The wrestling world tragically lost Windham ‘Bray Wyatt’ Rotunda in August 2023, who died at the young age of 36 years old. Speaking at Monopoly Events’ For The Love of Wrestling convention in the UK, Jake Roberts, who many saw a lot of in the Bray Wyatt character, reflected on Rotunda’s passing.
“What a loss, just an incredible loss. I loved it, I loved everything that he did. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to do next. God man, that one hurt. That one hurts.”
Roberts’ comments echo the feelings of many in the wrestling world. After Rotunda’s passing, WWE and promotions Rotunda had never worked for paid tribute to the former World Champion. WWE would also share that proceeds from Bray Wyatt merch would go to support his widow JoJo Offerman and Windham’s four children.
As we approach the two-year anniversary of his passing, the Bray Wyatt character remains in the hearts of fans and Hall of Famers alike. Though fans will never have the chance to see him compete, the legacy left by Windham Rotunda can never be taken away.
For decades, The Undertaker played a key role in WWE both as an on-screen performer and as a backstage figure. Though his career in the ring is a thing of the past, the WWE Hall of Famer continues to influence wrestlers throughout WWE.
In 2015, Bray Wyatt feuded with The Undertaker in a clash of two of WWE’s darkest characters. In a video hyping up WWE LFG, Wyatt reflected on The Undertaker’s teaching nature in footage from before the passing of Windham Rotunda.
“He teaches everyone, everything. That’s just how powerful he is here. To say I learned one thing from him is an understatement.”
Wyatt was not the only name who had praise for the Undertaker in the video. WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque highlighted the importance of talent like the Phenom to “pass on their knowledge,” adding that it is key to the “survival of the business.” John Cena feuded with The Undertaker in 2003 and the pair would share the ring several in the subsequent years. A WWE icon in his own right, Cena described The Undertaker as “our never-ending, ass-kicking, undead phenomenon.”
Bray Wyatt tragically passed in August 2023, and new footage of the former World Champion is a rarity for fans to witness. As this video shows, Wyatt was among the many WWE Superstars who benefitted greatly from the work of The Undertaker.
Braun Strowman shared a special moment with the sons of Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt after this week’s episode of SmackDown went off air.
December 26 was the 4th anniversary of the former Luke Haprer’s untimely passing. WWE had invited Amanda Huber & their kids as well as Jojo Offerman & her son to the latest WWE TV event.
Throughout the night many WWE stars greeted both the families during their segments. This included Natalya and Cody Rhodes who gave a shoutout to Brodie Jr. as his friend during his promo at the end of SmackDown.
Strowman and Jey Uso came out after the show to save Sami Zayn from a beatdown from the New Bloodline. After taking out Solo and his cousins, the Monster Among Men invited both Brodie and Bray’s kids into the ring for a heart-touching moment:
Before this, the main event segment of SmackDown saw The American Nightmare confronting his former friend Kevin Owens after the latter brutally attacked him at the end of Saturday Night’s Main Event and stole the Winged Eagle title belt.
Kevin was demanding a rematch for the Undisputed title where a referee couldn’t screw him over. After an exchange of words, Rhodes proposed a ladder match which Nick Aldis made official for Royal Rumble.
Windham “Bray Wyatt” Rotunda may no longer be with us, but the late wrestler’s creative influence remains a significant presence on WWE programming. Earlier this year, WWE introduced the Wyatt Sicks, a macabre faction led by Uncle Howdy, whose character has clear ties to the three-time World Champion.
Behind Uncle Howdy’s mask is Bo Dallas, the real-life brother of Rotunda. Speaking to Dead Meat this week, Dallas revealed that the Wyatt Sicks faction draws heavily from his brother’s innovative ideas.
“Every one of our ideas up to this point has been connected to one of Windham’s original ideas,” Dallas shared. “All those characters came out of Windham’s mind.”
Dallas further highlighted Rotunda’s inspiration from the indie horror film A House That October Built. The film features a killer wearing a creepy doll-like mask, which Rotunda used as the basis for Sister Abigail, portrayed by Nikki Cross.
“He was obsessed with that mask for years and had all these ideas that he was eventually going to incorporate,” Dallas recalled.
Though Windham Rotunda has tragically passed away, his creative legacy and his love for wrestling and horror continue to resonate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the Wyatt Sicks, who remains a force to be reckoned with on Monday Night Raw.
WWE’s Wyatt Sicks faction was built by none other than the late Bray Wyatt.
The faction, which first arrived in the scene back in June, is lead by Uncle Howdy, portrayed by Wyatt’s younger brother, Taylor Rotunda (formerly known as Bo Dallas).
