04/27/24
August 25, 2023
RIP Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt: The wrestling world lost one of its most legendary performers when hardcore innovator Terry Funk passed away this week at the age of 79. This was followed by another blow when one of WWE's most creative and innovative performers, Bray Wyatt (real name Windham Rotunda) died of cardiac-related COVID complications at the age of 36.
posted by The_Black_Hand to extreme at 09:42 PM - 6 comments
I haven't followed wrestling for 25 years, but for some reason, I felt compelled to read Defector's story on Bray Wyatt and watch the embedded clips of his performances. What a performer he was. His persona(s) jumped off the screen, and I could definitely see tuning in on a weekly basis to keep track of his antics. I also understand he had a reputation as one of the nicest human beings ever to don the tights.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:43 PM on August 28, 2023
Why the name Bray Wyatt? I can't figure it out and my internet searches must be bad because I'm not seeing a reason for it. If there's a pun in the name, I'm not able to find. Is that the name of an old horror icon?
posted by NoMich at 03:23 PM on August 28, 2023
I always thought that if my real name was Windham Rotunda, I wouldn't need a ring name, and if I did, it wouldn't be something like Bray Wyatt.
Maybe it's a spoonerism of "way bright". Which is perhaps a catchphrase among the culturati of the Sunshine State.
posted by beaverboard at 05:10 PM on August 28, 2023
BTW, I'm not being demeaning with my question, I'm genuinely curious. I keep reading what a game changer he was and I keep meaning to look up his matches on Youtube but I have no time right now. I will one of these days, though.
posted by NoMich at 10:10 PM on August 28, 2023
Finally got around to watching this Bray Wyatt v John Cena match from 2020. What a great way to take advantage of the fact that there would be no crowd; fantastic match. I'll have to watch more of Bray's work
posted by NoMich at 10:13 AM on August 29, 2023
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