During an emotional appearance on the Wrasslin Talk podcast, Mike Rotunda, also known as IRS in the wrestling world, opened up about the profound difficulty of coping with the death of his son, Windham, better known as Bray Wyatt.
Rotunda expressed the deep pain and longing the family experiences daily since Windham’s passing. Holding back tears, he shared the unique challenges of growing up in the wrestling business, where schedules are often packed with events and performances. He revealed that Windham and his fiancée, Jojo, were supposed to get married recently, adding another layer of heartache to the family’s grief.
Recalling the early days of Windham’s exposure to the wrestling world, Rotunda shared how he would bring him on the road from the tender age of six months. The absence of Windham, who brought joy and laughter to those around him, has left a void that is difficult for the family to comprehend. Rotunda expressed the pain of waking up each day and realizing that Windham is no longer there.
Despite the profound loss, Rotunda acknowledged WWE’s support in assisting the family during this challenging time. He revealed that WWE had put Windham on a legends contract, with all proceeds going to Windham’s four children, providing a financial lifeline for them.
Describing Windham as a “jolly fellow” with a contagious laugh, Rotunda painted a picture of a person who lit up not only their family but also the entire wrestling community. Many people, according to Rotunda, have shared stories of Windham’s kindness and generosity, recounting moments when he took time out to connect with fans and make lasting memories. The outpouring of support from people wearing Windham’s merchandise and sharing their stories has been a testament to the impact he had on those around him.
It’s been really hard. We miss him every day. [Gets choked up]. Growing up in the business, you always book stuff during the week because you’re going to be wrestling on the weekends and TV. Windham and Jojo were supposed to get married yesterday. We miss Windham horribly, every day. Windham was the first one and we would bring him on the road at six months old. They would come with me and stay on the road, wherever I was wrestling, and it’s so hard to wake up out of this nightmare and he’s still not there. I have to give WWE credit. They’ve done awesome helping our family out with a lot of different stuff. They put Windham on a legends contract and all the proceeds go to…Windham has four children. Luckily, we have them.
He was a jolly fellow. He loved to laugh, he was loud. He was always laughing and he lit up a room. He lit up the wrestling business. People come up to me and have a story with Windham, they say he took the time to sit there and bullshit with me for ten or fifteen minutes when he’s supposed to be signing autographs. So many people come up and support him by wearing his stuff, and they have a story about him. He was that kind of person. We miss him badly.
In conclusion, Rotunda expressed the family’s deep and ongoing grief, emphasizing how much they miss Windham’s presence and the profound loss that continues to be felt in the wrestling world and beyond.