Each the four other members’ characters are based on puppets from the Firefly Funhouse universe: Abby the Witch (Nikki Cross), Ramblin’ Rabbit (Erick Rowan), Mercy the Buzzard (Dexter Lumis) and Huskus the Pig Boy (Joe Gacy).
The Waytt Sicks’ connections to Bray Wyatt are apparent, but Bo Dallas has revealed his brother’s influence on the group is even greater than fans knew.
“Everything that’s going on up to this date and then going forward, if it’s not Windham’s idea, it has a piece of Windham’s idea in it”
– Bo Dallas to USA Today
Bray Wyatt’s proverbial finger-prints extend beyond the ‘creative’ elements we’ve seen thus far. The man behind the Uncle Howdy mask says Bray “hand picked” each member, for reasons that he’s not even fully aware of.
“He wanted to work with them,” he said. “He hand picked them for reasons almost unknown to me. Like he just saw something and felt something in them.”
Bray Wyatt built the Wyatt Sicks before he passed away
In December 2020, Brodie Lee passed away in a tragic loss to the wrestling community, leaving his wife Amanda and their son Brodie Lee. Jr. Less than three years later, the wrestling world lost Windham ‘Bray Wyatt’ Rotunda, a father of four children and fiance of former WWE broadcaster JoJo Offerman.
During his first run with WWE, CM Punk worked with both men and his feud with the Wyatts was one of his final angles before leaving in January 2014. During an appearance on No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Punk spoke about the tragic pattern of professional wrestlers dying young.
“I feel wrestling is notorious for that, right? Like, we are constantly losing wrestlers and it always seems to be way too early.”
Punk added that the passing of Bray and Brodie was especially difficult, given that they were fathers and found their deaths to be wholly unfair.
“I think Bray and Brodie were the two ones because they’re so young, and they got little babies, and it’s just like one of those things that it just stings. Just talking about it now, it still stings, and it’s truly like unfair.”
At Extreme Rules 2022, Bray Wyatt made his return to WWE, the culmination of the much-acclaimed ‘White Rabbit’ series of cryptic messages. Not long after, the WWE Universe was introduced to the enigmatic Uncle Howdy, as played by Wyatt’s real-life brother Bo Dallas, but there was reportedly another person planned to be introduced.
Like Wyatt and Dallas, Eric Young returned to WWE in late 2022 after being cut from the company in April 2020. Speaking to Chris Van Vliet of Insight, the former Sanity member shared what WWE had intended for him.
“The original idea was me, Bray, and Bo as a trio. That’s what was told to me from Hunter basically. Obviously, I’m gonna jump at that, I’m friends with both of those guys. Creatively, it would’ve been just an unbelievable opportunity.
“Working there, working on the main roster, wrestling all over the world with two guys that I get along with well. Obviously, a huge part of the show at that point, The Fiend and Bray was one of the most popular things at that time.”
Tragically, Wyatt’s return to WWE was cut short as he was pulled from programming in early 2023 due to health issues and passed away aged 36 in August. Young would part ways with WWE in 2023, having never returned to programming. On the podcast, Young shared that he departed WWE as he refused to work under Vince McMahon, who had strong-armed his way back into the company in January.
While plans for Wyatt, Howdy, and Young never made it to TV, the Wyatt Sicks, as led by Uncle Howdy, serves as a tribute to the late wrestler and as a formidable quintet on Monday Night Raw. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from the Wyatt Sicks and the work of Uncle Howdy.
The WWE universe has been captivated by the enigmatic and eerie presence of The Wyatt Sicks, a stable that continues the legacy of Bray Wyatt. This article delves into the timeline, key members, and the intricate lore surrounding this faction.
Formation of The Wyatt Sicks
The roots of The Wyatt Sicks (stylized as Wyatt Sick6) trace back to the return of Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) to WWE at Extreme Rules in October 2022.
Wyatt’s comeback was marked by the introduction of a mysterious character, Uncle Howdy, portrayed by Bray’s real-life brother, Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda).
Uncle Howdy quickly became a central figure in Wyatt’s storylines, especially in the feud between Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair.
The Genesis
The faction’s official formation occurred on June 17, 2024, following Bray Wyatt’s tragic death in August 2023.
Bo Dallas, taking on the Uncle Howdy persona, returned from hiatus to lead the new stable. The Wyatt Sicks made a chilling debut with members Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross, each representing twisted versions of characters from Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse.
Key Members and Their Roles
Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy
Bo Dallas, under the guise of Uncle Howdy, serves as the leader of The Wyatt Sicks. Following Bray Wyatt’s death, Dallas’s character evolved, embracing his real-life identity, Taylor Rotunda, to honor his brother’s legacy.
Uncle Howdy is a menacing presence, reminiscent of Bray’s cryptic and unsettling persona.
