History TearJerker / BrayWyatt

** The finale of that same ''[=SmackDown=]'' is the source of the page image. After LA Knight defeats [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Bálor]], the lights in the arena slowly turn off until all that's left is Bray's silhouette juxtaposed with firefly wings on the screen, an d his lantern left in the ring, lighting the way for his fireflies to follow into the fog.

--->'''Booker T:''' ''(in denial)'' Ah, man... Man man ''man''...

** The finale of that same ''[=SmackDown=]'' is the source of the page image. After LA Knight defeats [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Bálor]], the lights in the arena slowly turn off until all that's left is Bray's silhouette juxtaposed with firefly wings on the screen, with his lantern left in the ring, lighting the way for his fireflies to follow into the fog.

* At the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame, Bray's father, Barry Windham ends his speech wishing his son could've been on stage. In tribute, he raises a cellphone with its light on, one of many fireflies lighting Bray's path to the afterlife.

** Bonus sadness points for the one having to break the bad news to Triple H being Bray's own father, Mike Rotunda. One can only imagine how he must have felt to hear his son was gone.

* August 24th, 2023: ''The'' '''''extremely''''' ''unexpected death of Windham Rotunda.'' The man caught COVID-19 the previous year, and would suffer lasting heart problems that would culminate in a heart attack claiming his life just when it seemed he was finally on his way to return to the spotlight. And this came the '''day''' after Wrestling/TerryFunk's death too. His fellow wrestlers and fans around the world wasted no time in mourning the loss of one of the most brilliant minds in the industry.
** Wrestling/BookerT [[https://twitter.com/wrestlelamia/status/1694937896250220961?s=19 happened to be streaming his podcast with Brad Gilmore when the news broke]], with [[MoodWhiplash Brad interrupting their current discussion]] of [[ItMakesSenseInContext Terry Funk's decision to do a moonsault to break the news on-air.]] One can see in real time that Booker T is just so caught up in the moment of that memory as Brad's face goes from "What's going on?" to "Oh god..." in seconds. What this means is viewers ended up witnessing their reactions to Bray's premature death right as the news first hits them, and you can tell from their facial expressions and tones of voice that they're devastated.

** The finale of that same ''[=SmackDown=]'' is the source of the page image. After LA Knight defeats [[Wrestling/FergalDevitt Finn Balor]], the lights in the arena slowly turn off until all that's left is Bray's silhouette juxtaposed with firefly wings on the screen, with his lantern left in the ring, lighting the way for his fireflies to follow into the fog.

* The EmptyChairMemorial for Bray the following ''[=SmackDown=]'', where the entire arena is awash with "fireflies" and everyone singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". Wrestling/ErickRowan and Wrestling/BraunStrowman are also in attendance, already grieving [[Wrestling/LukeHarper another member]] of Wrestling/TheWyattFamily who left far too soon.

* Bray's first promo after returning to WWE in October of 2022 took a serious turn for the emotional, much to the surprise of just about everyone. Already on the verge of tears, he begins by telling the audience that he wants to speak as the real him, showing a side that he's never been able to before. He thanks his fans for never giving upon him, continuing to support him even at the lowest points of his life. He reflects upon the passing of two people close to him, Wrestling/LukeHarper, and his childhood friend in real life. He speaks about how the infamously poor booking of his past characters destroyed not only his own confidence as a performer but his faith in the merit of his creative ideas. But above all, he makes it clear that he missed putting on a show for the WWE Universe, and when the chants of "Thank You Bray!" start up, it's equally clear that the feeling was mutual. Of course, this being Bray Wyatt, [[MoodWhiplash things would take a VERY spooky turn towards the end.]] But it's safe to say that his fans wouldn't have it any other way.

* Bray's death was mourned by everyone in the world with both [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] and Wrestling/ImpactWrestling paying tribute to him at ''All-In'' and ''Emergence'' respectively despite Bray never worked for them before. Even other sport events paid their respects; during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham, ''Broken Out In Love'' was played during half-time.

* Bray's death was mourned in everyone in the world with both [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] and Wrestling/ImpactWrestling paying tribute to him at ''All-In'' and ''Emergence'' respectively despite Bray never worked for them before. Even other sport events pay their respect; during a Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham, ''Broken Out In Love'' was played during half-time.

** Wrestling/BookerT [[https://twitter.com/wrestlelamia/status/1694937896250220961?s=19 happened to be streaming his podcast with Brad Gilmore when the news broke]], with [[MoodWhiplash Brad interrupting their current discussion]] of Terry Funk's decision to do a moonsault to break the news on-air. What this means is viewers ended up witnessing their reactions to Bray's premature death right as the news first hits them, and you can tell from their facial expressions and tones of voice that they're devastated.

