BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — World Wrestling Entertainment star and Brooksville native Bray Wyatt died Thursday, WWE announced. He was 36.
Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, died “unexpectedly,” according to an article on the WWE website that did not mention a cause of death.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Windham Rotunda, also known as Bray Wyatt, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 24, at age 36,” WWE said. “WWE extends its condolences to Rotunda’s family, friends and fans.”
Wyatt, the 2017 WWE champion, was also known as “The Fiend” for a time during his career. His last televised performance came at the 2023 Royal Rumble.
According to WWE, during his career, he was head of The Wyatt Family along with Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman. He also was part of several "iconic" rivalries with a few WWE Superstars, including John Cena, The Undertaker and Randy Orton, the article said.
“Known for his captivating performances and incredible in-ring presence, Wyatt was a defining superstar of his generation,” WWE said.
Wyatt was the son of Mike and Stephanie Rotunda. His father wrestled under the name Irwin R. Schyster, abbreviated to I.R.S. Mike is a WWE Hall of Famer, according to WWE's Chief Content Officer Triple H.
"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," the 14-time wrestling champ tweeted. "Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time."
Wyatt’s grandfather Robert Deroy Windham (Blackjack Mulligan), father, and two of his uncles (Barry and Kendall Windham) all wrestled in WWE. His grandfather also played college football at UTEP and saw preseason action for the New York Jets.
Wyatt redshirted on the Troy football team in 2007.