Bray Wyatt dies at 36 as WWE mourns "unexpected" passing of three-time champion
WWE superstar Bray Wyatt has tragically passed away aged 36. The company's chief content officer, Triple H, announced the sad news on social media.
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 privacy at this time.”
Wyatt had been out of action in the WWE ring since late February due to illness. It was recently reported he was close to getting cleared to return with the company putting together plans for his comeback.
He stepped away from the ring shortly before WrestleMania, where he was due to face Bobby Lashley in April before the storyline was abruptly halted. It later emerged he had an unspecified illness.
Bray Wyatt had not appeared in the WWE ring for a number of months due to illness (WWE)It has been reported he died of a heart attack having suffered from heart issue which was exacerbated after he caught COVID. The wrestling universe was quick to pay tribute after the news.
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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson said on social media: "I'm heartbroken over the news of Bray Wyatt’s passing. Always had tremendous respect and love for him and the Rotunda family. Loved his presence, promos, in ring work and connection with WWE universe.
"Very unique, cool and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling. Still processing losing the goat, Terry Funk yesterday and now Bray today. My love, light, strength & mana to the Rotunda family and Funk family during this tough, heartbreaking time."
Wyatt was a third-generation wrestler with his grandfather, Blackjack Mulligan and father, Mike Rotunda, both wrestlers, as well as two of his uncles and younger brother Taylor.
Wyatt was originally the leader of The Wyatt Family alongside Luke Harper and Erick Rowan and became a three-time world champion in WWE. He held the WWE Championship once and the Universal Championship twice.
As the leader of the Wyatt Family, Bray Wyatt shone in WWE (WWE)He reinvented himself with an alter-ego known as The Fiend later in his career. He was surprisingly released by WWE in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic but made a triumphant return in October 2022 before his enforced absence.
He leaves behind four children, two daughters with ex-wife Samantha and a son and daughter with WWE announcer Joseann "JoJo" Offerman, to whom he became engaged last year.
Alexa Bliss wrote: "Just in shock. Really at a loss for words at the moment," and William Regal added: "Devastated to hear of the passing of Windham Rotunda, Bray Wyatt. My deepest condolences to Mike, Bo, Barry and all his family. Rest well my friend.x."
Paige, now known as Saraya having moved to AEW, wrote: "I can’t believe I’m typing this. But RIP Windham. I knew you day 1 of moving to America, you were the biggest sweetheart and were loved by everyone who met you. I’m in shock.. sending all my love to the Rotunda family."
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