The wrestler had been dealing with an undisclosed health issue that had kept him out of the ring since February, but his death was characterised as sudden by his family.

The news was announced by WWE content officer Triple H, who posted on social media that Wyatt, real name Windham Rotunda, had “unexpectedly passed”.

Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, was among those paying tribute to the star.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Johnson 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.”

Rotunda came from a family of wrestlers, including his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, his father Mike Rotunda, and his younger brother Bo Dallas.

Born in Brooksville, Florida on May 23, 1987, Wyatt was a state wrestling champion in high school and earned a football scholarship to Troy University.

However, he left his course before graduating to become a professional wrestler, making his professional debut in 2009.

Reports suggested the star had died from a heart attack

He fought under several names including Husky Harris, Alex Rotunda, Duke Rotundo and The Fiend.

As Bray Wyatt, he portrayed the villainous leader of a cult faction named The Wyatt family with Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman, and the late Luke Harper (aka Brodie Lee).

After being released from WWE in 2021, he made a long-awaited comeback at the pay-per-view Extreme Rules event last October, where he debuted a new version of his character.

He had recently missed several months due to illness but was close to returning to the WWE before his death, according to Wrestling News.

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.”

Wrestling reporter Sean Ross Sapp later said that the 36-year-old had died of a heart attack, after a brush with Covid that exacerbated existing heart conditions.

“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.”

Wyatt is survived by his fiancee and former WWE ring announcer Joseann Offerman, their four children, brother Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda), and sister Mika.

“WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham has passed away,” WWE said in a statement. “A former WWE Champion, Graham’s flashy fashion style, over-the-top interviews and bodybuilder physique created the archetype for a generation of Superstars that followed in his footsteps.”

Graham’s health issues

Graham, whose birth name was Eldridge Wayne Coleman, had health issues for many years after his wrestling career. In his autobiography, he detailed that he had a liver transplant in 2002 after a long history of drug abuse. He continued to have liver problems over the next decade.

In April, his family said he had been hospitalized for over four months, losing over 80 pounds while dealing with an infection in his ears, skull and sinus cavity, according to his Facebook page. On April 30, it was revealed Graham had acute kidney failure and dehydration and was battling organ failure. On Monday, his wife, Valerie, said doctors wanted to remove him from life support, but she refused.

The career of the ‘Superstar’

Graham had a brief stint in the Canadian Football League and was a prominent bodybuilder before getting into professional wrestling. He made his debut with the company, then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation, in 1975, and won three world titles throughout his 15-year career, before becoming a manager and commentator.

But Graham became one of the biggest stars in the company’s early history for what he did outside the ring. His charismatic persona, mixed with his brash talk during out-of-the-ring interviews, unique wardrobe and different colored facial hair made him a crowd favorite, and shifted the company towards making their talent “larger than life” characters. He was also famous for his tagline, “The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!”

Many WWE stars, including Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, have credited Graham for inspiring their careers.

“Graham was perhaps the single-most influential performer in WWE history whose interviews, fashion and physique inspired Hulk Hogan, Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura and Scott Steiner,” WWE said. “Just as WWE fans flocked to see ‘Superstar’ compete in the ring, so did they love to listen to him pontificate on the microphone, even if he was bad-mouthing the competitors they held dear.”

Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

WWE stars, legends pay tribute to Graham

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair thanked Graham for the influence he had on his career. Longtime WWE manager and former executive Paul Heyman said Graham left his mark on the company.

“After Billy Graham left his mark, Vincent Kennedy McMahon decided everyone would be a WWE Superstar. A most heartfelt RIP to the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!” Heyman said.

WWE Hall of Famer The Iron Sheik called Graham his “brother for life,” sharing a video of Graham praising him at an event.

“HE WAS THE CHAMPION AND MOST OVER MAN IN THE BUSINESS. HE ALWAYS SHOW ME THE RESPECT. I LOVE HIM I MISS HIM FOREVER,” he said.

The dramatic storylines, that can be compared to soap operas, drew people in and led them to throw their support behind their favourite stars.

So where are the big names of the WWE now? Here’s where these retired big-name wrestlers are today.

Razor Ramon

Scott Oliver Hall, best known as Razor Ramon by his fans, first started his wrestling career in the 1980’s but really hit it big in the 90’s after he joined up in the WCW and WWF. Lately he has been suffering from health issues including seizures, pneumonia, and low blood pressure.

Kane

Kane was a massively popular wrestler in the WWE, whose real name is Glenn Thomas Jacobs. Anyone who is a fan of the WWE is a fan of his. In addition to wrestling, he has also pursued acting, business, and even politics. He is the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.

Rey Mysterio

Oscar Gutierrez, who is best known as Rey Mysterio, made a name for himself and his Lucha Libre mask in the wrestling circuit in the 90’s and 2000s. He is still wrestling professionally today with the WWE SMackDown brand.

