruise to become the Southern Wrestling Alliance (SWA) Light Heavyweight Champion.<ref name=slam /> Helms spent the majority of his early career in his home state of [[North Carolina]], winning numerous [[Cruiserweight (professional wrestling)|light heavyweight]] championships.<ref name=slam />

Helms began calling himself "The Show" Shane Helms, and [[Tag team|teamed]] with [[Mike Maverick|"Big Daddy" Mike Maverick]], initially using the team name Assault and Battery.<ref name=slam /> They later dubbed themselves The Serial Thrillaz, and won several [[Independent circuit|independent]] tag championships.<ref name=slam /> The pair also began wrestling in the [[OMEGA Championship Wrestling|Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts]] (OMEGA), which was founded by [[The Hardy Boyz]] ([[Matt Hardy|Matt]] and [[Jeff Hardy|Jeff]]).<ref name=slam /> The Serial Thrillaz won the [[OMEGA Tag Team Championship]] twice between 1997 and 1998, before they began competing for [[Southern Championship Wrestling]] (SCW). They won the [[SCW Tag Team Championship]], and Helms also won the [[SCW Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=slam /> SCW would mark the end of the Serial Thrillaz, as Helms vacated both titles before moving on to NWA Worldwide.<ref name=slam /> Once there, Helms joined the Bad Street Boys with [[Shannon Moore]], [[Christian York]], and [[Adam Birch|Joey Matthews]].<ref name=slam />

=== World Championship Wrestling (1999–2001) ===
{{Main|3 Count}}
Helms and his friend [[Shannon Moore]] signed with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in May 1999.<ref name=slam /> In WCW, Helms, along with Moore and [[Evan Karagias]], formed the [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] (villainous) [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]] (faction) [[3 Count]], and the trio debuted on the December 23 episode of ''[[WCW Thunder]]''.<ref name=wcwbio>{{cite web|url=http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/3count/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817232737/http://www.wcw.com/2000/superstars/3count/|archive-date=August 17, 2000|title=3 Count|access-date=April 23, 2009|publisher=[[World Championship Wrestling]]}}</ref> The trio was a [[parody]] of the [[boy band]]s [['N Sync]] and the [[Backstreet Boys]], and their [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick|gimmick]] involved making [[music video]]s and performing songs before their matches.<ref name="hurricane">{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_4/ai_86127537?tag=artBody;col1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030104712/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_4/ai_86127537?tag=artBody;col1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-10-30|title=The story of the Hurricane|access-date=July 20, 2008|last=Varsallone|first=Jim|date=June 2002|publisher=Wrestling Digest|page=1}}</ref>

3 Count collectively won the [[WCW Hardcore Championship]] on ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]'' in February 2000.<ref name=slam /> This win made 3 Count the first trio to win the Hardcore Championship.<ref name=wcwbio /> At [[Uncensored (2000)|Uncensored]], [[Brian Knobbs]] defeated all members of 3 Count to win the Hardcore Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/mar20_uncensored.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718085330/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/mar20_uncensored.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 18, 2012|title=Uncensored elevates WCW|date=March 20, 2000|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> During a match, Helms suffered a broken nose, and was sidelined while he recovered.<ref name=slam /> Upon his return, [[Tank Abbott]] had been added to the group, as a fan, and was utilized in an [[Enforcer (professional wrestling)|enforcer]] role. 3 Count had a long-running [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] (scripted rivalry) with [[The Jung Dragons]], with the Dragons attempting to steal 3 Count's [[Kayfabe|fictional]] recording contract.<ref name=slam /> This led to a [[ladder match]] between the two teams at [[New Blood Rising]], which 3 Count won due to Abbott's interference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingNewBloodRising/aug14_powell.html|title=Canada rules at New Blood Rising|date=August 14, 2000|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722022302/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingNewBloodRising/aug14_powell.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> As a result, Abbott claimed that he should be the lead singer of 3 Count, and was kicked out by the other three members, leading to a feud.<ref name="3 Count OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/three-count.html|title=3 Count Profile|access-date=June 3, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=October 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011180837/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/t/three-count.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

3 Count later disbanded as Moore and Helms kicked Karagias out of the group for attempting to steal the spotlight.<ref name=slam /> At the same time, the Jung Dragons turned on [[Jamie Noble]], who formed a team with Karagias.<ref name=slam /> The three teams met in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triangle match]] at [[Mayhem (2000)|Mayhem]], which 3 Count won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/nov27_wcw-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714135921/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/nov27_wcw-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Steiner wins WCW World Title|date=November 27, 2000|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> They also wrestled each other in a number one contendership ladder match at [[Starrcade (2000)|Starrcade]], to earn a [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WCW Cruiserweight Championship]] match, in which both Moore and Helms grabbed the contract at the same time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec18_starrcade-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714022202/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec18_starrcade-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Starrcade ends Y2K on a positive note|date=December 18, 2000|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> As a result, they later wrestled for the opportunity to wrestle for the championship, which Helms won, although he lost the subsequent championship match to [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.]] at the [[WCW Sin|Sin]] pay-per-view.<ref name=slam /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan15_wcwsin-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714151237/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/jan15_wcwsin-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Animal the Mystery Man at Sin|date=January 15, 2001|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>

Moore and Helms would leave WCW briefly in 2001 to wrestle in NWA Wildside, where they held the Wildside Tag Team Championship for one day.<ref name=slam /> Helms became the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship after winning a match at [[SuperBrawl Revenge]], but was attacked by Karagias and Moore afterwards.<ref name=slam /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb19_superbrawl-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730195254/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb19_superbrawl-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Main event mess hurts SuperBrawl|date=February 19, 2001|last=Powell|first=John|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Despite the attack, Helms would go on to defeat Guerrero for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship at [[WCW Greed|Greed]] and was the reigning Cruiserweight Champion immediately before WCW was bought out by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF).<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/shane-helms.html|title=Shane Helms Profile|access-date=May 7, 2011|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731035805/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/shane-helms.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=slam /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/03/19/wcw-downplays-demise-at-greed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207203958/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2001/03/19/wcw-downplays-demise-at-greed/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |title=WCW Downplays Demise At Greed |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Powell |first=John |date=March 19, 2001 |access-date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> Helms' contract with WCW was one of twenty-five that were included in WWF's purchase of WCW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720005418/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |title=Deal leaves wrestlers out in cold|date=March 25, 2001|first=Don|last=Callis|access-date=January 24, 2009|work=SLAM! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>

