Bray Wyatt was an American professional wrestler who performed in WWE from 2009 to 2021, and then again from 2022 until his death in 2023.
He was known for his enigmatic cult leader character and innovative and creative in-ring work.
He was a three-time WWE world champion and a member of the wrestling family of the Rotundas.
Bray Wyatt’s cause of death
According to various sources, Bray Wyatt died of a heart attack in his sleep on August 24, 2023.
He had been suffering from heart complications for months and had contracted COVID-19 earlier that year, which worsened his condition.
He was not wearing a doctor-recommended heart defibrillator at the time of his death, which was found in his car outside his home.
He had seen a doctor earlier in the day for his ongoing heart issue. It was a tragic loss for the wrestling world and his fans.
WWE is saddened to learn that Windham Rotunda, also known as Bray Wyatt, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 24, at age 36.
WWE extends its condolences to Rotunda’s family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/pabVuaKlnP
— WWE (@WWE) August 24, 2023
Bray Wyatt career
Wyatt had an unforgettable career in WWE, spanning over a decade and featuring multiple character transformations and championship reigns.
He debuted in WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), in 2009 under the ring name Alex Rotunda, and later changed it to Duke Rotundo.
Wyatt formed a tag team with his brother Bo Dallas and won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice.
He was introduced to the main roster in 2010 as Husky Harris, a member of The Nexus, a rebellious group of rookies who invaded WWE. He was involved in several feuds with John Cena, Randy Orton, and CM Punk, before being sent back to FCW in 2011.
Wyatt returned to WWE’s rebranded developmental territory, NXT, in 2012 as Bray Wyatt, a charismatic cult leader who claimed to have a special connection with Sister Abigail, a mysterious entity.
He formed The Wyatt Family with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, and later added Braun Strowman to the group.
They terrorized NXT and then moved to the main roster in 2013, where they clashed with top stars like Daniel Bryan, The Shield, The Undertaker and Roman Reigns.
He won his first world title, the WWE Championship, at the 2017 Elimination Chamber, after pinning Cena and Styles in the same match.
Wyatt defended the title against Cena, Styles, and Orton at WrestleMania 33, but lost it to Orton in a match that featured bizarre projections of insects and worms on the ring.
He then moved to Raw and briefly teamed up with Orton as part of The Wyatt Family, before turning on him and losing a House of Horrors match.
Wyatt formed an unlikely alliance with Matt Hardy in 2018, and won the Raw Tag Team Championship with him at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
They lost the titles to The B-Team, which consisted of his brother Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. He then took a hiatus from WWE for almost a year, during which he teased a new character on social media.
He returned to WWE in April 2019 with a new split personality gimmick, where he hosted a children’s show called Firefly Fun House as a cheerful and friendly Bray Wyatt, but also unleashed his dark alter ego, The Fiend, a monstrous and sadistic creature who wore a mask and attacked his former rivals.
Wyatt won the Universal Championship twice as The Fiend, first by defeating Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel, and then by defeating Goldberg at SummerSlam.
He also had memorable feuds with Finn Balor, Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, John Cena, and Randy Orton, using various mind games and supernatural elements.
Wyatt also introduced a female companion, Alexa Bliss, who became corrupted by his influence and helped him in his matches.
He was released from WWE in July 2021, reportedly due to budget cuts, but also due to creative differences and mental health issues. He received an outpouring of support from his fans and peers, who praised his talent and creativity.
Wyatt returned to WWE in September 2022, after resolving his issues with the company and signing a new contract.
He claimed to be his “real-life” self, Windham Rotunda, and said he wanted to start fresh and make amends with his past enemies. He also hinted at bringing back his previous personas, as well as introducing new ones, in his quest to become the best version of himself.
He had his only televised match during his return at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where he defeated LA Knight in a dominant performance.
Wyatt then took a medical hiatus in February 2023, after testing positive for COVID-19 and suffering from heart complications.
He died of a heart attack on August 24, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and inspiration.
