Bray Wyatt: A Heartfelt Tribute to the WWE Icon Who Captured Fans’ Hearts

Bray Wyatt was a groundbreaking force in the wrestling world, captivating fans with his unique persona that drew parallels to Mr. Rogers. He led the Wyatt family alongside Lark Harper (the late Brody Lee) and Eric Rowan while also showcasing a dual persona as a magician. Tragically, Wyatt passed away from a heart attack on August 24, 2023, after battling Covid-19, leaving the wrestling community in shock at the age of 36.

News of Wyatt’s death was shared by Paul “Triple H” Levesque via social media, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow wrestlers. The WWE held a moment of celebration for Wyatt alongside hardcore legend Terry Funk the night following “WWE Smackdown.”

During “Smackdown,” a lone lantern was left in the ring after the final match, symbolizing Wyatt’s constant presence. Fans illuminated their phones in tribute while a heartfelt “Thank You Wyatt” chant echoed throughout the arena.

Tributes to Wyatt continued for weeks and months, with wrestlers from WWE and AEW honoring the “Eater of Worlds” during major events, showcasing the impact he had on countless lives.

At the time of his passing, Wyatt was engaged to former WWE ring announcer and “Total Diva” alum JoJo Offerman. Together, they had two children and Wyatt’s two from a previous marriage. Offerman has opted for a quiet life since his death but made a surprise appearance in AEW, signaling her link back to the wrestling community.

On January 4, 2025, Offerman acted as a guest ring announcer for a dark match preceding “AEW Collision” but later captured fans’ attention by performing on stage. Singing Chaka Khan’s hit “Ain’t Nobody,” fireflies appeared behind her, which signified her tribute to Wyatt.

Previously, at AEW’s Full Gear in November 2023, former champion Swerve Strickland also honored Wyatt, wearing red and black gear in a brutal match, highlighting Wyatt’s lasting influence.

Wyatt’s last opponent was Lanite during the notable Mountain Dew Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble in 2023. Lanite expressed how surreal it felt to be Wyatt’s final competitor. Despite the flashy setup of the match, the aftermath left both participants wrestling in darkness during numerous dark matches.

Known as “Megastar,” Lanite felt the weight of Wyatt’s passing during “WWE Smackdown” the following day, as he paid homage during his promo, recalling their connection. “The clever guy, Miz told me the next time you see me… when you ran,” Lanite remarked.

Jeff Hardy, who had a close relationship with Wyatt, honored him by displaying a demon-themed face paint during a match in September 2024 on “TNA Impact!” Hardy, who had never painted his face like this before, shared that he drew inspiration for the design while preparing in his hotel room.

His brother Matt Hardy reflected on their past collaborations and conveyed how much he cherished their interactions. He wished they could have teamed up more with Wyatt’s unique persona during their time at WWE.

During 2020, WWE star Alexa Bliss became entwined with Wyatt’s dark narrative and character, often appearing alongside him. After Wyatt’s passing, Bliss expressed her sorrow while on maternity leave. She made her return at the 2025 Royal Rumble with a nostalgic look combining elements that paid homage to Wyatt.

Her ensemble featured letters morphing “Fiend” into “Friends,” and she even incorporated Wyatt’s gear into her outfit, symbolizing her lasting connection to him.

In the wake of Wyatt’s death, several WWE stars chose to memorialize him with tattoos, including Braun Strowman, Karion Kross, and others. They honored Wyatt’s legacy by getting matching ink of his iconic moth symbol, providing a heartfelt tribute to a cherished colleague.

Kross shared the experience on social media, expressing that the tattoo night was cathartic for Wyatt’s friends, encapsulating the profound bond they shared.

Wyatt’s passing sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, impacting even AEW, which held its significant “All In” event shortly after. Former WWE star Chris Jericho dedicated a heartfelt tribute to Wyatt during a Fozzy concert in London, calling Wyatt one of the greatest creative minds he worked with, which resonated with fans.

Jericho led the audience in a rendition of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” celebrating Wyatt’s legacy and reflecting on their close friendship.

At AEW’s “All In,” the House of Black paid tribute by turning the stadium lights off, illuminating the audience with phone lights in a heartfelt remembrance of Wyatt. Buddy Matthews lit a lantern, placing it in front of them as a gesture of respect, reflecting universal admiration for Wyatt’s impact in wrestling.

Members of the House of Black had their own ties to Wyatt, making the tribute even more poignant and illustrating how deeply he resonated with those in the wrestling fraternity.

Fans anticipated Wyatt would be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024, but instead, his father Mike Rotunda and uncle Barry Wyndham were honored at WrestleMania weekend. The emotional ceremony included Bray’s siblings, who expressed their heartfelt wishes for his presence during the induction.

In a touching conclusion, Rotunda raised his phone’s flashlight, asking the audience to illuminate the arena in Wyatt’s honor, creating a memorable moment filled with love and remembrance.

Seth Rollins, who had a complicated yet meaningful rivalry with Wyatt, felt deeply impacted by his passing. Shortly after Wyatt died, Rollins shared his grief publicly and also paid homage to him by incorporating Wyatt’s catchphrase into his promo during “WWE Raw.”

Additionally, Rollins modified the design of his championship side plates to feature Wyatt’s image, a subtle but powerful tribute to their friendship, reflecting the bond they shared both in and out of the ring.

That evening, Becky Lynch also honored Wyatt by wearing a black armband with his name, showcasing the solidarity felt across the wrestling community.