Bray Wyatt Was Reportedly Dealing With “Physical Ailment” Before WWE Release

There has been more information published regarding Bray Wyatt and his release from WWE with a new report saying that the star was suffering from a medical issue prior to leaving the company.

Bray Wyatt was released by WWE on the 31st of July with many of his former colleagues sending out messages of public support after the news broke. Wyatt – whose real name is Windham Rotunda – had his last match in WWE back in April at WrestleMania 37. In the opening match of WrestleMania Sunday, The Fiend Bray Wyatt faced Randy Orton one on one. In the end, Orton came out on top when Wyatt’s ally Alexa Bliss turned on him, providing a distraction to allow Orton to pick up the victory.

The night after that match on Raw, Bray Wyatt had his final televised appearance with the company when he appeared in his Firefly Funhouse for the last time.

The Wrestling Observer noted that Wyatt was told his release was due to budget cuts, adding that the former WWE Champion had been preparing to make his return to action in August.

Fightful Select was then able to corroborate that information before adding more details. Head Of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis is said to have handled the call while also informing other WWE talents. The report added that the reason of budget cuts came as a shock with Wyatt among the top merchandise sellers in the company. In addition, the report notes that Wyatt’s name was brought up during a recent round of talent cuts but remained with WWE. The report closes by saying that Wyatt had become very protective over his character after recent creative decisions.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider gave his own update on the situation. Johnson confirmed that budget cuts were the reason given before revealing that one source has “pointed the finger squarely at WWE President Nick Khan and CFO Kristina Salen.” Adding that the pair are “obsessed” with the company not being one iota in the red. The report goes on to say that the relationship between Vince McMahon and Wyatt at times ran very “hot and cold.”

Now Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated has reported that Bray Wyatt being absent from television for months was to do with a medical reason although the former WWE Champion had been cleared to return to the ring before his release:

“Since WrestleMania 37 in April, Rotunda has been out with an undisclosed physical ailment, one that Sports Illustrated confirmed is not concussion-related. He was finally cleared last Thursday, then effectively fired on Saturday.”