WWE champion Bray Wyatt dies aged 36
WWE world champion Bray Wyatt has died at the age of 36.
The star wrestler has been dealing with an undisclosed health issue that had kept him away from wrestling since February, but his family has described his death as “sudden.”
WWE content officer Triple H, posted on social media that Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, had “unexpectedly passed.”
Dwyane Johnson, aka The Rock, said he was “heartbroken” and had “always had tremendous respect and love” for the wrestler.
“Loved his presence, promos, in ring work and connection with @WWE universe,” he wrote. “Very unique, cool and rare character, which is hard to create in our crazy world of pro wrestling.”
WWE commentator Mick Foley added: “I thought so highly of Bray Wyatt… He was a true visionary; one of the most compelling presences that wrestling has ever seen.”
He had recently missed several months due to illness but was close to returning to the WWE before his death, according to Wrestling News.
Last year, Wyatt broke character to discuss his mental health struggles, commenting: “I lost a lot of things. I lost my career, I lost two people who were very, very close to me, and I lost my way.
“I got to a point where I thought that everything that Id’ ever done here otherwise I thought was all meaningless.”
Triple H, real name Paul Levesque, said he had been informed of Rotunda’s death by his father.
“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 wrote.
“Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”
Triple H
Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp later said that the 36-year-old had died of a heart attack.
“There was a lot of positive progress towards a return and his recovery,” he said. “Unfortunately today he suffered a heart attack and passed away.”