World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) legend, Bray Wyatt, has died ‘unexpectedly’ from heart attack at the age of 36.
The former world champion, real name Windham Rotunda, had not been seen on screen since February 2023 with reports he had been battling an unspecified illness.
WWE boss, Triple H, revealed the tragic news on Thursday and tweeted: ‘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.’
During his time with WWE, Wyatt was known for his creativity in the wrestling world as he constantly evolved to create intriguing and enigmatic characters.
He truly made his name as the cult leader of the Wyatt Family alongside Erick Rowan and the late Luke Harper (Brodie Lee), facing the likes of John Cena, Kane and The Shield.
Wyatt would later reinvent himself in 2019 with the Firefly Fun House, which saw him play a sinister children’s TV presenter with a demonic alter ego called The Fiend.
He was shockingly released by WWE in 2021, amid cuts during the pandemic, before making a triumphant return at Extreme Rules in October 2022, appearing more like his real self as a character for the first time.
His comeback also saw him joined by the mysterious Uncle Howdy – who was played by his real-life brother and fellow wrestler Bo Dallas – with the two at odds before forming a partnership.
Wyatt had been set to face Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania in April 2023, but the storyline was halted weeks before the event, with reports following that Wyatt was suffering from an unspecified illness.
Hours after his death was announced, Wyatt’s cause of death was revealed to be a heart attack.
Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issues.
‘There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery.
‘Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away.’
He added: ‘I encourage those reading to respect the family’s privacy if at all possible, but his loved ones wanted some details clarified.’
Tributes have begun pouring in for the late star, with Alexa Bliss – who teamed with him on-screen during his time as The Fiend – simply writing: ‘Just in shock. Really at a loss for words at the moment.’
(Metro UK)
