The passing of a wrestler can have a significant impact on fans around the world

By ‘For Men To Talk’ founder Luke Newman.

I’ve been a fan of wrestling since I was a kid, especially World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), now known as ‘Sports Entertainment’. It is one of the largest and most well-known professional wrestling organisations in the world.

The WWE produces a wide range of content, including live events, television shows, pay-per-view events, and digital media. Their flagship shows include ‘Monday Night Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’, which air weekly and feature scripted wrestling matches, storylines, and character development. WWE wrestlers, also known as ‘Superstars’, participate in choreographed matches that combine athleticism, acting and entertainment.

I grew up watching the ‘best ever’ WWE wrestlers, such as Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Shawn Michaels and my favourite, The Undertaker.

Now at the age of 42, I still really enjoy it. 

One of today’s best known wrestler for his unique character work and storytelling abilities was Windham Rotunda, known by his ring name Bray Wyatt. I say was, because today we heard the news that he had passed away.

Rotunda was a third-generation wrestler, with his grandfather being Blackjack Mulligan and his father being Mike Rotunda (also known as Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S.). This strong wrestling lineage influenced his career choice.

He transitioned to the main WWE roster as part of ‘The Wyatt Family’ stable in 2013. The stable, led by Bray Wyatt, consisted of him and two followers, Luke Harper (later known as Harper), who has also passed away, and Erick Rowan.

Bray Wyatt’s character was characterised by his eerie, cult-like persona. He often delivered cryptic promos and had a mysterious and captivating presence. His persona evolved over time, and he introduced variations of his character, such as ‘The Fiend’. The Fiend was a darker and more supernatural version of Bray Wyatt, complete with a creepy mask and a disturbing demeanor.

One of the most notable aspects of Bray Wyatt’s career was his ability to create compelling storylines and engage audiences through his character’s psychological and sometimes supernatural elements. His matches often included innovative and cinematic elements, setting him apart from traditional wrestling characters.

Throughout his WWE career, Bray Wyatt won several championships, including the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship. He also engaged in memorable feuds with various wrestlers, leaving a lasting impact on WWE storytelling.

Bray’s passing at the age of just 36 follows many deaths at a young age from the wrestling world. The passing of a wrestler can have a significant impact on both the wrestling community and fans around the world. 

Wrestlers often develop close connections with their fans due to their on-screen personas, performances and interactions through various media platforms. When a wrestler passes away, it can evoke strong emotions and reactions.

The fans can experience a deep sense of loss when a wrestler they admired or felt a connection to passes away. Many fans grow up watching these wrestlers and become emotionally invested in their characters and careers. The news of a wrestler’s death can evoke feelings of sadness, shock and even grief, especially if the wrestler had a meaningful impact on their lives.

We seem to forget that wrestlers are performers and actors. Inside the wrestling community, there isn’t good guys and bad guys, they often form a close-knit community due to the nature of their profession. When a colleague, such as Bray passes away, fellow wrestlers, promoters and backstage personnel can be deeply affected.

The passing of a wrestler often prompts reflection on their career, contributions, and legacy. Fans and fellow wrestlers may revisit their matches, promos and memorable moments, celebrating the impact the wrestler had on the industry. I certainly believe that this will be the case for Bray Wyatt who had unforgettable contests inside the squared-circle.

As a wrestling fan, but also as a person, I would like to send mine and For Men To Talk’s condolences to Windham Rotunda’s family, friends and millions of fans.