=== World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (2001–2010)===

==== Early appearances (2001–2002) ====
Helms made his WWF debut on the July 5, 2001 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', using the name "Hollywood" Gregory Helms.<ref name=slam /> He was part of the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] storyline as a member of [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] losing his Cruiserweight Championship in a one-on-one match to another Alliance member, [[Billy Kidman]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350674 |title=History of the Cruiserweight Championship – Billy Kidman |date=July 5, 2001 |access-date=September 27, 2009 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601235942/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350674 |archive-date=June 1, 2009 }}</ref>

[[File:Helms.jpg|thumb|left|Helms at an autograph signing in June 2002]]
Helms began wrestling as "The Hurricane" on the August 27 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw is War]]'', and also began wearing a [[superhero]] costume. That night, he won the [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]] from [[Matt Hardy]] with help from [[Ivory (wrestler)|Ivory]], but lost it to [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] on the October 22 episode of ''Raw''.<ref name="euro" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010827.html|title=Raw – 27 August 2001 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019235113/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010827.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In September, The Hurricane formed a tag team with [[Lance Storm]] who was now managed by Ivory and Hurricane later picked up a sidekick, in [[Nora Greenwald|Molly Holly]] who began to call herself "Mighty Molly", and the two came to the arena in a custom "Hurri-Cycle" (with Molly in the sidecar).<ref name="hurricane" /> The team of The Hurricane and Storm began feuds with teams like The [[Hardy Boyz]] and [[Paul Wight|Big Show]] and [[Matt Hyson|Spike Dudley]]. The Hurricane and Storm got a shot at the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|WCW Tag Team Championship]] against The Hardy Boyz at [[No Mercy (2001)|No Mercy]] on October 21 in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling's historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=109}}</ref>

The Hurricane won the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] at [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17, 2002, but Molly [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|betrayed]] him, hitting him in the back of the head with a frying pan, and defeating him for the championship.<ref name=pwi110>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=110}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wrestlemania-can.html|title=Old vs. new at WrestleMania|date=March 18, 2002|last1=Powell|first1=John|last2=Molinaro|first2=John F.|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=June 30, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630174936/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wrestlemania-can.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The Hurricane was later [[2002 WWF draft lottery|drafted]] to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand following the [[WWE Brand Extension|brand extension]], and he won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship from [[Yoshihiro Tajiri|Tajiri]] and Billy Kidman in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]] on the May 16 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=Raw – 25 March 2002 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413104844/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cruiser1" /> He lost it to Jamie Noble at [[King of the Ring (2002)|King of the Ring]] on June 23. The Hurricane was traded to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand, won the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWE Tag Team Championship]] with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] as they defeated [[The Un-Americans]] ([[Christian Cage|Christian]] and Lance Storm) on the September 23 episode of ''Raw'', and held them for around a month before losing the titles to [[Chris Jericho]] and Christian on the October 14 episode of ''Raw''.<ref name="worldtag-kane" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021014.html|title=Raw – October 14, 2002 results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>

==== Teaming with Rosey (2003–2006) ====
{{Main|The Hurricane and Rosey}}
[[File:The hurricane.jpg|thumb|right|Helms as "The Hurricane" with the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]]]]
In early 2003, The Hurricane feuded with [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030303.html|title=WWE Raw Results – March 3, 2003|date=March 3, 2003|access-date=July 24, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=June 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629224123/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030303.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In backstage segments, The Rock referred to The Hurricane as "The [[McDonaldland#Characters|Hamburglar]]" (in part because his mask was similar to the Hamburglar's) and latter retorted that anyone can beat The Rock, citing Brendan Fraser, whom The Rock worked with on the movie "The Mummy Returns".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030224.html|title=WWE Raw Results – February 24, 2003|date=February 24, 2003|access-date=July 24, 2008|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=January 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102114330/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030224.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The feud culminated in a match on the March 10 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', in which The Rock dominated.<ref name="raw-Mar10-03">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030310.html|title=Raw – 10 March 2003 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-date=July 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708205224/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030310.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hurricane, however, was able to [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll up]] The Rock from behind after The Rock was distracted by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]'s appearance on the ramp.<ref name="raw-Mar10-03" />

In August, The Hurricane "discovered" [[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey's]] potential as a superhero and christened him "Rosey, the Super Hero in Training" (the "S.H.I.T."). On May 1, 2005, at [[Backlash (2005)|Backlash]], [[The Hurricane and Rosey]] defeated [[La Résistance (professional wrestling)|La Résistance]] in the finals of a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Tag team turmoil|Tag Team Turmoil match]] to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]].<ref name="PS131">{{cite news|author=Power Slam Staff|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 131|work="WrestleMania rerun" (Backlash 2005)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=May 21, 2005|pages=32–33}}</ref><ref name="worldtag-Rosey" /> Not long after winning the championship, [[Stacy Keibler]] joined Rosey and The Hurricane as their sidekick, "Super Stacy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/05/31/1064601.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713165953/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/05/31/1064601.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Raw: Hassan gets his shot|date=May 31, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In August 2005, Rosey and The Hurricane lost Keibler as their sidekick when she and [[Christy Hemme]] were traded to the SmackDown! brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/26/1189499.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731063417/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/26/1189499.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 31, 2012|title=Smackdown: Counting down the Thursdays|date=August 26, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On the September 5 episode of ''Raw'', The Hurricane and Rosey were defeated by [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch]] during Cade and Murdoch's debut match on ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/06/1203935.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904014100/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/06/1203935.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 4, 2012|title=Raw: Caught in the Master Lock|date=September 6, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> As a result, Cade and Murdoch earned a title match at [[Unforgiven (2005)|Unforgiven]] on September 18. During the title match, Murdoch delivered an [[DDT (professional wrestling)#Elevated DDT|elevated DDT]] on The Hurricane to the outside. The DDT caused The Hurricane to suffer a [[Kayfabe|storyline]] "[[Stinger (medicine)|stinger]]" and allowed Cade and Murdoch to beat The Hurricane and Rosey later in the match to win the World Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=118}}</ref>

