I got a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, sharing the devastating news about our own WWE family member, Windham Rotunda, aka Bray Wyatt, passing away today. Levesque posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging everyone to respect their family’s privacy as they deal with this. Our thoughts are with them during this challenging time.
In 2009, Rotunda joined the WWE under its developmental talent and debuted on the main roster in 2010 as part of the group known as ‘The Nexus’, using the ring name ‘Husky Harris’. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that Wyatt’s career soared when he introduced The Wyatt Family alongside Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. He portrayed the ‘Bray Wyatt’ character, adding intricate layers, and later introduced a dark alter-ego named ‘The Fiend’ before he departed from the company in 2021.
Throughout this period, Rotunda secured the WWE championship twice and participated in memorable WrestleMania matches against esteemed opponents like Randy Orton, John Cena, and The Undertaker. Wyatt’s inception as The Wyatt Family instantly captivated the audience. His enigmatic persona, often compared to the legacy of ‘The Undertaker’, provided a fresh twist. The arena lights would dim, and he’d enter holding a lantern, accompanied by eerie music.
He coined the phrases ‘Follow the Buzzards’ and ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands’, showcasing his exceptional crowd-control skills – a rare talent among wrestlers. In 2019, Rotunda introduced ‘The Fiend’, a supernatural character sporting a horror mask. The Fiend became a polarizing figure on WWE TV, while a softer ‘Bray Wyatt entertained children with The Firefly Funhouse segments. Returning to the WWE in 2022 after a year-long absence, Rotunda was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans. During his second appearance, he emotionally addressed the WWE audience.
He engaged in several matches and storylines involving the mysterious ‘Uncle Howdy’, but the narrative abruptly concluded when Rotunda vanished from the scene. A scheduled WrestleMania 39 match between him and Bobby Lashley was cancelled, coinciding with reports of his serious illness. He remained inactive for the subsequent six months before the tragic news broke. Recognized as one of the most innovative minds in professional wrestling, Rotunda hailed from a family deeply rooted in the sport.
His grandfather, Robert Windham, wrestled as ‘Blackjack Mulligan’ during the 1980s, while his Hall of Fame father, Mike, gained prominence as Irwin R. Schyster in the 1990s. Even his uncles, Barry and Kendall Windham, boasted wrestling careers. His brother, Bo Dallas (Taylor Michael Rotunda), was also part of WWE from 2008 to 2021. Rotunda is survived by his wife and former WWE ring announcer, Jojo Offerman, with whom he shares two children. He also had two children from his previous marriage to Samantha Rotunda, from 2012 to 2017.
