Over the weekend, Bray Wyatt was released from his WWE contract, sending shockwaves throughout the wrestling world. Wyatt had been absent from WWE for much of 2021 which has been rumored to be from a personal leave linked to the passing of his friend Mr. Brodie Lee in late 2020.
Brodie, known as Luke Harper in WWE, teamed with Wyatt as part of The Wyatt Family. The stable was formed in NXT in 2012 and debuted on Raw in 2013. Six members were part of the group throughout the years in various iterations of the family. With the patriarch now gone from WWE, these family moments are worth reminiscing.
10 "We're Here!" Raw Debut
After weeks of vignettes airing, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan made their first appearance on Raw on July 8, 2013, confronting Kane. With Kane in the ring, a video package began to play, flashing quick and creepy images of the Wyatts along with Bray reciting one of his unsettling promos before telling everyone, "We're here!"
The Wyatt Family received a great ovation during their WWE main roster debut. When the lights came back on, Harper and Rowan were in the ring attacking Kane, finishing the assault with the usage of the steel steps. Wyatt then kneeled down in front of Kane, laughing in joy at the fallen demon before him.
9 Recruiting Daniel Bryan
The Wyatts set their sight on Daniel Bryan and CM Punk starting in October 2013. The Wyatts lost a tag match to the two at Survivor Series but won a three-on-one handicap match against Bryan at TLC. Along the way, Bray began attempting to recruit Daniel to join his family.
Several attacks on Bryan in-and-out of the ring by the Wyatts throughout December seemed to wear out the "Yes! Movement" leader. On the December 30th edition of Raw, the company's most popular babyface succumbed and surrendered himself to the new and imposing villainous group, to which he was accepted following a Sister Abigail by Bray.
8 Match Aginst The Shield At Elimination Chamber 2014
Shortly into 2014, Daniel Bryan broke free of the Wyatts, and for a brief stint, the family took issue with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose of The Shield. Although the groups had it out with each other months prior, the teams were booked for a six-man tag match at Elimination Chamber 2014 that was worthy of WrestleMania the next month.
In what could be considered one of WWE's most underrated six-man tag matches ever, the fight was almost 23 minutes of non-stop action in an all-out war. The crowd was insanely hot the whole match, providing a booming "LET'S GO SHIELD!-LET'S GO WYATTS!" chant before the opening bell rang. If you have not seen it, you need to!
7 Live Entrance At WrestleMania 30
Although this was primarily for Bray Wyatt, The Wyatt Family received a live musical performance for their entrance at WrestleMania 30 for Bray's match against John Cena. Playing the group to the ring was Mark Crozer and The Rels, the artists who created Bray's old theme song "Broken Out In Love."
The performance was spot on, providing an excellent spooky ambiance for the trio. Each man was making their WrestleMania debut. A live theme performance is special and to have it for your first entrance on WWE's biggest stage is unique. The match itself was not favorable for Bray, but he had a great entrance.
6 "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"
The Raw before Extreme Rules 2014 featured a segment to hype Bray and John Cena's upcoming Cage Match at the PPV. With Cena standing in a steel cage surrounding the ring on Raw cutting a promo, the lights went out and a child's voice began to sing "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands."
When the lights came on, a children's choir was on the stage singing; Wyatt, Harper, and Rowan came out to join. Bray then began to lead the choir and walk them down to the ring, surrounding it. The lights went out again and when they came back, all the children had sheep masks on, providing a chilling image, making Wyatt laugh hysterically.
5 Spoiling Chris Jericho's Raw Return
For the June 30, 2014, episode of Raw, WWE promoted the return of a former WWE Champion who was a cross-platform mega superstar, turning out to be The Miz. After a few minutes, Miz was interrupted by a pyro, followed by Chris Jericho's theme and return. Miz began berating Jericho which earned him a Codebreaker from the former champion.
Jericho grabbed the mic and prepped the crowd for his former catchphrase, "Welcome to RAW IS J-" Wyatt images flashed across the camera before revealing the trio in the ring surrounding Chris. Albeit throwing the first punch, Chris was given an intense beating by the three, ending with a Sister Abigail from Bray to start a feud between the two.
4 Braun Strowman's Debut
Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose got the best of Bray and Harper at SummerSlam 2015 in a tag match but revenge was sought the following night on the August 24th episode of Raw. Side note, this edition of Raw also featured the return of The Dudley Boyz and Sting. In the Shield-Wyatts tag match, the end was near when Roman lined up Bray for the Spear.
Wyatt images then flashed across the screen, then revealing a monster standing on the ring apron wearing a black sheep mask. The angry giant glared at Reigns and climbed into the ring, this man was Braun Strowman. Roman and Ambrose tried to go after Braun, but The Wyatt Family's new "black sheep" dismantled the two with ease. The family had now grown.
3 Attacking The Undertaker At Hell In A Cell
Following Undertaker's 2015 "Match Of The Year" Hell In A Cell war against Brock Lesnar at the namesake's event, 'Taker stood in the ring bloodied in defeat and went to give the crowd a salute for the respect they gave him. As he went down on his knee, the lights went out and The Wyatt Family made their entrance.
The four surrounded 'Taker in the ring before entering and ambushing "The Deadman" with an unfair assault, ending with Bray mocking 'Taker's signature cutthroat taunt gesture. Bray then ordered Harper, Rowan, and Strowman to carry Undertaker out of the arena to end the show.
2 The Wyatt Family Attacks Roman Reigns & Brock Lesnar
A lot of hype and excitement went into the 2016 Royal Rumble match as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was on the line. Chris Jericho hosted an edition of his "Highlight Reel" segment on the January 18, 2016, episode of Raw, and all hell would break loose. Brock Lesnar entered the arena first followed by Roman Reigns. The League of Nations came down to the ring but would all be laid out by Lesnar who would then receive a Spear from Reigns.
The four Wyatt Family members then appeared and first took out Reigns, ending their assault with a Sister Abigail from Bray. The four then set their sights on Lesnar. Bray sicced his followers on Brock, starting with a big boot by Harper. Rowan then delivered a spin kick and Strowman unleashed a clothesline. The grand finale was a Sister Abigail to Brock from Bray.
1 AEW's Brodie Lee Celebration of Life
The wrestling world came to a devastating halt on December 26, 2020, when it was announced that AEW's Mr. Brodie Lee, Luke Harper had passed away. The Brodie Lee Celebration of Life was held on the December 30th edition of AEW Dynamite. During a 6-man tag match between The Inner Circle and The Dark Order and "Hangman" Adam Page, Brodie's former tag partner Erick Rowan (now Erick Redbeard) ran down the ramp to everyone's shock to even the odds for The Dark Order and Page.
After John Silver got the win for The Dark Order, Erick came in the ring, tears in his eyes, with a sign that read "Goodbye for now, my brother. See you down the road." In the night's closing segment a beautiful video package aired featuring the Tom Waits song "Ol' 55." In the video were photos of Brodie with Rowan and Bray Wyatt during their time in WWE. Fans and wrestlers alike were very appreciative of WWE and AEW's collaboration in the tribute, allowing everyone another look at the original Wyatt Family.