Erick Rowan
Erick Rowan, a longtime ally of Bray Wyatt, returned to WWE as part of The Wyatt Sicks faction.
He embodies the character Rambling Rabbit from the Firefly Funhouse, adding a layer of dark humor and unpredictability to the group.
Dexter Lumis
Dexter Lumis portrays Mercy the Buzzard, another Firefly Funhouse character.
Lumis’ inclusion brings an eerie, silent menace to the faction, complementing the unstable dynamics of the group.
Joe Gacy
Joe Gacy takes on the role of Huskus the Pig Boy, a character symbolizing Bray Wyatt’s inner demons and struggles.
Gacy’s portrayal adds depth to the faction’s narrative, highlighting themes of redemption and inner conflict.
Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross plays Abby the Witch, bringing a sinister and chaotic energy to The Wyatt Sicks. Her character’s involvement underscores the group’s supernatural and macabre elements.
The Lore and Storylines
Bray Wyatt’s Vision
Bray Wyatt’s return to WWE in 2022 hinted at the formation of a new faction, initially rumored to be called the Wyatt 6.
This group was envisioned to bring to life the twisted characters from the Firefly Funhouse. Despite his untimely death, Bray’s vision lived on through Uncle Howdy and The Wyatt Sicks.
The Nightbird ARG
At the start of 2024, WWE launched an alternate reality game (ARG) dubbed “Nightbird.” This ARG featured vignettes and cryptic messages that teased Uncle Howdy’s return.
The interactive elements, including QR codes and social media takeovers, built anticipation for The Wyatt Sicks’ debut.
The Debut
The Wyatt Sicks made their debut on the June 17, 2024, episode of Raw. The segment featured eerie visuals reminiscent of Bray Wyatt’s iconic entrances.
Nikki Cross’s dramatic reveal, followed by the group’s attack on WWE personnel, set the stage for Uncle Howdy’s proclamation: “We’re here.”
Continuing the Legacy
On the June 24, 2024, episode of Raw, Bo Dallas appeared in a poignant segment where he, as Uncle Howdy, interviewed himself as Taylor Rotunda. This segment paid tribute to Bray Wyatt, blending reality with kayfabe and solidifying The Wyatt Sicks’ place in WWE lore.
Uncle Howdy Finally Wrestles
Uncle Howdy is scheduled to wrestle his first match on WWE RAW on Monday, August 26th 2024. The new leader of the Wyatt Sicks will be taking on Chad Gable.
Exactly one year ago today, the world lost one of its most creative and vibrant beings in Windham Rotunda, better known to the wrestling industry as Bray Wyatt. Wyatt left an unforgettable mark on the WWE Universe in a career that spanned just over a decade. A former three-time World Champion, an accurate measure of success came from his unmatched storytelling abilities.
Today’s date brings up strong emotions for fans, colleagues, and loved ones. While we mourn, it’s also a chance to celebrate Wyatt for his contributions to professional wrestling and remember him as the friend, husband, brother, and father he was. Wyatt’s widow, Jojo Offerman, perfectly summed up this sentiment in a lengthy, heartfelt tribute to her late husband on Instagram.
“…Today is a reminder of the worst day of my life, but also a reminder to never take anything for granted. Today, like everyday, I remember you Windham, and all that you were. We miss you and we love you and life will never be the same without you…I love you, forever.
An innovator of the highest caliber, Wyatt created one of the most enthralling and authentic supernatural characters in wrestling history, with his only comparables being names like The Undertaker.
From the original Wyatt Family to The Fiend to his final run alongside Uncle Howdy, WWE fans had the privilege to watch a modern-day genus create immersive and layered stories inside and outside the ring.
Wyatt’s vision and passion were masterfully painted into this world like a rich tapestry, like an artist with an isle. As the man said, he strived to be “The color red in a world of black and white.”
Many others have shared their thoughts about Bray Wyatt on the anniversary of his passing. This includes former WWE superstars Matt Hardy and Top Dolla, as well as current RAW General Manager Adam Pearce:
It’s been a year exactly since we lost a great man, an incredible father & one of the most creative minds ever in wrestling, Windham Rotunda. I miss you & love you, brother. Rest in Power, my compeer. ?? pic.twitter.com/8bpQmZLDJV
Erick Rowan delivered a passionate promo during this week’s Raw that blended the Wyatt Sicks angle with his real-life feelings of losing Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt.
Lee passed away in December 2020 and Rowan appeared at AEW’s tribute show for the former TNT Champion. Less than three years later, Rowan appeared at WWE’s tribute show for Bray Wyatt after the former Universal Champion passed away at the age of 36.
As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the Wyatt Sicks delivered a VHS which was played during this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. In the video, Rowan was seen being asked by an off-camera Uncle Howdy how he has been.
