WWE star Bray Wyatt’s sudden death had the entire pro wrestling world heartbroken but it even reverberated outside the squared circle.
Actress Vanessa Hudgens posted a touching tribute to Wyatt, whose real name is Windham Rotunda, on her Instagram Stories on Thursday night.
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Bray Wyatt enters the arena to fight in the pitch black event during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on Jan. 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
“I’m truly heartbroken to hear this news,” Hudgens wrote. “I didn’t know him personally but mannnn I am such a fan. Bray Wyatt was a force. An iconic wrestler that brought so much joy to my dark side. I would get soooo giddy every time he was on. I’ve been waiting to see him back on Smack Down (sic) and I’m so sad that just won’t happen again. Heart. Broken.
“Deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Hudgens’ post echoed that of John Cena, The Rock, Ric Flair and countless others who were stunned with the news of Wyatt’s death.
Vanessa Hudgens attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque announced Wyatt’s death on Thursday night. The wrestler was 36.
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“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,” Levesque wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our thoughts are with his family and we ask that everyone respect their privacy at this time.”
The news of Wyatt’s death was a devastating revelation as a report surfaced earlier this month that the former champion was nearing a return to the ring after battling a “life-threatening illness.”
Bray Wyatt in action vs. Finn Balor during at match at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Chad Matthew Carlson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
WWE didn’t mention a cause of death.
On Friday night, WWE paid tribute to Wyatt at the start of “Friday Night SmackDown.”
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Wyatt had returned to the WWE in October 2022 and was in a couple of programs but was sidelined with health issues before WrestleMania 39.