During the next few weeks, the pair began a losing streak, mainly caused by The Hurricane's on-screen injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/20/1227358.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715235943/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/09/20/1227358.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Raw: The feuds roll on|date=September 20, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> During the October 17 episode of ''Raw'', The Hurricane was assaulted by [[Kurt Angle]] at the request of [[Vince McMahon]]. After the beating, footage was shown of The Hurricane ripping off his mask and striking Rosey because he did not help him fend off Angle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/18/1268095.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720221819/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/18/1268095.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2012|title=Raw: Honing in on Taboo Tuesday|date=October 18, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The next week, The Hurricane [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#No-show|no-showed]] a World Tag Team Championship match, leaving Rosey to face the champions Cade and Murdoch alone. During the match, The Hurricane (out of costume) appeared at the top of the entrance ramp, reverting to his real name, Gregory Helms, and watched as Rosey was double teamed and defeated. After the match, Helms announced that he was fed up with being funny for the crowd, and that he was sick of carrying Rosey as a tag team partner, turning [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] for the first time since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/25/1277702.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715003843/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/10/25/1277702.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Raw: Cena taps out?|date=October 25, 2005|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On the November 7 episode of ''Raw'', Helms and Rosey faced off in a singles match, which Helms won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/08/1297695.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718131432/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/08/1297695.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 18, 2012|title=Raw: The long-awaited return of … Daivari?|date=November 8, 2005|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Subsequently, Helms wrestled mostly on ''Raw'''s sister show, ''[[WWE Heat|Heat]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051212.html|title=Heat – 12 December 2005 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-date=March 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320115029/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051212.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the January 2, 2006 episode of ''Raw'', Helms confronted [[Jerry Lawler]] over jokes that Lawler had been making at Helms' expense, and Lawler said that when Helms was The Hurricane, he was entertaining and called Helms a joke. Helms responded by slapping Lawler, who hit Helms back.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/03/1377059.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722144655/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/03/1377059.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 22, 2012|title=Raw: Cena bleeds, Benji's momma arrives|date=January 3, 2006|last=Plummer|first=Dale|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> This confrontation led to Lawler defeating Helms in a match at [[New Year's Revolution (2006)|New Year's Revolution]] on January 8.<ref name=pwi119>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=119}}</ref>

==== Cruiserweight Champion (2006–2007) ====
At the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]] on January 29, Helms participated in an Open Invitational match for the Cruiserweight Championship and won, even though he was a ''Raw'' superstar and the championship was defended solely on ''SmackDown!''.<ref name=pwi119 /><ref name="cruiser2" /> As a result, he moved to the SmackDown! brand to start a feud with [[James Maritato|Nunzio]], [[Kid Kash]] and the other cruiserweights. During this time, Helms defeated Nunzio in a one-on-one match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/10/1435575.html|title=Smackdown: Henry escapes The Dead Man|date=February 10, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722191159/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/10/1435575.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The next week, he was supposed to defend against Kid Kash, but Kash was away on a family emergency, so [[Scotty 2 Hotty]] took his place. Helms defeated him and declared that he was better than all the other cruiserweights. As a result, all the cruiserweights at the show invaded the ring and attacked Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/17/1448428.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716203636/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/17/1448428.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: Dead Man shocks Angle|date=February 27, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> It was later announced by SmackDown! [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|General Manager]] [[Theodore Long]] that at [[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out]] on February 19, Helms would face all the cruiserweights in a match for the title. Helms was able to retain the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/20/1452718.html|title=Main events salvage No Way Out|date=February 20, 2006|last=Sokol|first=Chris|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716035054/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/20/1452718.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Later, Long mandated that Helms had to defend his title against a cruiserweight each week on ''SmackDown!'' to prove that he truly was better than all the cruiserweights. Helms' first defense under this new rule was against [[Psicosis]] of [[The Mexicools]]; Helms retained by cheating.<ref name=pwi119 />

[[File:HelmsCruiserChampion.jpg|thumb|left|alt=|Helms has the longest reign in [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]] history, holding the championship for 13 consecutive months in 2006 and 2007.]]
In early March, Helms suffered a broken nose. After complaining to Long about having to wrestle on the March 10 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Long told Helms that he did not have to defend his title, but put Helms in a champion versus champion match against the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Champion]], [[Chris Benoit]]. During the match, Helms attempted to leave, but was blocked by other cruiserweights who threw Helms back into the ring, resulting in Helms losing the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/03/10/1481542.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715193106/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/03/10/1481542.html |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |title=Smackdown: The bell tolls for Henry|date=March 10, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=SLAM! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Helms underwent successful surgery on his nose and was expected to miss five to six weeks. During this time ''SmackDown!'' announcers stated that Helms had a no-compete clause in his contract allowing him to waive the thirty-day title defense rule due to any injury. Helms returned to the ring on the April 28 episode of ''SmackDown!'', teaming with [[MNM (professional wrestling)|MNM]] to face [[Super Crazy]], [[Paul London and Brian Kendrick|London and Kendrick]] in a six-man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/28/1555122.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143619/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/28/1555122.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Smackdown: Angle-Mysterio do it again|date=April 28, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Helms continued to defend his belt during pay-per-views,<ref>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=121}}</ref> but he made more regular appearances on ''SmackDown!'''s sister show, ''[[WWE Velocity|Velocity]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060519.html|title=Velocity – 19 May 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-date=October 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005518/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060519.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Helms continued defending his title against other cruiserweights, while on occasion facing off against SmackDown!'s other title holders in champion versus champion matches. Helms faced [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Rey Mysterio]] on June 16 and United States Champion [[Bobby Lashley]] on July 7 but lost both matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/16/1636328.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719053712/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/16/1636328.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=Smackdown: King Booker gets crowned|date=June 16, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/07/07/1672951.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716103945/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/07/07/1672951.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: The Animal returns|date=July 7, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Eventually, Helms became the longest cruiserweight champion in WWE history, as well as the longest reigning champion of any kind in ''SmackDown!'' history.<ref name="wwebio" /> For much of late 2006, he feuded with Matt Hardy, with whom Helms exchanged several victories in matches on ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/02/1795814.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714024152/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/02/1795814.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Smackdown: Mr. Kennedy captures gold|date=September 2, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/16/1848935.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716200248/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/16/1848935.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 16, 2012|title=Smackdown: The King's court divided?|date=September 16, 2006|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/23/1884584.html|title=Smackdown: SuperShow Part Deux|date=September 23, 2006|last=Kamchen|first=Richard|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715095343/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/23/1884584.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> In Helms' hometown of [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], at [[No Mercy (2006)|No Mercy]] on October 8, Hardy beat Helms.<ref name=pwi122>{{cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=122}}</ref> The two rivals also joined opposing teams at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]] on November 26, where Helms was in [[Rated-RKO|Team Rated-RKO]], and Hardy was a member of [[D-Generation X|Team DX]]; Team Rated-RKO lost the match.<ref name=pwi122 />