“I’m not gonna lie. The last few years have been very, very hard. You know I used to have a family. We were unstoppable, inseparable, always had each other’s backs, and then one day, the whole world changed. I lost a brother — the person in the world who believed in me more than anyone else — just gone.”
Rowan added that after Brodie’s passing, he tried to carry on and keep moving, feeling he had no other alternative.
“But just when I thought I had everything going, my other brother, he’s gone too.”
Rowan then shifted his comments to the Wyatt Sicks program as he was handed his sheep mask and asked how it makes him feel.
“It gives me hope… you reached out your hand [and] I accepted it… We’re gonna take our broken hearts and make some beautiful art.”
Blending the real-life tragedies Rowan has gone through and the Wyatt Sicks storyline is an interesting move by WWE and certainly gives the faction a sense of realism. Outside of Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, nobody in the faction was closer to Bray than Erick Rowan, and his open testimony this week shows just how deeply both Wyatt and Lee affected the Wyatt Sicks member.
On the July 15, 2019, edition of Monday Night Raw, the WWE Universe was introduced to one of the company’s most creepy yet captivating characters. Just over an hour into the show, Finn Balor defeated Samoa Joe, but the night was going to get much worse for the Irish Superstar. After the match, Balor would become the first victim of ‘The Fiend’ a demonic new side to Bray Wyatt that had been teased for months. Today, on the fifth anniversary of the character’s arrival, we look back on what brought the Fiend to TV.
Before The Fiend
In the six years on WWE’s main roster before the arrival of The Fiend, Bray Wyatt had been one of the most consistently captivating Superstars. In 2016, Wyatt captured the SmackDown Tag Team Titles and followed up by becoming WWE Champion the following year.
More important though than titles, was how Wyatt was able to draw in a crowd with his mastery of character work. From John Cena to The Undertaker to Roman Reigns, it seemed nobody could escape Wyatt’s mind games as he played on potential weaknesses in some of WWE’s biggest stars. This work rightly earned Wyatt a ‘cult-like’ following who were eager to see what was next for him.
After vanishing from our screens in early 2019, Wyatt returned in April of that year with a character far different than what we’d seen. Gone was the Max Cady-inspired swamp-dweller, now replaced with an excitable sweater-donned Bray who looked like more like Mr. Rogers than an ‘Eater of Worlds.’
Introducing the WWE Universe to the Firefly Fun House was a brilliant stroke by Wyatt as it added some much-appreciated lore to a character fans had already learned so much (and yet not enough) about. The idea of a children’s presenter with a twisted side proved especially chilling for any parents watching and delivered a sense of dread never before seen in WWE.
The Fiend Arrives
In the episodes of the Firefly Fun House, the jovial Wyatt teased that somebody was coming and that he wouldn’t be able to stop them. That force proved to be the Fiend who from the moment fans saw him, captivated audiences. With a striking design crafted by horror effects staple Jason Baker, the Fiend’s chilling look was another success story to Bray’s latest creation.
The Fiend was able to handle himself in the ring, as seen with his two reigns as WWE Universal Champion, but the character’s best work arguably came outside the squared circle. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE to think outside the box without crowds, and Wyatt would again show his creative chops in the cinematic Firefly Fun House match. The WrestleMania 36 showdown with John Cena saw both participants craft a rich story that saw The Fiend best the man he failed to defeat at the event six years earlier.
In August 2023, Bray Wyatt passed away at the tragically young age of 36 and WWE has, for all intents and purposes, retired The Fiend character. Nevertheless, the creative vision of Windham Rotunda can still be felt today with the recently introduced Wyatt Sicks. Like all great creative minds, Rotunda’s legacy has surpassed his own mortal life, and the WWE Universe will always appreciate (and fear) The Fiend.
LA Knight had a difficult time delivering a eulogy to the late Bray Wyatt but was able to work off his experience working and remembering Paul Bearer.
Following the passing of Bray Wyatt in August 2023, Knight appeared on SmackDown and spoke openly about his respect for the three-time WWE World Champion. The choice of Knight to give this promo was no accident as the Megastar had been Wyatt’s final opponent.
This was not Knight’s first time delivering an emotional eulogy to a name associated in wrestling. Following the passing of Paul Bearer in 2013, Knight, who had been managed by the macabre manager outside WWE, gave a touching tribute to the Hall of Famer. Speaking to Adrian Hernandez this week, Knight acknowledged how his first tribute prepared him for the second.
“Yeah [it was very difficult] sure. I mean, I had to do something similar to that for Percy Pringle, William Moody, most people probably know him as Paul Bearer, about eleven years ago. So I’d kind of drawn on that in a certain way where it was like I needed to go out and talk about him while also keeping the business moving and not disrespecting at the same time.”
