Another athlete passed away too soon, leaving fans and fellow athletes alike shocked and saddened.
WWE star professional wrestler Bray Wyatt passed away unexpectedly on Thursday. WWE’s creative head Paul “Triple H” Levesque announced the sad news on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter):
Just got a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, who told us about the sad news that a lifelong member of our WWE family, Windham Rotunda – also known as Bray Wyatt – passed away unexpectedly earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect his privacy at this time.
Just got a call from WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, who told us about the sad news that a lifelong member of our WWE family, Windham Rotunda – also known as Bray Wyatt – passed away unexpectedly earlier today. Our thoughts are with his family and we request everyone to respect him…
— Triple H (@TripleH) 24 August 2023
new york post notes Wyatt won the WWE Championship once and the promotion’s Universal Championship twice. He was also a part of two tag-team championship teams.
The cause of Wyatt’s death is currently unknown. Post informed of Wyatt was battling an undisclosed “life-threatening illness” earlier this year but was close to returning to WWE. No autopsy has been scheduled as of the time of this writing.
Fans and fellow wrestlers were shocked to hear the news of Wyatt’s passing.
As a wrestling fan for over 40 years and podcasting for over 11 years, no death has shaken me like Brey Wyatt. A community heard about their struggles but there was clearly more to the story. Condolences to his friends, family and colleagues. #RIPBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/wqeTXSpzPf
— Lee Sanders (@TheRCWRShow) 24 August 2023
Deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Bray Wyatt. It’s so hard to process and I’m speechless. My condolences to his family and friends during this difficult and heartbreaking time. #RIPBrayWyatt #brewquote #WWE #WindHammerRotunda pic.twitter.com/bCATz4rlNJ
— Lisa Marie Varone (@REALLiSAMARiE) 24 August 2023
Great man. a great father. a great friend. An excellent artist. a great storyteller. There will never be another mind like the Windham Rotunda.
Thank you Windham for giving us Bray Wyatt and sharing your gift with the world. You will really be missed. I am surprised
RIP Bray Wyatt🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/tIniScEOiA
– Joey Karney (@theangelradio) from The Angel Podcast 24 August 2023
I am very surprised. Please don’t let the news about Bray Wyatt become reality. I can’t. pic.twitter.com/dJP7mdQckl
— The™ Jessie Devin (@jessithebuckeye) 24 August 2023
I am in shock. Very heart broken and I have no words. What I can say is what a wonderful person Windham is. A wonderful and kind friend. One of the most creative minds ever to walk this earth. Windham, you brought so much joy and happiness to everyone around you.… pic.twitter.com/QELzyKKkNI
– Lexi (Kauffman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) 24 August 2023
WWE legend and movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also mourned the death of his former rival.
I am saddened by the news of the passing of Bray Wyatt. I have always had great respect and love for him and the Rotunda family. Loved his appearance, promos, in ring work and engagement @WWE Universe.
Very unique, fabulous and rare character, hard to make out in our craziness… pic.twitter.com/i9zlbJIOL3– Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) 24 August 2023
According to Wrestling Ops, WWE is in the process of setting up their website so that the funds raised from Wyatt’s merchandise can be given directly to his family.
WWE is currently in the process of setting up their website so that the funds raised from Bray Wyatt’s merchandise can go directly to his family (PWInsider) ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kTPAco6NXa
– Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) 25 August 2023
Wyatt is Survived by his fiancée, former WWE ring announcer JoJo Offerman, and their two children and two children from a previous relationship.