Helms went on to feud with [[James Yun|Jimmy Wang Yang]] over the Cruiserweight Championship, after a tag team match in which Matt Hardy and Yang defeated Helms and [[Sylvain Grenier|Sylvan]] on the November 10 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/11/2314778.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720034635/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/11/11/2314778.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2012|title=Smackdown: Survivor Series takes shape|date=November 11, 2006|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The feud ended after Helms defeated him to retain the title at [[Armageddon (2006)|Armageddon]] on December 17.<ref name=pwi122 /> In 2007, Helms once again feuded with the entire Cruiserweight division on ''SmackDown!''. During this feud, Helms' reign as Cruiserweight Champion came to an end at [[No Way Out (2007)|No Way Out]] on February 18, when he was unable to win a Cruiserweight open invitational, which saw [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] win the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/02/19/3645387.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717093630/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/02/19/3645387.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=No Way Out an exercise in monotony|date=February 19, 2007|last1=Plummer|first1=Dale|last2=Tylwalk|first2=Nick|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Shortly after losing the championship, Helms formed a tag team with Guerrero, but they did not win any matches as a team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/07/3944064.html|title=Booker's kingdom continues to crumble|date=April 7, 2007|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715134411/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/07/3944064.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/21/4091669.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721022157/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/21/4091669.html |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=Smackdown: Kennedy and Finlay run wild|date=April 21, 2007|last=McNamara|first=Andy|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=SLAM! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>

On May 18, WWE reported that Helms had broken two [[vertebra]]e in his neck, one of which was pressing on his spinal cord.<ref name=neck>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/helmsnecksurgery|title=Neck surgery for Gregory Helms|last=Dee|first=Louie|access-date=May 19, 2007|date=May 18, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=May 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520054310/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/helmsnecksurgery|url-status=live}}</ref> He underwent surgery with Dr. [[Lloyd Youngblood]] to repair them approximately a week later. Following the surgery, Helms was announced to be out for a year and a half due to the injury.<ref name=neck /><ref name=matt>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/matthardy/willnotdieariesarchive/willlnotdiearies052907|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531083129/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/matthardy/willnotdieariesarchive/willlnotdiearies052907|archive-date=May 31, 2007|title=Will Not Die-aries: Thoughts on rival Gregory Helms|date=May 29, 2007|last=Hardy|first=Matt|access-date=May 29, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref>

==== The Hurricane's return (2008–2010) ====
Helms returned on the September 19, 2008, episode of ''SmackDown'' in a non-wrestling role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09162008/mainarticle|title=And at the Helm|date=September 19, 2008|last=Burdick|first=Michael|access-date=September 27, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=November 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126104528/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09162008/mainarticle|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the show, he appeared in short video promos, called "Hurrapops", referring to himself as "Hurricane Helms", a modified version of his old ring name "The Hurricane", and mocked heel superstars including [[Shelton Benjamin]] and [[Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/09/19/6821331.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717195916/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/09/19/6821331.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Smackdown: Big builds on Friday night|date=September 19, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=April 1, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/10/25/7198996.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715125931/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/10/25/7198996.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Smackdown: Last chizance to get some vizotes for CS|date=October 25, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=April 1, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In the following weeks, he mocked several other superstars in the "Hurrapops", ending each promo with the phrase, "I'm just sayin'!". On the November 28 episode of ''SmackDown'', a "Hurrapop" appeared in which Helms announced that he would make his return to the ring on the next episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/11/29/7573791.html|title=Smackdown: It's time once again to beat the clock!|date=November 29, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=April 1, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718025553/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/11/29/7573791.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> On the December 5 episode of ''SmackDown'', Helms defeated [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (MVP) in his ring return.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12052008/mainarticle|title=Undeniable altercations|date=December 5, 2008|last=Burdick|first=Michael|access-date=December 15, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053156/http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12052008/mainarticle|url-status=live}}</ref> Helms was quickly scripted into a feud with the United States Champion [[Shelton Benjamin]], defeating him in two non-title matches on ''SmackDown'', although he failed to win a championship match on December 26.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/13/7740436.html|title=Smackdown: Armageddon on the horizon|date=December 13, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=April 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714071936/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/13/7740436.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/19/7810461.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724174112/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/19/7810461.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=Smackdown: Hardy tested on first night as champ|date=December 19, 2008|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=April 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/27/7860756.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715082422/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/27/7860756.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Smackdown: On the road to the Rumble|date=December 17, 2008|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=April 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>

On April 15, 2009, Helms was drafted to the ECW brand as part of the [[2009 WWE draft#Supplemental Draft|2009 Supplemental Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/2009supplementaldraftresults/|title=2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results|date=April 15, 2009|access-date=April 15, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=December 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225191133/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/2009supplementaldraftresults/|url-status=live}}</ref> Helms made his ECW debut as a backstage interviewer on April 28, 2009, reverting to his Gregory Helms ring name, interviewing [[Evan Bourne]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/04/28/9283591.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731201451/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/04/28/9283591.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 31, 2012|title=ECW: Christian's first night as champion|date=April 28, 2009|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=April 29, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> He started a storyline where, while he was interviewing someone, a scripted accident would occur, leading to Helms leaving the interview seconds before the person in distress was saved by The Hurricane.<ref name="2009-superhero">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/06/24/9906546.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115072224/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/06/24/9906546.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=ECW: Scrambling to The Bash|date=June 24, 2009|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=July 15, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> On the August 11, 2009 episode of ''[[ECW (WWE)|ECW]]'', Helms was attacked by [[Paul Burchill]] after Helms denied being The Hurricane. The Hurricane later attacked Burchill in the ring dressed in his Hurricane attire, to save [[Yoshi Tatsu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/12/10437911.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714003741/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/12/10437911.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=ECW: Regal stretches Dreamer, sets eyes on Christian|date=August 12, 2009|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=August 19, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The next week on ECW, he made his in-ring debut for the brand as The Hurricane, and defeated Burchill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/18/10506166.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730125556/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/08/18/10506166.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=ECW: Christian, Regal on collision course|date=August 19, 2009|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=August 19, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> He continued to feud with Burchill, who attempted to expose The Hurricane's true identity, until the November 17 episode of ''ECW'' when The Hurricane defeated Burchill in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Luchas de apuestas|mask versus career match]]. He would then feud with [[Zack Ryder]]. 