LA Knight on his Bray Wyatt tribute.
LA Knight on if paying tribute to Bray Wyatt on Smackdown was the most difficult thing he's done in his career + will he tag with @jalenbrunson1? pic.twitter.com/MjVKnL8Jqf
Knight, in his own words, had a ‘turning point’ moment with his feud with Bray Wyatt as this angle would see the Megastar rise to become one of WWE’s most popular Superstars. Many fans believe Knight will one day join Wyatt in the annals of WWE Champions and the veteran will never forget the impact that the late Superstar has had on his career.
WWE fans have gotten used to the QR Code teases at this point, when even Michael Cole referring to them as “those damn QR Codes,” and now whoever is behind this has taken over WWE’s official website.
Uncle Howdy’s influence is spreading across WWE. His presence has been felt in 2K24, TV shows with QR codes, and the company’s Twitch stream. Recently, WWE.com was hacked, displaying a message that seems connected to the enigmatic figure.
The message tells a story about value, explaining that value isn’t tied to utilization. Even if something is crumpled and ignored, it retains its worth. This concept extends to people, who often feel devalued due to others’ ignorance. The message admits to having once allowed others’ expectations to determine self-worth but emphasizes that understanding one’s true purpose can lead to liberation from such negativity.
It conveys that the writer, identifying with everyone and no one, found freedom by rejecting others’ preconceived ideas and lies. This realization allowed them to help others see the truth. The message ends with a call for redemption, stating that the past must be destroyed, and warning that a “massacre is coming.”
Uncle Howdy took over
A massacre is coming…
Full Text:
hello. hello. I’d like to tell you a story.?A story about value.?We often equate value with utilization.?That is not the case.?If a piece of currency is crumpled, ignored, and tossed to the side, does it lose its… pic.twitter.com/AdHMMzZ5hd
During WWE SmackDown this week, a QR code went to a link on WWE’s website, which included video links to a variety of different messages from Uncle Howdy, most of which have already appeared throughout his takeover of WWE programming on various platforms.
The first tease of this new faction appeared during the closing moments of the Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal documentary. The idea being shared at the time was that Wyatt’s creative legacy may live on, as someone else carries the torch.
Something is coming, and it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are expected to join the new faction linked to Uncle Howdy, forming a new iteration of the Wyatt Family.
Late WWE star Bray Wyatt (real name Windham Rotunda) is no longer with us but JoJo Offerman is still trying to feel the former’s presence in her life.
Bray Wyatt was engaged to JoJo Offerman before he tragically passed away at the age of 36 on August 24 last year. The couple has two kids. Taking to her Instagram story section, JoJo posted an emotional note, revealing that a moth visited her and landed on her glass and then on her hand before flying away. She believes that it was a sign from Wyatt and he was greeting her. Her caption read:
“This beautiful moth visited me tonight while having a glass of wine and watching the kiddos play. It landed on only my glass despite other glasses being around and this same moth proceeded to land on my hand and sit there a moment before flying away. I see you Windham. I know it was you saying hello. I love you forever.”
Wyatt was dealing with health issues prior to his passing away. He was pulled from the WWE shows earlier that same year. He was involved in a feud with Bobby Lashley and a match between the two at WrestleMania 39 was in the pipeline. It is needless to mention that Wyatt has been one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time and his tragic death sent shockwaves through the industry.
Bray Wyatt’s legacy is immortal
Peacock released a documentary titled: ‘Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal’ which premiered on April 1. The documentary captured his remarkable career and was narrated by WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker (Mark Callaway). Recently, WWE star Braun Strowman also stated that he feels Bray Wyatt’s presence.
Wyatt had one of the most creative minds in the pro wrestling business. His creation of Uncle Howdy, played by his brother Bo Dallas has kept the fans anticipated. WWE is currently building the return of Uncle Howdy with a series of mystery QR codes. Even AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has said that he wishes to have a creative mind as deep as ‘The Eater of The Worlds.’
WWE continues to build toward a huge angle with QR codes. The trend continued during this week’s episode of RAW.
During Ilja Dragunov’s entrance before his match against Ricochet, another QR code appeared on the screen. Michael Cole, once again, pointed it out, saying, “there’s that damn QR code, again.”
The QR code this week led to a video featuring a woman who had been reported missing. In the video, she spoke about her captor, stating she was never in any harm and was happy that he “set her free.”
A lot of hype is growing about Uncle Howdy’s new stable, with Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, and Erick Rowan reportedly involved. Fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of this new faction.
The teases began at the end of the Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal documentary, suggesting someone might continue Wyatt’s legacy. With Bo Dallas taking on the Uncle Howdy character, Wyatt’s story may carry on in this way.
