Popular WWE wrestler Windham Rotunda, better-known as Bray Wyatt, has died at 36 years old, leaving wrestling fans shocked and saddened for the second day in a row.
WWE executive Paul Michael Levesque, also known as Triple H, revealed the news of Bray Wyatt's unexpected death on X.
"Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda — also known as Bray Wyatt — unexpectedly passed earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time," he wrote.
Just received a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda who informed us of the tragic news that our WWE family member for life Windham Rotunda - also known as Bray Wyatt - unexpectedly passed earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their…
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 24, 2023
According to wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp, Rotunda died of a heart attack after getting COVID, which apparently exacerbated his heart issues.
I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issues.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 25, 2023
There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery. Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away.
The news follows word of wrestler Terry Funk's death just yesterday, prompting "First Terry Funk" to begin trending on social media.
Wrestling fans immediately took to social media to mourn Rotunda, with one account calling him "one of the greatest minds in wrestling."
"I was so happy when he won the WWE Championship. Felt like he got what he rightfully deserved. We will miss you Bray Wyatt," they wrote.
One of the greatest minds in wrestling.
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) August 24, 2023
I was so happy when he won the WWE Championship. Felt like he got what he rightfully deserved.
We will miss you Bray Wyatt 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/1UUimj11ZM
Rotunda had been absent from wrestling for several months owing to what had been described as a "life-threatening illness." He had reportedly been close to returning and that had his health had improved "significantly" as recently as this month.
Rotunda began wrestling around 2009, eventually making his way into the WWE. He played the villainous leader of the Wyatt family, his signature phrase being "follow the buzzards." Later he introduced a supernatural alter-ego known as "The Fiend."
One of the most creative people ever, whether it was Eater of worlds, firefly funhouse or the fiend, Bray Wyatt knew how to get peoples attention.
— 👑𝔸𝕕𝕒𝕞 𝔾𝕠𝕝𝕕𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕘👑 (@AdamGoldberg28) August 24, 2023
I’m utterly speechless. pic.twitter.com/U3aAnxqyu9
The Fiend's unmasking as Rotunda is widely seen as a great moment in wrestling history.
one of the greatest moments in wrestling history.
— 𝘿𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣 (@SwantonBombss) August 24, 2023
RIP Bray Wyatt.
RIP Windham Rotunda. pic.twitter.com/8KMAijq2pD
Rotunda married in 2012 and had two daughters before divorcing in 2017. He later became engaged to announced JoJo had a son in 2019 and a daughter in 2020.
"One last thing I’ll say about Bray Wyatt is that I’m thankful we were able to see more than just the character Bray Wyatt. We were able to meet the man Windham Rotunda. I’m happy he was able to know how much he meant to everyone. He wanted the world and he damn deserved it," the AEW Out of Context account wrote.
One last thing I’ll say about Bray Wyatt is that I’m thankful we were able to see more than just the character Bray Wyatt. We were able to meet the man Windham Rotunda. I’m happy he was able to know how much he meant to everyone. He wanted the world and he damn deserved it. pic.twitter.com/TqZT21HZ0V
— AEW Out Of Context (@zerocontextAEW) August 24, 2023
The WWE on TNT account wrote, "Windham Rotunda, Bray Wyatt, will go down as one of the most creative minds this industry has ever seen. He dared to push boundaries and explore areas of pro-wrestling where others dared not. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time."
Windham Rotunda, Bray Wyatt, will go down as one of the most creative minds this industry has ever seen.
— WWE on TNT Sports (@wweontnt) August 24, 2023
He dared to push boundaries and explore areas of pro-wrestling where others dared not.
Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/eQ6pigHeMO
Ultimately, it's been a difficult two days for wrestling as fans grapple with the loss of a pair of iconic wrestlers.
"Yesterday we lost Terry Funk & today we lost Bray Wyatt. Two innovative legends," Wrestle Ops wrote. "An incredibly tragic week. Cherish your loved ones, always."
Kat Bailey is IGN's News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
