Tag: Bray Wyatt

Elimination Chamber winners: Every WWE wrestler to win an Elimination Chamber match

Check out our Elimination Chamber winners list, with details on every WWE wrestler to enter and win Elimination Chamber matches since 2002.

The Elimination Chamber is the answer to a question many wrestling fans probably never thought they’d ask: What’s more formidable than a match inside a steel cage?

WWE came up with it anyway in 2002. Said to be the brainchild of Triple H and Eric Bischoff, the Elimination Chamber combines the brutality of a steel cage match with the chaos and “who’s next” suspense of the Royal Rumble. And the structure itself is a key component, with its roofed cage and four pods — which have become central to some of the match’s most creative spots over the years.

Like the Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber has gone on to become the star of its own series of premium live events, with men’s and women’s versions of its namesake match. Not bad for a gimmick match that was originally a brand-only affair.

After the 2023 Elimination Chamber event in Montreal, WWE will be past 30 total Elimination Chamber matches, with no end in sight. Let’s take a look back at every winner since the first one was held in 1992.

The biggest professional wrestling stories of 2023: CM Punk, TKO and more

From WWE to AEW and beyond, here were the things that stood out most in an eventful year in pro wrestling.

Take a deep breath, wrestling fans. The year 2023 is almost over.

It is understandable if you haven’t done that a whole lot over the last 12 months, as the industry has not provided many opportunities to take in a soothing sigh of relief.

There were many ups, quite a few downs, but all in all, 2023 was a banner year for professional wrestling that in hindsight will be fondly remembered as one of the most impactful in the history of the industry.

But before we look ahead to 2024, let’s take one last look back on the year’s biggest stories in professional wrestling.

Swerve Strickland on his Bray Wyatt tribute at AEW Full Gear: ‘I just wanted to show appreciation that the love and influence wasn’t lost’

Swerve Strickland explained his thoughtful Bray Wyatt tribute at AEW Full Gear.

In November, one of AEW’s brightest stars, Swerve Strickland, competed in one of the bloodiest, most brutal pro wrestling matches ever broadcast at AEW Full Gear. He defeated Hangman Adam Page, making it an unforgettable night and arguably a career-defining moment.

That night, the 33-year-old stood out in another way by paying tribute to the late Bray Wyatt, who passed away earlier this year, with his gear design. They were simultaneously in WWE earlier in their careers.

In an interview on Not Sam Wrestling with Sam Roberts, Strickland explained his homage to Wyatt, saying he wanted to pay tribute to someone who was “ahead of his time” and show appreciation to someone who was loved (h/t Fightful for transcription).

I didn’t know Bray as close as a lot of people like Brodie Lee, there were people influenced by him from his time there, but some people have known him since FCW or NXT and they have that personal connection. To me, I remember when The Fiend was really going, there was a lot of chatter that it wasn’t for them, as a fan. I was like, ‘No, this is brilliant work.’ I don’t think people really appreciated the brilliance he was bringing to the screen and a lot of risks he was taking, week by week, which is not easy to do. Weekly television on two shows. It wasn’t just Raw or SmackDown, he was doing both shows with his material. Bringing that to the real world. I really appreciated that and I think he was ahead of his time. I just wanted to show appreciation that the love and influence wasn’t lost. I put that as part of my gear, and I was in the locker room with him during my time at 205 [205 Live], he always gave me hugs. He was awesome.

At one point, I had to help him with a Fiend mask. It was COVID and we were all in that box together. There were times I had to help him with that. There were times I would see him in Gorilla coming back when they were testing the red lighting after the show and getting that going. I’ve seen a lot of those processes with him. He was always a good brother in the locker room. He was fun, really cool.

That was one of those things of, ‘you’ve always influenced me through all of this.’ No matter what, if it was their taste or wasn’t, I’m a horror person, and I was really happy to see a new age of horror brought to the screen in an industry that I love and I was like, ‘Man, that was a revolutionary.’ I wanted to take a little piece of that into what I was doing that night. If anything, I feel like his spirit powered that match.

Strickland made a thoughtful gesture, clearly appreciating Wyatt’s abilities as his character in the wrestling ring. His larger-than-life persona endeared him to both fans and wrestlers, leaving an impact that will endure forever.

John Cena loved Bray Wyatt’s creativity: ‘He was always about the art and the story’

The WWE’s Greatest of All Time had high praise for one of its recently deceased superstars.

John Cena encountered rivals throughout his career that shaped him in WWE such as Brock Lesnar, CM Punk and Kurt Angle. However, none were arguably as intriguing as the late Bray Wyatt, who passed away on Aug. 24, 2023.

In 2014, Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, collectively known as The Wyatt Family, feuded with Cena on the road to WrestleMania 30. This rivalry led to one of the most significant matches in Wyatt’s career, but it was their WrestleMania clash in 2020, the Firefly Fun House bout, that stood out as one of WWE’s most innovative productions. The 16-time World Champion, earlier this year, called this match one of the most rewarding of his career.

