On August 24, the pro wrestling world bid farewell to Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), who tragically passed away at the age of 36.
Sean Ross Sapp from Fightful revealed that Bray had contracted COVID-19 earlier in the year, which worsened an existing heart condition. Despite initial improvements in his health, he sadly suffered a heart attack that caused him to pass away.
The son of WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, Windham Rotunda, was named after his dad’s former tag team partner, Barry Windham. He joined WWE in 2008 and initially wrestled in their developmental league in Florida using the name Alex Rotunda, often teaming up with his brother Bo.
Bray then underwent a transformation by WWE and became Husky Harris, participating in NXT. He later became a part of the Nexus stable from 2011 to 2012.
Rotunda then took on the role of Bray Wyatt, portraying him as a cult leader who led a group known as the Wyatt Family. Their entrances were rememberable as fans illuminated the arena with the flashlights on their smartphones. Wyatt referred to the fans as his “fireflies,” creating a mesmerizing effect during his ring entrance.
Wyatt reached the peak of his fame by embodying a character named “The Fiend.” Occasionally, he would present himself as a cheerful figure hosting a children’s show. However, when provoked, he would transform into The Fiend, donning a chilling clown mask. This character swiftly gained widespread popularity and stood out as one of WWE’s highest-selling merchandise attractions.
Throughout his career, Bray Wyatt has won several championships, including the WWE Championship, the Universal Championship, and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
