What Happened to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk? WWE Smackdown Pays Tribute to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk
by Reshwanth A | Updated Aug 29, 2023
What Happened to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk?
Bray Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, and Terry Funk were prominent wrestling figures who recently passed away. Wyatt, a three-time WWE world champion, died at 36, with reports suggesting a heart attack as the potential cause. His unexpected passing shocked the wrestling community given his character's allure and WWE achievements.
Meanwhile, Terry Funk, a WWE Hall of Famer, also left an indelible mark on wrestling. He died at 79, and though the exact cause remains unconfirmed, his legacy as a wrestling icon is undisputed. Both received WWE SmackDown tributes, evoking deep mourning from fans, wrestlers, and the broader community, a testament to their lasting impact.
WWE Smackdown Pays Tribute to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk
WWE SmackDown paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk, who recently passed away. In a touching gesture during Friday night's episode, broadcaster Michael Cole announced, "Earlier this week, we lost two beloved members of our WWE family, Hall of Famer Terry Funk and the one and only Bray Wyatt."
The show was dedicated to honoring their legacies and celebrating their lives, recognizing the significant impact they had on the wrestling world. Cole spoke of their passion, creativity, and spirit, which resonated deeply with fans and the wrestling community. The tribute served as a poignant reminder of their enduring influence and the mark they left on the sport.
Who was Bray Wyatt?
Windham Lawrence Rotunda (May 23, 1987 – August 24, 2023), known as Bray Wyatt, was a prominent American professional wrestler celebrated for his time in WWE. As a third-generation wrestler from a family with deep athletic roots, he emerged as a standout in high school wrestling and college football before entering WWE's developmental territory.
He gained fame as the leader of The Wyatt Family, earning multiple world championships including the WWE Championship and Universal Championship. His character evolved to include "The Fiend," a dark persona, and a gentler "good side." Despite being released by WWE in 2021, he made a surprise return in 2022 with a fresh persona. Tragically, his wrestling journey was cut short by COVID-19 in early 2023, leading to his untimely death due to a heart attack at age 36 in August 2023.
Birth name
Windham Lawrence Rotunda
Born
May 23, 1987
Birth Place
Brooksville, Florida, U.S.
Died
August 24, 2023
Age
36
Death Place
Clermont, Florida, U.S.
Cause of death
Heart attack
Who was Terry Funk?
Terrence Funk (June 30, 1944 – August 23, 2023) was a revered American professional wrestler with a career spanning over 50 years marked by multiple brief retirements. He gained recognition for pioneering the hardcore wrestling style that influenced the latter phase of his career, solidifying his status as one of the greatest wrestlers in history.
Across various major promotions like ECW, WCW, WWF, and NWA territories, Funk showcased his talent and held prestigious titles such as the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and ECW World Heavyweight Championship. He was a force in promotions like All Japan Pro Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling, and he made a significant impact as a promoter himself. His contributions were honored with inductions into the WWE, WCW, NWA, and Hardcore Halls of Fame.
Birth name
Terrence Funk
Born
June 30, 1944
Birth Place
Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
Died
August 23, 2023
Age
79
Death Place
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Bray Wyatt Early Life
Born on May 23, 1987, Windham Lawrence Rotunda came into the world in Brooksville, Florida. His sibling, Taylor, is also renowned in the wrestling world, recognized by his ring name Bo Dallas in WWE. Windham attended Hernando High School, where he clinched a state wrestling championship at an impressive 275 pounds (125 kg) in 2005, the same year he graduated. His sportsmanship extended to the football field, where he excelled as both a defensive tackle and guard.
Taking his talents to the College of the Sequoias, Windham spent two seasons there and gained recognition as a second-team All-American during his sophomore year as an offensive guard at this California junior college. His prowess earned him a football scholarship at Troy University, where he was a key player in college football for a span of two years.
Despite being only 27 credit hours away from completing his bachelor's degree, Windham chose to alter his path and pursue a career as a professional wrestler, leaving his studies at Troy University unfinished.
Terry Funk Early Life
On June 30, 1944, in Hammond, Indiana, Funk made his debut into the world. His parents, Dorothy (Culver) and Dory Funk, were deeply involved in the world of professional wrestling, with his father also serving as a wrestler and promoter.
After the conclusion of World War II, the family made the transition to Amarillo, Texas, becoming a central part of the professional wrestling scene there. Terry and his brother, who was professionally known as Dory Jr., spent their formative years steeped in the wrestling business. Upon completing high school, Funk took his education to West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University), where he engaged in both amateur wrestling and football.
What Happened to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk - FAQs
Bray Wyatt, whose real name was Windham Rotunda, and Terry Funk, both well-known professional wrestlers, recently passed away.
Bray Wyatt was 36 years old when he passed away, and Terry Funk was 79 years old.
The exact cause of Bray Wyatt's death has not been officially disclosed, but reports suggest that he suffered a heart attack. The specific cause of Terry Funk's death has not been confirmed.
Both wrestlers received tributes on WWE SmackDown, and their deaths have been deeply mourned by fans, fellow wrestlers, and the broader wrestling community. The impact of their contributions to the wrestling world has been widely acknowledged.
Bray Wyatt was a three-time WWE world champion and known for his captivating character transformations. Terry Funk was a WWE Hall of Famer with a career spanning over 50 years, known for pioneering the hardcore wrestling style and holding titles like the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and ECW World Heavyweight Championship.