WWE has strategically placed these hints across various platforms, including their WWE 2K24 video game. We will continue to monitor for any new updates on this unfolding storyline.
The video uses several themes and motifs seen in previous QR code videos. These include the image of a raven and a reminder to “Remember Who You Are.” In the closing moments of the video, a figure can be seen removing a veil. Many believe this to be an incarnation of ‘Sister Abigail’ who was a fixture of Bray Wyatt’s lore for years.
11:19
The website’s URL also contains a connection to Bray Wyatt who tragically passed away in August 2023 at the age of 36. In 2019, fans noticed that clocks inside the Firefly Fun House with Wyatt himself ‘fixing’ Abby The Witch’s clock with a hammer so that it read 11:19
The URL for the site features 11-19, though it remains unclear what this is explicitly referencing. Some in 2019 believed the numbers referenced November 19, the date The Undertaker debuted for the WWE back in late 1990. Some felt it referenced the biblical verse Ezekiel 11:19 that speaks of God giving a new spirit in his followers.
Where Is This Going?
It is believed that all of these cryptic messages are building towards the return of Uncle Howdy as portrayed by Bo Dallas. The former WWE NXT Champion was rehired by WWE in 2022 and shared the screen with his brother Bray Wyatt before the latter was pulled from TV due to his health issues. Dallas is expected to return with a faction that will include Joe Gacy, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, and the recently rehired Erick Rowan.
Many have speculated that we are getting close to the big reveal behind this mystery. Thanks to the Twitch and WhatsApp takeovers, teases of what is to come have grown increasingly frequent in recent days. On WWE TV, it’s been teased that answers will be coming sooner rather than later.
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland hopes to one day have a creative mind for wrestling that matches that of the late Windham ‘Bray Wyatt’ Rotunda.
Rotunda died in August 2023 at the age of 36. He had been pulled from WWE programming earlier that same year due to health issues. Before then the three-time WWE World Champion had been feuding with Bobby Lashley and a match had been planned for WrestleMania 39 in SoFi Stadium.
Swerve Strickland on Bray Wyatt
Rotunda’s tragically young passing came less than a year after his return to WWE in October 2022. In the weeks before his return at the Extreme Rules PLE, WWE teased something with their popular ‘White Rabbit’ mystery. Speaking to Adrian Hernandez, Strickland reflected on the White Rabbit.
“It was small things and it was layered and sprinkled out… Bray was just patient with that and he was meticulous and he was calculated.”
The AEW World Champion admitted to being very impressed with the White Rabbit, and hopes he can have a similarly creative mind for the business.
“Everything that he did, it came from him. I was always appreciative of that. For me, I would hope to have such a deep mind like that.“
What’s To Come?
While Rotunda is no longer with us, the enigmatic White Rabbit mystery has been revitalized with the ongoing QR code mystery. It is believed that the series of clues is building to the return of Uncle Howdy, as played by Bo Dallas. The former NXT Champion is expected to return alongside a faction consisting of Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis.
As for Strickland, he will defend the AEW World Championship later today at Double or Nothing 2024. Strickland will defend the title against Christian Cage in the champion’s first title defense on pay-per-view.
WWE’s QR code mystery continued on the May 24, edition of SmackDown with fans being taken to a bizarre website full of unique clues.
During the entrance of WWE Tag Team Champions A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) a QR code flashed on the screen. This code takes fans to an archive website full of letters and poems. One poem reads:
I know it’s you.
On your way back home.
The hair shall light your path.
I will be waiting on the other side.
This hare could be about the ‘White Rabbit’ mystery of 2022. Similar to the ongoing QR code mystery, the White Rabbit would leave clues on WWE TV with fans left to decipher what it means. The White Rabbit mystery culminated with the return of Bray Wyatt at WWE Extreme Rules 2022. Another poem reads:
Do NOT lie to me.
Do NOT lie to yourself.
We’ve worn our maks long enough, brother.
Revel in what you are.
The phrase ‘Revel in what you are’ again suggests a link to Bray Wyatt, who used this phrase upon his 2022 return. The reference to masks and ‘brother’ will lead many to continue believing that this is all building towards the return of Uncle Howdy, as played by Wyatt’s brother Bo Dallas.
Bo Dallas is expected to return as Uncle Howdy.
The very retro-looking website has the title ‘Kintsugi.’ This is the traditional Japanese art form of repairing a broken bowl with gold. The idea behind Kintsugi is that something can become more beautiful because it has been broken rather than if nothing had changed.
Where Is This Going?
Howdy/Dallas is not expected to return alone to WWE TV. It is reported that a faction consisting of Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, the recently rehired Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross will also be in the faction. There’s no confirmed date as for when this faction will appear though with these clues growing more frequent over the past week, some feel it won’t be much longer until answers are revealed on WWE TV.