On February 26, 2010, Helms was released from his WWE contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/helmsreleased|title=Shane Helms released|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=February 26, 2010|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=March 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301055112/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/helmsreleased|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Independent circuit (2010–2015) ===
[[File:The Hurricane Shane Helms.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Helms posing on the turnbuckle as The Hurricane in January 2012]]
Following his WWE release, Helms began wrestling on the [[independent circuit]], including for the Canadian Wrestling's Elite as Hurricane Helms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecwe.ca/8_1_Hurricane%20Helms%20Aug%2012th%20Opponent%20Announced.html |title=8/1- Hurricane Helms Aug 12th Opponent Announced. |date=August 1, 2010 |access-date=August 17, 2010 |publisher=Canadian Wrestling Elite |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706204500/http://www.thecwe.ca/8_1_Hurricane%20Helms%20Aug%2012th%20Opponent%20Announced.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011 }}</ref> On October 23, 2010, Helms made his debut for [[Jersey All Pro Wrestling]], where he, under his Hurricane gimmick, defeated Azrieal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1287961524 |title=Indy News #2: JAPW with Lawler, WSU news/notes |date=October 24, 2010 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=October 25, 2010 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101095511/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1287961524 |archive-date=November 1, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On January 10, 2011, Helms signed a contract with [[Lucha Libre USA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294881288 |title=Shane Helms agrees to deal with Lucha Libre USA |date=January 12, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=January 13, 2011 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116154238/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294881288 |archive-date=January 16, 2011 }}</ref> In the promotion, Helms allied himself with [[Marco Corleone]], and in his debut for the promotion at the January 22 tapings, he defeated Corleone's rival and [[Lucha Libre USA#Lucha Libre USA Championship|Lucha Libre USA Champion]] [[Lizmark Jr.]] via disqualification.<ref name="LLUSA">{{cite web|url=http://luchalibreusa.com/luchastar/shane-helms/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204550/http://luchalibreusa.com/luchastar/shane-helms/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2014|title=Shane Helms|access-date=April 22, 2012|publisher=[[Lucha Libre USA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47011.shtml|title=1/22 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: SPOILER results for more Season 2 episodes of MTV2 wrestling show – notable former WWE wrestlers debut, first tag champions crowned|last=Roberts|first=Alex|date=January 22, 2011|access-date=January 30, 2011|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=January 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127182144/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47011.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 29, 2011, Helms made his debut for [[Pro Wrestling Guerrilla]] (PWG), during the [[WrestleReunion#WrestleReunion 5|WrestleReunion 5]] weekend, in a match, where he was defeated by [[Joey Ryan (wrestler)|Joey Ryan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47214.shtml|title=1/29 PWG results in Los Angeles: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of PWG Title match, Kaval vs. Davey, Roberts retirement, Legends Battle Royal|last=Massingham|first=Matt|date=January 30, 2011|access-date=January 30, 2011|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=February 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202151723/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_47214.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He also took part in 20-Man Legends Battle Royale, making his second appearance of the night. He eliminated Cruel Connection, but later was thrown out by [[Shane Douglas]] and [[Terry Funk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/181129/Break-It-Down:--PWG-Kurt-Russellreunion-2:-The-Reunioning.htm|title=Break It Down: PWG Kurt Russellreunion 2: The Reunioning|last=Rozansky|first=Ryan|date=April 6, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2011|work=411mania.com|archive-date=April 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412020545/http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/181129/Break-It-Down:--PWG-Kurt-Russellreunion-2:-The-Reunioning.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2011, Helms wrestled at [[CWF Mid-Atlantic|Carolina Wrestling Federation]] (Mid-Atlantic) where he defeated [[Ric Converse]] and won the vacant PWI International Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=PWI-win /> In 2013, Helms returned to the revived OMEGA, now called OMEGA Championship Wrestling, and on October 12, he defeated [[Shane Williams]] to advance in a tournament for the OMEGA Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/103-indies/33511-omega-pro-wrestling-results-10-12-chapel-hill-whardys-helms|title=Omega Pro Wrestling results 10-12 Chapel Hill w/Hardys, Helms|last=GST|first=Chris|access-date=October 16, 2013|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter/Figure Four Online|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016003913/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/103-indies/33511-omega-pro-wrestling-results-10-12-chapel-hill-whardys-helms|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 16, 2013, Helms was defeated by [[Chris Hero]] at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/45033-11-16-pws-results-rahway-new-jersey-chris-hero|title=11/16 PWS Results: Rahway, New Jersey (Chris Hero)|last=Namako|first=Jason|date=November 17, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|publisher=WrestleView|archive-date=November 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121045914/http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/45033-11-16-pws-results-rahway-new-jersey-chris-hero|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Total Nonstop Action Wrestling / Impact Wrestling (2015–2017)===
{{See also|The Helms Dynasty}}
In March 2015, Helms received a tryout for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, now [[Impact Wrestling]]) as an [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Agent|agent]] and began working for the company within that capacity that same month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/tna-news/53671-new-details-on-shane-helms-visiting-tna-tv-tapings-recently |title=New details on Shane Helms visiting TNA TV tapings recently |date=March 23, 2015 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=March 23, 2015 |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=March 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325072847/http://www.wrestleview.com/tna-news/53671-new-details-on-shane-helms-visiting-tna-tv-tapings-recently |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Bound for Glory (2015)|Bound for Glory]], Helms made his on-screen debut under his full birth name to congratulate the [[TNA X Division Championship|TNA X Division Champion]] [[Tigre Uno]].

