
The pro wrestling community continues to remember Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), who died unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 36.
As PWMania.com previously reported, Wyatt died of a heart attack after a case of COVID-19 exacerbated his heart problems earlier this year.
John Cena expressed his sadness at Wyatt’s death and commented on how Wyatt brought out the best in him.
โDevastated by the news of the passing of Windham Rotunda. My heart goes out to the entire Rotunda family. Windham brought the best out of me in so many ways. Iโm forever grateful for the moments we shared. A sad day for all those he reached around the world. RIP,โ he wrote.
Kevin Owens, the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion, paid tribute and was one of several wrestlers who spoke about how Wyatt was so welcoming to others in the locker room.
โOne of the most creative, unique minds I ever met in this industry. One of the first to welcome new guys with open arms. One of the kindest. One of the good onesโฆ We will miss you, Windham. We love you,โ he wrote.
Bayley also paid her respects, recalling Wyatt as truly irreplaceable.
โBetween your laugh and being able to witness your greatness every time you performed, you are truly irreplaceable. Iโm in disbelief just like everyone else. My heart goes out Windhamโs whole family & everyone who knows & loves him. [music note emoji] Youโve got the whole world in your hand,โ she wrote.
Seth Rollins, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, took to Twitter Friday afternoon and posted an emotional video message, which you can see below.
โTruth is, I still donโt really know what to say. Windham was a unique cat. Simple, yet deeply complex individual. And I loved him. I loved him, I loved working with him, but mostly I just loved being around him. He was always joyful. Just these eyes that drew you in and a smile and a laugh and a presence that just made you happy and weโre all going to miss that. Iโve been thinking mostly about his family, and I wanted to go. I donโt know if wanted was the right word. I thought about going to SmackDown tonight but that would entail leaving my family a day early. I just keep going back to the conversation I had with Wyndham on the phone when Brodie [Lee] passed a few years ago. And, you know, I just had called him to check on him to see how he was doing. And we talked and he was okay and I was okay and neither of us were really okay. We ended the conversation with I love yous and goodbyes. And I remember this very specifically. He said, you just go hug on that baby girl, talking about my daughter. And so I just feel like thatโs what I should be doing. So Windham, I love you, man. I will miss you. We will all miss you. And Iโll see you down the road, hot boy. Bye,โ he said.
WWEโs Director of Longtime Creative Rob Fee paid tribute to his friend with a message on Twitter, commenting on how he feels so lucky to have known Wyatt. Fee was hired as a full-time employee last September, and worked closely with Wyatt on his creative, including the viral White Rabbit teasers for his 2022 return, specifically the direction and production of the successful campaign. Fee, a longtime pro wrestling fan, once pitched a movie based on The Fiend, and while the idea reportedly resonated with WWE higher-ups, and had the possibility of getting produced, the project never got off the ground as Wyatt was released shortly after the pitch in July 2021. In his new tribute, Fee recalled working with Wyatt.
โI was thinking about Brayโs first promo after his return and how he wanted it to be unlike anything he had done before. He wanted it to be Windham. All of it was true. He was nervous. He didnโt want to disappoint. But more than anything he was so excited to be back with his friends to do what he loved. He was always creating. He loved calling and talking for hours about obscure 90s made for TV horror movies or YouTube videos with 400 views that inspired him. He loved that โcover! spear! bray wins!โ is a meme. He loved giving the fans pieces of a puzzle and joyfully watching as they assembled it. He truly loved that you all loved him. I feel so lucky to have known him. I will miss my friend very much. I donโt think Iโll ever fully comprehend that heโs gone. I wouldnโt be where I am without him. I love you, hoot,โ he wrote.
Below are the aforementioned tributes, along with posts from the following wrestlers, Hall of Famers and Legends, as well as the Allstate Arena:
Devastated by the news of the passing of Windham Rotunda. My heart goes out to the entire Rotunda family. Windham brought the best out of me in so many ways. Iโm forever grateful for the moments we shared. A sad day for all those he reached around the world. RIP.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) August 25, 2023
One of the most creative, unique minds I ever met in this industry.
One of the first to welcome new guys with open arms.
One of the kindest.
One of the good onesโฆWe will miss you, Windham.
We love you.
— Kevinn (@FightOwensFight) August 25, 2023
Between your laugh and being able to witness your greatness every time you performed, you are truly irreplaceable.
Iโm in disbelief just like everyone else. My heart goes out Windhamโs whole family & everyone who knows & loves him.
? Youโve got the whole world in your hand
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) August 25, 2023
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) August 25, 2023
Love you, friend ? pic.twitter.com/ViiZldyUBj
— rob fee (@robfee) August 25, 2023
Absolute tragedy.
Our thoughts are with the Rotunda family.
— GUNTHER (@Gunther_AUT) August 25, 2023
My deepest condolences to Windhamโs family and friends. Please know that youโre in our thoughts and prayers.
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) August 25, 2023
Point the way Bray see you on the other side brother ? 1987-2023 the lantern is forever blown out
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) August 25, 2023
?
Rest in paradise uce. pic.twitter.com/ibB30RoUNG— The Usos (@WWEUsos) August 25, 2023
Thinking about Bray and his Family. This sucks so bad. ? pic.twitter.com/r4wiMEqzbc
— Carmelo Hayes (@Carmelo_WWE) August 25, 2023
The Allstate Arena is saddened to learn that Bray Wyatt, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 24, at age 36.
We would like to extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans. pic.twitter.com/XezbrckfuF— Allstate Arena (@AllstateArena) August 25, 2023
— ? QUEEN ZELINA ? (@ZelinaVegaWWE) August 25, 2023
Seeing the outpouring of love for 36 y/o Bray Wyatt is a testament that WHO you are is so much more important than what you accomplish. Every interaction is a chance to shine light on people & he did just that. Such a special human. ??
— Torrie Wilson (@Torrie11) August 25, 2023
So shocked and saddened to hear of Bray Wyatt's passing. This is so hard to process and I am just speechless. Sending my condolences to his family and friends during this difficult and heartbreaking time. #RIPBrayWyatt #BrayWyatt #WWE #WindhamRotunda pic.twitter.com/bCATz4rlNJ
— Lisa Marie Varon (@REALLiSAMARiE) August 24, 2023
Life ainโt always beautiful.
Words feel useless.
Iโll never forget your laugh.
Iโm jealous you get to be with Brodie.
Rest In Peace Windham.
Everyone, Love your loved ones.
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) August 25, 2023
In FCW Windham gave me a list of movies & documentaries to watch & pitch from. He wanted me to be in the family. I think he believed in me more than I did in myself at that time. I learned so much from him creatively but he was just a good good human. โค๏ธ? So smart.This is so sad
— Summer Rae (@DanielleMoinet) August 24, 2023
Like all of us, I just canโt stop thinking about Windham and his family. I canโt believe itโs real. He was such a light and such electric energy. I can hear his laugh now. I get goosebumps remembering how the crowd would react when the lights would go out and the bass line wouldโฆ
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) August 25, 2023
When the 205 guys came to the main roster, Windham was so welcoming.
It really made us feel like we were a part of the crew. Before my brother came back to WWE in 2019, Windham would always ask, "how's your brother doing?" A caring man gone too soon โค๏ธ— Ariya Daivari (@AriyaDaivari) August 25, 2023
205 Live had a live event tour. @MATTHARDYBRAND and Windham were added as a special feature to help move tickets.
I remember telling Windham โsorry for dragging you on tour with us.โ He said โNah hoot, the only way this business works is when we help each other.โ https://t.co/jIjWzoNKke
— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@AliWWE) August 25, 2023