Former WWE champion Bray Wyatt passes away at 36

Update —

Fightful reports that Bray Wyatt passed away due to a heart attack.

“I was given permission to reveal that earlier this year Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt) got COVID that exacerbated a heart issues,” Sean Ross Sapp wrote. “There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery. Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away.”

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Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), one of the most creative pro wrestlers of all time, has passed away at 36 years old.

Wyatt’s death was announced by Paul “Triple H” Levesque on Thursday. Levesque wrote that Wyatt’s father Mike Rotunda had just informed him that Wyatt passed away unexpectedly today. Levesque stated that WWE’s thoughts are with the Rotunda family and asked everyone to respect their privacy.

“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,” Levesque wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”

Wyatt had been away from the ring since February due to an undisclosed illness. Fightful reported earlier this month that the illness was both career and life threatening, but Wyatt had improved significantly and he was closer to being medically cleared to return to the ring. The report noted that WWE and Wyatt were being extra cautious regarding his condition and long-term health.

Mike Rotunda said in a recent interview that he was hoping Wyatt would return to action shortly.

After being released by the company in July 2021, Wyatt made his return to WWE at Extreme Rules last October. He was a one-time WWE Champion and a two-time Universal Champion during his career.

Wyatt played multiple characters in WWE, including The Fiend and leading the Wyatt Family with Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman, and the late Luke Harper/Brodie Lee (Jon Huber).

Wyatt is survived by his four children, his fiancee Joseann Offerman, and other family including his father Mike, mother Stephanie, brother Taylor (WWE wrestler Bo Dallas), and sister Mika.