On the February 2, 2016 episode of ''[[Impact Wrestling (TV series)|Impact Wrestling]]'', Helms assisted [[Trevor Lee (wrestler)|Trevor Lee]] in defeating Tigre Uno for the X Division Championship, turning [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] in the process. Helms would then soon bring in [[Andrew Everett]] to officially form '''[[The Helms Dynasty]]'''. On the December 15 episode of ''[[Impact Wrestling (TV series)|Impact Wrestling]]'' dubbed "[[Total Nonstop Deletion]]", Helms was thrown into the "Lake of Reincarnation", and emerged as his [[3 Count]] alter ego "Sugar" Shane Helms, and after insulting Lee and Everett's dance moves, was once again knocked into the lake by his teammates, Helms would later emerge from the lake as the Hurricane, where he would go on to assist [[Matt Hardy]] in defeating Lee and Everett.

On June 19, 2017 Helms announced his departure from Impact Wrestling.

=== Ring of Honor (2018–2019) ===
In June 2018, it was announced that Helms signed with [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/shane-‘hurricane’-helms-make-roh-debut-tx-va|title=SHANE 'HURRICANE' HELMS TO MAKE ROH DEBUT IN TX & VA|access-date=November 5, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019220517/https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/shane-%E2%80%98hurricane%E2%80%99-helms-make-roh-debut-tx-va|url-status=live}}</ref> He worked as wrestler and producer, including a feud against [[Marty Scurll]].

=== Return to WWE (2018–present)===
On January 28, 2018, at the [[Royal Rumble (2018)|Royal Rumble]], Helms, as The Hurricane, entered the [[Royal Rumble match|titular match]] as a surprise entrant at number 21 but was quickly eliminated by [[John Cena]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756458-hurricane-makes-wwe-return-gets-eliminated-instantly-at-royal-rumble-2018|title = Hurricane Makes WWE Return, Gets Eliminated Instantly at Royal Rumble 2018|website = [[Bleacher Report]]|access-date = January 30, 2018|archive-date = January 30, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013412/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2756458-hurricane-makes-wwe-return-gets-eliminated-instantly-at-royal-rumble-2018|url-status = live}}</ref> One year later on January 28, 2019, it was announced that he would return to WWE in a backstage producer role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/123732/wwe-response-to-ambrose-exit-halftime-heat-update-shane-helms-velveteen-dream-nxt-uk-and-more.html|title=WWE RESPONSE TO AMBROSE EXIT, HALFTIME HEAT UPDATE, SHANE HELMS, VELVETEEN DREAM, NXT UK AND MORE - PWInsider.com|website=PWInsider|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202095429/https://pwinsider.com/article/123732/wwe-response-to-ambrose-exit-halftime-heat-update-shane-helms-velveteen-dream-nxt-uk-and-more.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 19, 2019, The Hurricane attempted to win the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] from [[R-Truth]] whilst he was being interviewed by [[IGN]], though he was unable to do so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/r-truth-hurricane-drake-maverick-ign-sdcc|title=R-Truth defends 24/7 Championship at SDCC|access-date=July 20, 2019|archive-date=July 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720053502/https://www.wwe.com/article/r-truth-hurricane-drake-maverick-ign-sdcc|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 22, 2019, The Hurricane made an appearance for the special ''[[List of WWE Raw special episodes|Raw Reunion]]'' episode of ''Monday Night Raw''. On April 15, 2020, Helms was furloughed by WWE, but returned to the promotion on November 22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/shane-helms-returns-to-producer-role-in-wwe/|title=411Mania|access-date=November 26, 2020|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125185208/https://411mania.com/wrestling/shane-helms-returns-to-producer-role-in-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hurricane once again appeared at the [[Royal Rumble (2021)|2021 Royal Rumble]] event on January 31 in the namesake match. He entered at number 23 and was quickly eliminated by [[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]] and [[Bobby Lashley]].

Helms announced on March 24, 2022, that he had signed a Legends deal with WWE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/03/shane-helms-signs-new-wwe-legends-contract/|title = Shane Helms Signs New WWE Legends Contract| date=March 24, 2022 }}</ref>

=== All Elite Wrestling (2020) ===
Helms made an appearance in [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) on November 7, 2020, during the Elite Deletion match under both The Hurricane and reporter Gregory Helms personas, in a supporting effort for Matt Hardy against [[Sammy Guevara]].

== Other media ==
The Wrestling Figure Checklist records that Helms has had 20 different action figures released in the 2000s and 2010s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=George|first=Harvey|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrestling-Figure-Checklist-Definitive-Professional-ebook/dp/B08HVLCNKV|title=Wrestling Figure Checklist: The Definitive Guide to the Action Figures of Professional Wrestling|language=en|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115011055/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrestling-Figure-Checklist-Definitive-Professional-ebook/dp/B08HVLCNKV|url-status=live}}</ref>

As The Hurricane, Gregory Helms has been featured in several [[WWE]] [[Video game|video games]], including [[WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth]] (2002), [[WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain]] (2003), [[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006]] (2005), and [[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008]] (2007) for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania X8]] (2002) for the [[GameCube|Nintendo GameCube]], and [[WWE Raw 2]] (2003) the video game for the [[Xbox]]. Additionally, he is featured in ''[[WWE 2K22]]'' as a DLC character ('''Stand Back Pack''') alongside [[A-Kid]], [[Wes Lee]], and [[Stacy Keibler]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hurricane |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k22/hurricane-helms |website=Thesmackdownhotel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=WWE 2K22 Video Shows Wes Lee DLC |url=https://gamerant.com/wwe-2k22-wes-lee-dlc-footage-reveal/ |newspaper=Game Rant|date=June 4, 2022 }}</ref>

In March 2011, Shane Helms was featured on the “Lizard Lick Towing” show on TruTV. Alongside his friend Ron Shirley, show protagonist, Helms appears on the episode "Hometown Tour."

