This past week, the pro wrestling world lost one of its most beloved performers when Windham Rotunda, better known as Bray Wyatt, passed away at the age of 36. In the wake of his passing, several top names in the industry have shared their memories and condolences on social media. With his death coming at such a young age, it is easy to get lost thinking about the wide range of “what ifs” that could have manifested in the ring.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that one scenario bandied about in the WWE creative room and was eventually scrapped would have seen Rotunda, as Wyatt, taking on his brother Taylor, who portrays Uncle Howdy. Apparently, the idea of Wyatt and Howdy facing off at WWE WrestleMania 39 was the plan since Rotunda returned to the WWE fold, but plans changed as it was felt the Howdy character was not being pushed at a level deserving of the spot.
Once plans for a Wyatt and Howdy match were scrapped, the creative team pivoted toward building to a WrestleMania match between Wyatt and Bobby Lashley. There were a few teases for the program on TV, but, unfortunately, due to medical reasons Rotunda was dealing with outside the ring, that program was also scrapped. Lashley went on to win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WWE Smackdown before WrestleMania and appeared before the Mania crowd briefly to show it off.
It was also noted that Alexa Bliss was prepared to return to her demonic, Wyatt-possessed persona, but when Rotunda became ill, plans for her were abandoned as well. Once Bliss became pregnant, any other plans the company had for her were obviously scrapped.
WWE presented tributes to both Wyatt and Terry Funk on this past week’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown and Monday night’s Raw. Erick Redbeard, Rotunda’s former Wyatt Family stablemate, returned to the promotion to grieve alongside the rest of the WWE talent and production team members who were affected by the loss.