Ex-WWE Champion, Bray Wyatt, Dies at 36
The wrestling world mourns the loss of three-time WWE world champion Bray Wyatt, who tragically passed away at the age of 36. The wrestler, whose real name is Windham Rotunda, had been dealing with an undisclosed health issue that had kept him out of the ring since February. However, his death was sudden and unexpected, as confirmed by his family.
The heart-wrenching news was shared by WWE content officer Triple H on social media, who posted that Wyatt had “unexpectedly passed.” Fans and fellow wrestlers alike expressed their shock and grief over the untimely loss of the wrestling icon.
Among those paying tribute to the late star was Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock. Johnson took to X, formerly Twitter, to share his heartfelt condolences. He wrote that he was “heartbroken” and had “always had tremendous respect and love” for Bray Wyatt. Johnson further praised Wyatt’s unique character, his captivating presence, and his strong connection with the WWE universe.
Mick Foley, a WWE commentator, also honoured Wyatt’s legacy, describing him as a true visionary and one of the most compelling figures the world of wrestling has ever seen.
Hailing from a lineage of wrestlers, Wyatt came from a family deeply rooted in the sport. His grandfather was the famous Blackjack Mulligan, his father was Mike Rotunda, known as IRS, and his younger brother was Bo Dallas.
Born on May 23, 1987, in Brooksville, Florida, Wyatt was a state wrestling champion in high school and earned a football scholarship to Troy University. However, his passion for professional wrestling led him to leave his course and make his debut in the industry in 2009.
Throughout his wrestling career, Wyatt fought under various aliases, including Husky Harris, Alex Rotunda, Duke Rotundo, and The Fiend. One of his most iconic personas was as the villainous leader of the cult faction named The Wyatt Family, which included wrestlers such as Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman, and the late Luke Harper.
Wyatt made a highly anticipated comeback at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event in October 2022, debuting a new version of his character after being released from WWE in 2021. Despite missing several months due to illness, Wyatt was on the verge of returning to WWE before his tragic passing.
In a candid moment last year, Wyatt broke character to discuss his struggles with mental health, acknowledging the challenges he faced and the meaningful aspects of his life. He spoke about losing loved ones and his sense of purpose but also expressed his determination to find meaning in his journey.
The devastating news of Wyatt’s passing was relayed by Triple H, also known as Paul Levesque, who was informed by Wyatt’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda. Triple H shared his condolences and asked for privacy and respect for Wyatt’s family during this difficult time.
According to wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp, the cause of Wyatt’s death was a heart attack exacerbated by existing heart conditions following a brush with COVID-19. Despite the positive progress he had made towards recovery, Wyatt’s untimely passing has left the wrestling community and his fans in mourning.
Wyatt is survived by his fiancée and former WWE ring announcer Joseann Offerman, their two children, Wyatt’s two children from a previous marriage, his brother Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda), and his sister Mika. His legacy in the wrestling world and the impact he made on fans and fellow wrestlers will forever be remembered.