== Personal life ==
Helms was born in [[Smithfield, North Carolina]], but he was raised in [[Wooster, Ohio]]. Helms is a [[comic book]] fan, and one of his favorite characters is the [[Green Lantern]]. He has a tattoo on his right shoulder which is the Lantern's logo and his original WWE character, The Hurricane, is inspired by the Green Lantern. It was picked and inked the same days as his cousin, fellow pro wrestling trainee, and comic book fan Mike Helm had the symbol of his favorite character, Green Lantern, tattooed on his own bicep.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingEditorial/aug30_tylwalk-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715200523/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingEditorial/aug30_tylwalk-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=SLAM! Wrestling Editorial: The Green Lantern symbolizes willpower|date=August 30, 2001|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In 2008, he got a tattoo of his last name on his upper back. Helms owns a motorcycle called "The Hurri-Cycle", which he got when he was using The Hurricane gimmick. Helms is good friends with [[Jeff Hardy]], [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Shannon Moore]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire|last=Hardy|first=Jeff|author2=Hardy, Matt|author3=Krugman, Michael |publisher=[[WWE Books]]|year=2003|page=18|isbn=978-0-7368-2142-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire|last=Hardy|first=Jeff|author2=Hardy, Matt|author3=Krugman, Michael|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|year=2003|page=16|isbn=978-0-7368-2142-1}}</ref> He appears on ''The Hardy Show'', The Hardys' internet show. He also performed as the [[stunt double]] of actor [[David Arquette]] in the movie ''[[Ready to Rumble]]''.<ref name=slam />

On March 19, 2007, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' posted on its website an article in its continuing series investigating a steroid and [[Growth hormone treatment|HGH]] ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Helms who was alleged to have obtained HGH.<ref name=HGH-SI>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/19/wrestlers/index.html|title=Wrestlers allegedly tied to drug ring|access-date=March 22, 2007|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=March 19, 2007|archive-date=July 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725025224/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/19/wrestlers/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> WWE has since made a statement on this situation, mentioning that the allegations preceded the Talent Wellness program WWE launched in April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/si |title=A Statement From World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=March 22, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328171424/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/si |archive-date=March 28, 2007 }}</ref> On August 30, 2007, an article by ''Sports Illustrated'' named Helms and nine other wrestlers to be given growth hormone not in compliance with the WWE Talent Wellness program. He was said to have received [[testosterone (medication)|testosterone]], HGH and [[nandrolone]] between November 2003 and February 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=August 30, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2007|archive-date=February 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227035900/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html?hpid=moreheadlines|title=Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring|date=September 1, 2007|last=Farhi|first=Paul|access-date=May 7, 2008|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102233254/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html?hpid=moreheadlines|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2012, Helms' girlfriend gave birth to his first child, a boy named Sebastian.<ref name="Jan" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/26010-sat-update-wwe-injuries-wwe-purchases-historical-collection-more-on-christian-in-tna-dana-white-talks-lesnar-again-fx-confusion-dreamer-on-life-in-the-indies-strikeforce-releases-former-top-contender-bret-hart-new-wrestling-company-gets-memphis|title=Sat. Update: WWE injuries, WWE purchases historical collection; More on Christian in TNA, Dana White talks Lesnar again, FX confusion, Dreamer on life in the indies; Strikeforce releases former top contender, Bret Hart, new wrestling company gets Memphis|date=June 9, 2012|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|access-date=January 8, 2013|publisher=Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online|archive-date=April 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418192057/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/26010-sat-update-wwe-injuries-wwe-purchases-historical-collection-more-on-christian-in-tna-dana-white-talks-lesnar-again-fx-confusion-dreamer-on-life-in-the-indies-strikeforce-releases-former-top-contender-bret-hart-new-wrestling-company-gets-memphis|url-status=live}}</ref>

Helms is a weekly guest on the podcast "Keepin it 100" on the Jericho network. In 2016 and 2017, he appeared on a weekly podcast for Fightful.com.

===Legal troubles===
On May 6, 2008, Helms was assaulted in a club in [[Johnston County, North Carolina]], by an acquaintance, Dustin Narron.<ref name="assault">{{cite web|url=http://www.greensborosports.com/2008/05/07/hurricane-feeling-the-pain/|title=Hurricane feeling the Pain|date=May 7, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2008|publisher=Greensboro Sports|archive-date=October 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029084504/http://www.greensborosports.com/2008/05/07/hurricane-feeling-the-pain/|url-status=live}}</ref> An argument between the two of them led to Narron hitting Helms in the face.<ref name="assault2">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1065031.html|title=Pro wrestler takes his licks in bar fight|date=May 8, 2008|last=McDonald|first=Thomasi|access-date=May 8, 2008|publisher=NewsObserver.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804142253/http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1065031.html|archive-date=August 4, 2008}}</ref> Narron was later charged with assault and battery.<ref name="assault2" /> 

On January 27, 2010, Helms and fellow WWE wrestler [[Chris Jericho]] were arrested in [[Fort Mitchell, Kentucky]], after leaving a bar. A police report stated that Helms had punched Jericho and the other passengers in the cab they were sharing. Helms and Jericho were given tickets for [[public intoxication]] and released after each posted a $120 [[Bail|bail bond]].<ref name=2010arrest>{{cite web|url=http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100128/NEWS0107/301280029/Cops++SmackDown+wrestlers+drunk+in+public |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202154023/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100128/NEWS0107/301280029/Cops%2B%2BSmackDown%2Bwrestlers%2Bdrunk%2Bin%2Bpublic |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2010 |date=January 28, 2010 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |last1=Hannah |first1=Jim |last2=Baker |first2=Jennifer |title=WWE professional wrestlers Gregory "Hurricane" Helms and Christopher "Jericho" Irvine charged with drunkenness |publisher=Cincinnati.com |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On March 13, 2011, Helms was cited for [[affray]] following an altercation at a bar in Smithfield, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1300132705 |title=Shane Helms charged in "bar brawl" on Sunday |date=March 14, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=May 8, 2011 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930182744/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1300132705 |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}</ref>