Cena recently recalled his best matches in a video on WWE’s YouTube channel, one of which came against Wyatt. He discussed their similarities but also praised the Eater of Worlds’ creativity and knack for storytelling in the pro wrestling ring (h/t Fightful for transcription).

I really enjoyed performing with Bray. We were cut from the same cloth in that regard. Both storytellers and both wanting to do bizarre things, and I think we, him and I, have always tried to do different things, and we’ve embraced each other’s creativity. Using the child at the door of the cage, the Firefly Funhouse match, those are ideas that come from a unique individual. I always loved Windham’s creativity. He never strictly leaned on the physicality of anything. He was always about the art and the story.

Wyatt possessed special talent, and it’s clear Cena appreciated his abilities and the work they did together in a handful of matches at WWE.

During that six-year period from 2014-20, Cena and Wyatt teamed to create some of the most intriguing stories in WWE, making their rivalry a memorable one to look back on and celebrate.

WWE stars pay heartfelt tributes to Bray Wyatt on Raw

Raw superstars got their chance to pay tribute to the late Bray Wyatt this week in several heartwarming ways.

Following the news of his tragic passing last week, WWE paid tribute to Bray Wyatt on the Aug. 25 episode of SmackDown with a 10-bell salute, promos, and in-ring maneuvers dedicated to him. Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan, two members of the Wyatt Family, stood center stage for the show-opening tribute, while LA Knight — the last person to feud with him — shined a spotlight on what made Wyatt so special to work with.

The memorials continued during the Aug. 28 episode of Raw, from the empty rocking chair to WWE superstars who were not part of SmackDown honoring Wyatt in their own ways.

Kevin Owens, among other talent, wore an armband bearing the name “Windham” in tribute to Wyatt.

As Seth Rollins opened his mid-show promo, he said “Yowie Wowie,” which was one of Wyatt’s famous catchphrases. In an interview with Good Day Sacramento in 2019, Wyatt said he would utter those words whenever he was happy and could not control what he said.

Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship also included a Fiend side plate.

After she defeated Zoey Stark in a Falls Count Anywhere match, Becky Lynch told the crowd a story of how Wyatt had helped her with a match at an old TLC pay-per-view, where Alexa Bliss put Lynch through a table to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. She shared the heartfelt and touching moment, wearing a “Bray” armband in tribute, too.

The tributes to Wyatt were powerful on Raw and SmackDown. He left those he worked with an everlasting impression, and it is clear his spirit will live on in WWE.

5 most touching moments from the SmackDown Terry Funk, Bray Wyatt tribute show

WWE used SmackDown to remember Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt in several wonderful ways.

Friday night’s SmackDown from Louisville was the kind of show WWE hopes it never has to do. After losing not one, but two beloved figures during the week — Terry Funk, who died at 79, and Bray Wyatt, who passed away unexpectedly at just 36 — it was the kind of broadcast that had to be extremely difficult for the wrestlers and staff to put on.

It was tough for fans as well, still reeling from the fact that a universally respected legend and a uniquely creative superstar were both gone. Yet by turning most of Friday’s show into a tribute to Funk and Wyatt, WWE managed to make it as cathartic as possible. Certainly it felt that way watching at home, and hopefully it turned out the same for everyone involved.

Yes, there was sadness. Yes, there were tears. But SmackDown also did a fantastic job of highlighting the joy both men brought to so many during the course of their careers.

Emotional? No question. Touching? Absolutely.

If ever there was a SmackDown to revisit, this was it. Here, in chronological order, were the five most touching moments from Friday night.

WWE SmackDown preview 08/25/23: SKY vs. Vega, Bray Wyatt tribute

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown is said to have a “significant tribute element” for the late Bray Wyatt.

The stunning, unexpected death of Bray Wyatt this week has tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Lousiville in a state of flux. Some of what was initially promoted for the show now appears to be off, including a segment with the return of Jimmy Uso.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful says there is expected to be a “significant tribute element” for Wyatt.

Two matches look like they are still on tap for tonight. One will see IYO SKY make her first televised defense of the WWE Women’s Championship against Zelina Vega.

The other match that remains on for now pits Vega’s LWO teammate, Rey Mysterio, against Grayson Waller. Mysterio’s United States Championship is not on the line, but the two men have an ongoing issue that goes beyond the title.

It’s possible that WWE will release additional information about what to expect from the Wyatt tribute elements, and we’ll update this post with more information if and when it comes in. What’s sure to be an emotional WWE SmackDown takes place at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

The deaths of Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt, and the sobering reality surrounding them

Whether wrestler deaths are expected or sudden, they don’t hurt any less.

For wrestling fans, the summer of 2023 has been a dream.

Multiple promotions are breaking box office records, the major storylines are as compelling as ever, and watching great in-ring action has become the norm.

But as summer comes to an end, the entire industry — from wrestlers to the fans that watch them — was hit with the sobering reality that is life.

On Wednesday, wrestling legend Mick Foley broke the news that the world lost its favorite middle-aged and crazy wrestler, Terry Funk, at the age of 79. 