The Undertaker

Anyone who has ever watched the WWE will certainly be very familiar with Mark William Calaway, better known as The Undertaker. He officially retired from the industry in June 2020, and documented his last stint in the game in a documentary called Undertaker: The Last Ride. He is a big investor in real estate and created the Zues Compton Claway Save the Animals Fund to help pay for lifesaving treatments for large dogs.

The Rock

Arguably the most successful wrestler of all time, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a household name. He first played college football at the University of Miami, then had a successful WWE career, and then went on to become a Hollywood star. Talk about success!

Hulk Hogan

Even those who are not fans of WWE wrestling are certainly familiar with Hulk Hogan. He was yet another wrestler who has managed to have crossover mainstream fame in addition to his successful wrestling career. He has become an actor, musician, and is best known by many for his reality show, Hogan Knows Best.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton is considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He is currently signed to the WWE Raw brand. In addition to wrestling, Orton has also acted, appearing in films like That’s What I Am, 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded, and TV show Shooter.

Triple H

Paul Michel Levesque, who is best known by his ring name Triple H, is a retired professional wrestler. He is also a business executive, working as the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development for the WWE. He is married to Stephanie McMahon, daughter of Vince McMahon.

Shawn Michaels

Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, who is better known for his ring name Shawn Michaels, is considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He made an appearance at The Untertaker’s retirement ceremony during the Survivor Series in November 2020.

Tugboat

Fred Ottman, best known as Tugboat or Typhoon was a member of the Natural Disasters group as well as any ally of fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan. After his wrestling career he pursued a job as a safety manager and is also a little leagues coach.

Big Show

Big Show, who was also known as the Giant, is a wrestler and also an actor. He was originally introduced as “the song of Andre the Giant.” Paul Donald Wight II later purused acting and has starred in films like The Waterboy, Star Trek: Enterprise and  Jingle All the Way.

Stacy Keibler

Stacy Keibler is a profession wrestler, former cheerleader, actress, model, and dancer. She has really done it all. In addition to a successful WWE career, she starred in Dancing on the Stars, as well as shows How I Met Your Mother and Psych. She is now a mother of three.

Sunny

Tammy Lynn Sytch, who is known by her ring name Sunny, is a professional wrestling manager and announcer. After her successful wrestling career in the 90’s, where she became the first WWE Diva, she turned to managing. She has struggled with substance abuse and has also worked in the adult entertainment industry.

Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus is professional wrestler who is considered to be one of the greatest female performers and is one of the most popular superstars in the WWE. She is also a fitness model and opened up her own yoga studio called Stratusphere.

Sable

Rena Marlette Lesnar had an iconic career as professional wrestling Sable. She later went on to pose for Playboy magazine and starred in TV shows and films like Pacific Blue and Corky Romano.

Ric Flair

Ric Flair is a professional wrestler who is signed with the WWE on a legend’s contract and is considered by many to be the greatest wrestler of all time. After leaving the WWE for Total Nonstop Action Wresling in 2010, he returned to the WWE in 2012 where he still participates to this day.

Jacqueline

Jacqueline Delois Moore is one of just three female wrestlers who managed to reach the title of Cruiserweight Champion. In addition to her successful wrestling career, she is a successful wrestling manager. She has worked on reality show Tough Enough where she was shown training wrestler Nidia and Maven

Batista

David Michael Bautista, who is better known as Batista is a retired professional wrestler who is also a former bodybuilder, martial artist. He is also a successful actor who has appeared in films like Riddick, SPectre, Blade Runner 2049, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise as well as the Avengers franchise.

Mark Henry

Mark Henry had a successful career as a powerlifter and weightlifter before he turned to wrestling. He won the WWE World Heavyweight Title in 2011. In 2016, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

The Coach

Jonathan Coachman, known as The Coach, had a successful wrestling career with the WWE but really began to shine when he became an interviewer. He currently is signed with the WWE as a pre-show host for pay-per-views and also the Raw franchise.

A video of a pastor allegedly “wrestling” with one of his possessed church members in a deliverance encounter has gone viral social media.

In the video, the pastor is seen carrying the church member on his shoulder and throwing him off to the ground in an attempt to exorcise him.

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Some concerned folks on social media have advised the allegedly possessed man to visit a hospital because he could be bleeding internally the wrestling-styled deliverance session.

Interestingly, a junior pastor at the church patted the pastor on the back with accolades such as “Lord Heavy Weight Champion of the Most High” at the same time cautioning the congregation to avoid “practicing their pastors wrestling style” at home.

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“This is the power house… the commander of heaven battalions. This is dangerous. Don’t practice this at home. This is fearful or fearless by the power of the holy ghost…” the junior pastor chanted.