Jey Uso has revealed that JoJo Offerman sent him a text after watching his viral Backlash: France entrance featuring the Fireflies.
The ‘Yeeter of Worlds’ recently appeared on the Battleground podcast. He talked about things such as his match with brother Jimmy Uso at WrestleMania 40 and more.
During the interview, Jey was asked if the crowd participation in his entrance made him feel validated as a singles star. The former Bloodline member claimed that the most validated he felt was when Bray Wyatt’s widow JoJo Offerman sent him a message after the show:
“I think the most I was validated was (when) JoJo, Bray Wyatt’s wife, had texted me and said how emotional she was watching. She saw clips of it on YouTube and that let me know right there, ‘Alright, I’m gonna keep it.’ I hope it sticks with me, man. I never asked for it, I never…They did it and I just want to keep it with me now.”
The Fireflies were originally made famous by Bray Wyatt with his Cult Leader gimmick. He used to come out with a lantern during his entrance and the fans started to join in with the flashlights on their phones.
‘Main Event’ Jey Uso
Jey Uso also proclaimed that Backlash was probably his favorite moment in wrestling ever. To him, the arena looked like a wave of stars were falling in and that feeling would never be matched.
Reports suggest that WWE officials were happy with the reaction the former champion got during his entrance in Lyon, France.
The company plans to continue encouraging the fans to bring out the fireflies for him with dim lighting during Jey’s entrance. They also plan to highlight any main stream use of Uso’s theme song like we’ve seen.
Something is happening on WWE television. The glitches and QR codes continue, hinting at a new force on the way. These interruptions have spread across RAW, SmackDown and NXT. Now, even WWE’s digital programming is being affected.
During a stream on WWE’s Twitch channel, glitches appeared as Lilian Garcia introduced Kane to the ring. The disturbances caused static, and Garcia’s voice was manipulated to say “Wyatt.” As Kane made his way to the ring, the screen glitched again. A serene setting with an ominous chair in a corner was shown. The stationary shot remained unchanged, with no one else visible in the frame. The screen then flashed back to the old WWE program in progress. In the end, the takeover lasted about thirty minutes, with interruptions like this throughout that period of time.
UNCLE HOWDY HAS TOOK OVER WWE’S TWITCH ACCOUNT JUST NOW
At the end of the takeover, a woman was shown in the chair. She had a book and was asking the camera “what does this represent?” as she showed off something drawn on the page. The camera then flashed to a news article of a missing reporter.
WWE teased Bo Dallas’ return at the end of the “Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal” documentary, making it clear that something is coming. Fans have been analyzing the cryptic clues, waiting for what lies ahead.
Bo Dallas’ Upcoming Stable
Bo Dallas played Uncle Howdy during Bray Wyatt’s final run. Sadly, Windham Rotunda passed away, and we will never see what they had planned. Now a new chapter is beginning.
Four names are currently expected to be in the new faction. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are all slated to join the new Wyatt Family.
Each Superstar has previous experience in factions: Cross with Sanity, Gacy leading The Schism, Lumis as part of The Way, and Rowan as an original member of The Wyatt Family. It will be interesting to see how they fit into the picture once the new stable officially debuts on WWE television.
A very subtle reference to the Wyatt Family has been discovered not in the video from the latest QR code, but in the URL for the video itself.
Since the Raw after WrestleMania 40, the WWE Universe has been presented with a series of ‘glitches’ and QR codes which have led to videos with cryptic imagery. This week’s Raw proved to be no different with a video centered around a floppy disk teasing that something big is coming very soon.
Upon scanning this week’s QR code, fans were taken to a URL with a series of images with a cryptic message. It turns out that this URL was a clue in itself, as the link is wwe.com/121212. This is a reference to December 12, 2012, which was the night that Erick Rowan debuted as a member of the Wyatt Family on WWE NXT.
Given WWE’s efforts with these cryptic clues, as well as 2022’s White Rabbit, it’s hard to see this URL being a mere coincidence. The video also teases that May 16 will be an important date, so fans should get ready to learn more about plans for the new faction very soon.
Ryan Nemeth has revealed how Bray Wyatt was exceptionally kind to him during the latter’s second run with WWE’s development territory.
The AEW star recently had an interview with the Developmentally Speaking podcast. He talked about things such as his love for storytelling. Ryan revealed that his AEW contract features a clause that allows him to take off whatever time he needs for his outside projects without being punished for it.
Speaking about his time with rival promotion WWE, the Hollywood Hunk detailed his start with the company. He specifically remembered getting invited to a week-long tryout at FCW, after impressing John Laurinaitis:
“I remember how great to me everyone in that roster was. It was like such a welcoming group of people. In particular, someone at the time who went by the name Husky Harris was so great to me. He would go on to change his name to Bray Wyatt. I loved him. He was great.”