Funk had dealt with a number of health issues for quite some time, but that didn’t make the news any less hurtful, as the former NWA World Heavyweight champion was revered by those in and out of the industry.

But a day later, the wrestling world was handed more bad news. This time from WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealing that he had received a horrible phone call. That call was from former WWE wrestler/agent Mike Rotunda, who had the unenviable task of delivering the unfathomable news that his own son Windham, who wrestled in WWE as Bray Wyatt, had died. He was 36 — far too young for anyone to leave this Earth. 

And just like that, the summer bliss that wrestling fans had been experiencing vanished. In its place was sorrow. It was a jarring reminder that our heroes are not immortal. One day, they too will perish, and dealing with the aftermath will be difficult. 

Windham Rotunda’s death will be especially difficult to come to terms with. He was a father, husband, beloved by his peers for his warmth and kindness, and not even 40 years old.

Professionally, he was admired for his creativity, and had made his much ballyhooed return to WWE television less than a year ago at Extreme Rules. I was in the building that night, and when the former WWE champion finally walked from behind the curtain, the place came unglued.

Despite many iterations and creative missteps, the Bray Wyatt character struck a chord with legions of wrestling fans. That was mainly due to the man playing the part.

Instead of continuing on as one of the most influential wrestlers in the industry, Windham Rotunda is another in the long line of wrestlers that have died under tragic circumstances.

Back in 2014, FiveThirtyEight conducted a study that showed how wrestlers died at an exponentially higher rate than the rest of the population across multiple age groups. For Windham Rotunda’s age group, 35-40, the expected death rate for wrestlers was at 10 percent, much higher than the 1.9 percent for everyone else, including myself, as I am merely two years younger than Rotunda.

The data was similar when comparing wrestlers to other professional athletes, according to FiveThirtyEight.

But to be fair, a good chunk of that data was made up of wrestlers who died due to the razor’s edge lifestyle that was pro wrestling during the industry’s boom periods of the 1980s and ’90s. Windham Rotunda and even Jay Briscoe, who died earlier this year after a fatal car accident at 38, weren’t that. 

These were the swift punches to the gut you have no way of anticipating nor avoiding. And sometimes, that’s just how life is. It is an excruciatingly difficult fact to accept. 

I’ve managed to come to better terms regarding Funk, who far outlived FiveThirtyEight’s data. The oldest age range of the data was 55-60. Funk almost lived to be 80. For anyone, that is something worth noting. For a wrestler from Funk’s generation, it should be celebrated. 

The 55-60 age range didn’t even have the highest death rate among wrestlers. That belonged to people in the 50-55 range, which was at a staggering 20% compared to 7.5 for everyone else.

When Funk was in his 50s, he was winning championships as a full-time performer in WWE, Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling. And this wasn’t some broken down old man who dramatically changed his style. Funk was still holding his own in barbed wire death matches and was ready to pull off a moonsault if he had to.

Not only was Funk an outlaw, he was an outlier.

However, it still hurts.

It still hurts knowing that people who brought so much light to the world are gone. It hurts knowing that Windham Rotunda’s family will have to now pick up the pieces of something that can never be fully put back together.

We were lucky to have watched them both, and through those moments, maybe we can help them live forever.

WWE to donate all net proceeds from Bray Wyatt merch to children, fiancée

WWE Shop has a blurb on all Bray Wyatt merchandise explaining where the proceeds will go.

Following the stunning news of the death of Bray Wyatt, WWE is ensuring future sales of his merchandise go to benefit his family.

As posted on all of Wyatt’s merch on WWE Shop, all net proceeds will go to fiancée JoJo Offerman and his four children.

In the wake of Bray Wyatt’s death, WWE will donate all net proceeds to support JoJo Offerman and Bray’s children.

This is a significant increase over what WWE wrestlers generally receive from products bearing their name and/or likeness, as David Bixenspan of SEScoops explained.

Word of Wyatt’s death was first shared with the wrestling world earlier today by Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who learned of his passing from Wyatt’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda.

Wyatt had been off WWE programming for more than six months, and was said to have been battling illness. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful later reported that Wyatt contracted COVID-19 which exacerbated some pre-existing heart issues, leading to a heart attack that claimed his life.

WWE, wrestling world pays tribute to the late Bray Wyatt

Social media filled up with tributes Thursday after the tragic news that WWE star Bray Wyatt had died at 36.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Windham Rotunda, a.k.a. Bray Wyatt, was a singular talent. In both his original incarnation as a cult-like figure who dripped with menace, and later as a man who manifested his dark side as The Fiend, Rotunda was able to capture the imaginations of WWE fans repeatedly over the course of his career.

The possibility that there was still more to come is one of the things that made the news delivered by Paul “Triple H” Levesque this week, that Rotunda’s family revealed he had passed away unexpectedly, so devastating. Just weeks removed from hopeful reports that he might return to WWE in the near future, the wrestling world had to process the fact that instead, he was gone.

As it often does in times like these, social media provided a way for wrestlers and others who worked with Rotunda to remember and honor him in the wake of his passing.