Bray Wyatt, the three-time WWE world champion, has died at the age of 36.
The wrestler had been suffering from an undisclosed health condition that had kept him out of the ring since February, but his family described his death as unexpected.
WWE content officer Triple H broke the news on social media, writing that Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, had “unexpectedly passed.”
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, was among many who paid respect to the late actor.
Johnson said on X and previously on Twitter that he was “heartbroken” and that he had “always had tremendous respect and love” for the wrestler.
I loved his presence, promos, in-ring work, and connection with the WWE universe,” he said. A very unique, cool, and rare character, which is difficult to create in our crazy pro wrestling world,
“I thought so highly of Bray Wyatt…,” WWE analyst Mick Foley continued. He was a great visionary and one of the most captivating figures in wrestling history.”
Wyatt comes from a wrestling dynasty that includes his grandpa, Blackjack Mulligan; his father, Mike Rotunda; and his younger brother, Bo Dallas.
Rotunda was a notable wrestling legend in his own right. He was known as the IRS because of his gimmick as a tax collector from Washington, DC, who hounded wrestlers and spectators as “tax cheats.”
Wyatt, who was born on May 23, 1987, in Brooksville, Florida, was a state wrestling champion in high school and received a football scholarship to Troy University.
However, he dropped out before graduation to pursue a career as a professional wrestler, making his professional debut in 2009.
Triple H, whose actual name is Paul Levesque, stated that his father notified him about Rotunda’s death.
I 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,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with his family, and we ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Wrestling writer Sean Ross Sapp subsequently revealed that the 36-year-old died of a heart attack caused by contact with COVID, which aggravated his pre-existing cardiac issues.
“There was a lot of positive progress towards his return and recovery,” he stated. “Unfortunately, he died today due to a heart attack.”
Wyatt’s fiancee, former WWE ring announcer Joseann Offerman, their two children, Wyatt’s two children from a previous marriage, brother Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda), and sister Mika survive him.