Everyone There Was So Great: Ryan Nemeth
Ryan Nemeth then told a story about the talent that would eventually become Bray Wyatt. He recalled how Wyatt was exceptionally kind to him during one of their interactions:
“I remember doing this really really long grueling endurance drill. It’ll be like one man in the middle and everyone else would switch out every two minutes. I was in there for 37 minutes straight maybe at one point.
But he as we’re locking up just goes ‘Just take it slow, breathe, don’t worry, relax.’ I thought ‘Man this is really nice; I am your competition basically and you can be a dick to me if you want.’ Everyone there was so great.”
The AEW star started his wrestling career with a run in OVW back in 2010. After his tryout with the company, he was offered a WWE development contract for FCW in 2011.
The Eater of Worlds returned to the brand around the same time after his Nexus run. He first adopted the character of hockey mask-wearing Axl Mulligan before developing the much-loved Bray Wyatt persona in 2012.
Jey’s entrance is always a spectacle as thousands of fans groove and ‘yeet’ to his entrance song. Well, Backlash PLE in Lyon, France was no different. However, it was a bit more special as the fans showered love on him with Bray Wyatt-esque ‘fireflies.’
Speaking with Cathy Kelley in a Raw Exclusive, the former Bloodline member said that witnessing the fireflies, he felt that Wyatt showed him love from heaven and it was a touching moment for him. He further said that he is “blessed” to have experienced it. He said:
“It was dope, though. Seeing all the fireflies came out, I got real emotional. Ain’t had much [time] to talk about it. But a lot of people were asking me what it was from my point of view. I just felt like Bray Wyatt was showing love to me.
That’s the first time I’ve seen the fireflies appear, I feel like, since he’s been gone. So I was really emotional seeing all of that. For that to happen to me, I was blessed with that.”
Jey Uso is eyeing to win KOTR
Things didn’t go in favor of ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso at WWE Backlash: France. In a high-intensity bout, he came pretty close to dethroning Damian Priest. However, ‘The Archer of Infamy’ successfully retained his title after his stablemates, JD McDonagh and Finn Balor assisted him.
Now, he’s got a new goal. On this week’s edition of Raw, Drew McIntyre was pulled from his first-round match against Finn Balor as he was not medically cleared to compete. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced that Jey Uso would replace ‘The Scottish Warrior.’
After a gruesome battle, Jey Uso emerged victorious and qualified for the next round where he will face the former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov.
A new Wyatt Family may be on the horizon, but when and who will exactly show up representing the renewed faction?
A lot of actual signs in the form of QR codes and trailers greatly indicate that Bo Dallas will be returning to WWE television, perhaps in the form of himself or the mysterious Uncle Howdy. However, a new report from PWInsider has a list of names rumored to join the late Bray Wyatt’s younger brother.
As of now, currently on tap to be in the new faction (whatever they may be called) are four other names. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy and Erick Rowan are all slated to be in the new Wyatt Family fold. All of those mentioned names have previous experience as faction members with Cross being apart of Sanity, Gacy leading The Schism, Dexter Lumis as a member of The Way and Rowan of course as an original member of The Wyatt Family.
The Codes And Rumors Surrounding Bo Dallas’ Return
WWE started a cryptic campaign in the weeks up to WrestleMania 40 with the first teaser of a Bo Dallas return being at the end of the Bray Wyatt documentary trailer. Ever since, QR codes have popped up for fans to scan and an ominous tune titled “Nightbird” has began playing before and during WWE live events.
The most recent reference was quite direct for Bo Dallas as a QR code appeared on the 5/3 episode of WWE SmackDown. The code directed fans to a Backlash trailer before turning into something creepy that had the quote ‘He opened his arms. Our pain became his. We were reborn. Because we BOlieved.’
Few WWE Superstars were closer to Wyatt than his Wyatt Family alum Braun Strowman. Speaking to Insight, Strowman reflected on still feeling Wyatt with him to this day.
“I see him all the time. It’s crazy, it really is crazy. I don’t know how spiritual anyone is, but I had a very deep connection with him. I see him, there’s things that remind me of him constantly. Every day there’s something and I can feel him. He’s still around.”
When asked about how the Wyatt Family changed his career, Strowman was quick to make clear that the group’s impact on him extended past the ring.
“It changed my entire life. I was this kid who was told I was never going to make it. Bullied. Fat kid growing up. And having a group of guys, three talented unbelievable human beings, take me under their wing and show me the ways through this crazy business. Words can’t really explain how grateful I am because I’m not where I am without those guys.”