On May 5, 2011, Helms and his girlfriend were involved in a motorbike accident in North Carolina, for which Helms was charged with [[driving under the influence]].<ref name="Jan" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_49863.shtml|title=Other News: Hurricane Helms involved in serious motorcycle accident Thursday, update on his condition|date=May 6, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=Shane|access-date=May 7, 2011|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|archive-date=May 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509071144/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_49863.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Helms suffered a broken leg, ankle, jaw and nose during the accident, as well as sustaining other fractures, while his girlfriend sustained a broken neck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304703692 |title=Shane Helms injured in motorcycle accident |date=May 6, 2011 |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |access-date=May 7, 2011 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509030008/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304703692 |archive-date=May 9, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304804533 |title=Update on Shane Helms, girlfriend in accident |date=May 7, 2011 |last=Martin |first=Adam |access-date=May 8, 2011 |publisher=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522040914/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1304804533 |archive-date=May 22, 2011 }}</ref> As a result of the accident, Helms received over 200 stitches, and his leg and ankle had to be reconstructed with four plates and twenty-two screws.<ref name="Jan">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2013/01/10/20486786.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219183221/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2013/01/10/20486786.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 19, 2013|title=The Hurricane left success in his wake|date=January 10, 2013|last=Murphy|first=Jan|access-date=January 11, 2013|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:The Hurricane - World Tag Team Champion.jpg|thumb|right|The Hurricane is a former [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|List of World Tag Team Champions]] [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Champion]]]]
* '''Carolina Championship Wrestling Alliance'''
** CCWA Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name="OWOW" />
*'''[[CWF Mid-Atlantic|Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic]]'''
**[[CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Championship]] (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=349 |title=CWF Mid-Atlantic Television Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database |access-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104204/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=349 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*'''Coastal Championship Wrestling'''
**CCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Super Hero In Training<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=975 |title=CCW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database |access-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429035752/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=975 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Empire State Wrestling'''
** ESW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Johnny Adams<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/50430-indy-show-results-from-8-22-14-to-8-24-14|title=Indy show results from 8/22/14 to 8/24/14|last=Namako|first=Jason|date=August 27, 2014|access-date=August 28, 2014|work=Wrestleview|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092140/http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/50430-indy-show-results-from-8-22-14-to-8-24-14|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''New Dimension Wrestling'''
** NDW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Mike Maverick]]<ref name=ndwt>{{cite web|title=Title History |publisher=New Dimension Wrestling |url=http://users.domaindlx.com/ndwwrestling/history.htm |access-date=June 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143437/http://users.domaindlx.com/ndwwrestling/history.htm |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* '''North American Pro Wrestling'''
** NAPW Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW" />
* '''[[NWA Wildside]]'''
** [[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship|NWA Wildside Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Shannon Moore]]<ref name=wildtag>{{cite web|title=NWA Georgia Title Histories |url=http://nwa-wildside.com/gtitles.htm |publisher=NWA Wildside |access-date=June 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525101026/http://nwa-wildside.com/gtitles.htm |archive-date=May 25, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* '''[[OMEGA Championship Wrestling|Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts]]'''
** [[OMEGA Tag Team Championship]] ([[OMEGA Tag Team Championship#Title history|2 times]]) – with Mike Maverick<ref name=slam />
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** PWI ranked him '''21''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated|PWI 500]] in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50003.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 – 2003 |access-date=May 5, 2008 |work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616062657/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50003.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref>
* '''Pro Wrestling International'''
** PWI International Heavyweight Championship (2 time)<ref name=PWI-win>{{cite web|url=http://www.indyinsiders.com/cwf040111.html|title=Supernatural Shane Helms Wins PWI International Heavyweight Championship as Dragon Gate USA Invades NC!|access-date=May 25, 2011|publisher=Insiders Special|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221412/http://www.indyinsiders.com/cwf040111.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2805 |title=PWI International Heavyweight Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database |access-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128192101/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2805 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''[[Southern Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[SCW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[SCW Heavyweight Championship#title history|1 time]])<ref name="OWOW" />
** [[SCW Tag Team Championship]] ([[SCW Tag Team Championship#title history|1 time]]) – with Mike Maverick<ref name="OWOW" />
* '''Southern Wrestling Alliance'''
** SWA Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=slam />
* '''Texas Championship Wrestling'''
** TCW Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Lenny Lane]]<ref name=slam>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hurricane.html|title=The Hurricane|access-date=June 8, 2008|last=Milner|first=John M.|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629212821/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hurricane.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
* '''[[World Championship Wrestling]]'''
** [[WCW Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WCW Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref name=slam />  {{Ref label|1|a|1}}
** [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WCW Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions (1991–2007)|1 time]])<ref name=cruiselist>{{cite web|title=History of the Cruiserweight Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/|access-date=June 7, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=February 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219195259/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Wrestling For A Cause'''
** WFC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kryptonite
* '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment]]'''
** [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE Cruiserweight Champions (1991–2007)|2 times]])<ref name="cruiser1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350514 |title=History of the Cruiserweight Championship – The Hurricane |access-date=June 7, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329093643/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350514 |archive-date=March 29, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="cruiser2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/18137421 |title=History of the Cruiserweight Championship – Gregory Helms |access-date=June 7, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706201338/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/18137421 |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }}</ref>
** [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]] ([[List of WWE European Champions|1 time]])<ref name="euro">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358788 |title=History of the European Championship – The Hurricane |access-date=June 7, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705175744/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/358788 |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref>
** [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref name="hardcore">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=History of the Hardcore Championship|access-date=June 8, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=February 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224210628/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|2 times]]) – with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] (1) and [[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] (1)<ref name="worldtag-kane">{{cite web|title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Kane & The Hurricane |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112112 |access-date=June 8, 2008 |publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327020850/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112112 |archive-date=March 27, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="worldtag-Rosey">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321412 |title=History of the World Tag Team Championship – Hurricane and Rosey |access-date=June 8, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516034652/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321412 |archive-date=May 16, 2007 }}</ref>
* '''World Wrestling Organization'''
** WWO Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW" />
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (2001)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genickbruch.com/index.php?befehl=observer&award=34|title=Observer: Best Gimmick Of The Year|access-date=September 27, 2009|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|publisher=Genickbruch.com|language=de|archive-date=August 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803232717/http://www.genickbruch.com/index.php?befehl=observer&award=34|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Lucha de Apuesta record ===
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}

{|class="wikitable" width=100%
|-
!width=20%|Winner (wager)
!width=20%|Loser (wager)
!width=20%|Location
!width=20%|Event
!width=15%|Date
!width=5%|Notes
|-
|The Hurricane (mask)
|[[Paul Burchill]] (career)
|[[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]
|''[[ECW (WWE)|ECW on SyFy]]''
|{{dts|2009|11|17}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling101.com/101/newsitem/7923/|title=ECW on Syfy November 17, 2009 Detailed Results|publisher=Wrestling101|access-date=November 17, 2009|archive-date=November 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119072049/http://www.wrestling101.com/101/newsitem/7923/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Footnotes ==
{{note label|1|a|1}}Helms was part of the group called [[3 Count]], which won the title jointly, and the WCW Hardcore Championship was defended under the [[The Fabulous Freebirds#Freebird Rule|Freebird Rule]].<ref name=slam />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|wikt=no|commonscat=yes|b=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|d=Q352884}}
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