* The EmptyChairMemorial for Bray the following ''[=SmackDown=]'', where the entire arena is awash with "fireflies" and everyone singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". Wrestling/ErickRowan and Wrestling/BraunStrowman are also in attendance, already grieving another member of Wrestling/TheWyattFamily who left far too soon.

* Bray's first promo after returning to WWE in October of 2022 took a serious turn for the emotional, much to the surprise of just about everyone. Already on the verge of tears, he begins by telling the audience that he wants to speak as the real him, showing a side that he's never been able to before. He thanks his fans for never giving upon him, continuing to support him even at the lowest points of his life. He reflects upon the passing of two people close to him, Brodie Lee/Luke Harper, and his childhood friend in real life. He speaks about how the infamously poor booking of his past characters destroyed not only his own confidence as a performer but his faith in the merit of his creative ideas. But above all, he makes it clear that he missed putting on a show for the WWE Universe, and when the chants of "Thank You Bray!" start up, it's equally clear that the feeling was mutual. Of course, this being Bray Wyatt, [[MoodWhiplash things would take a VERY spooky turn towards the end.]] But it's safe to say that his fans wouldn't have it any other way.
* The Raw is XXX promo where he and Undertaker share a ring, to which Undertaker decides to pass on the legacy of the WrestlingMonster to Bray before his match with LA Knight at Royal Rumble 2023. Unfortunately, Bray would ''never'' be able to light that torch and show what he could do because...

* The EmptyChairMemorial for Bray the following ''[=SmackDown=]'', where the entire arena is awash with "fireflies" and everyone singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". Erick Rowan and Braun Strowman are also in attendance, already grieving another member of the Wyatt Family who left far too soon.
** The finale of that same ''[=SmackDown=]'' is the source of the page image. After LA Knight defeats Finn Balor, the lights in the arena slowly turn off until all that's left is Bray's silhouette juxtaposed with firefly wings on the screen, with his lantern left in the ring, lighting the way for his fireflies to follow into the fog.

** The finale of that same ''[=SmackDown=]'' is the source of the page image: Bray's silhouette juxtaposed with firefly wings, with his lantern left in the ring, lighting the way for his fireflies to follow. And to let him in.

* The EmptyChairMemorial for Bray the following ''[=SmackDown=]'', where the entire arena is awash with "fireflies" and everyone singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".

** Wrestling/BookerT [[https://twitter.com/wrestlelamia/status/1694937896250220961?s=19 happened to be streaming his podcast with Brad Gilmore when the news broke]], with Brad interrupting their current discussion of Terry Funk's decision to do a moonsault to break the news on-air. What this means is viewers ended up witnessing their reactions to Bray's premature death right as the news first hits them, and you can tell from their facial expressions and tones of voice that they're devastated.

--->'''Booker T:''' ''(in denial)'' Ah, man... Man man ''man''...

** Wrestling/BookerT [[https://twitter.com/wrestlelamia/status/1694937896250220961?s=19 happened to be streaming his podcast with Brad Gilmore when the news broke]], with Brad interrupting their current discussion to break the news on-air. What this means is viewers ended up witnessing their reactions to Bray's premature death right as the news first hits them, and you can tell from their facial expressions and tones of voice that they're devastated.
--->'''Booker T:''' Ah, man... Man man man...

** Bray's first promo after returning to WWE in October of 2022 took a serious turn for the emotional, much to the surprise of just about everyone. Already on the verge of tears, he begins by telling the audience that he wants to speak as the real him, showing a side that he's never been able to before. He thanks his fans for never giving upon him, continuing to support him even at the lowest points of his life. He reflects upon the passing of two people close to him, Brodie Lee/Luke Harper, and his childhood friend in real life. He speaks about how the infamously poor booking of his past characters destroyed not only his own confidence as a performer but his faith in the merit of his creative ideas. But above all, he makes it clear that he missed putting on a show for the WWE Universe, and when the chants of "Thank You Bray!" start up, it's equally clear that the feeling was mutual. Of course, this being Bray Wyatt, [[MoodWhiplash things would take a VERY spooky turn towards the end.]] But it's safe to say that his fans wouldn't have it any other way.
** August 24th, 2023: ''The'' '''''extremely''''' ''unexpected death of Windham Rotunda.'' The man caught COVID-19 the previous year, and would suffer lasting heart problems that would culminate in a heart attack claiming his life just when it seemed he was finally on his way to return to the spotlight. And this came the '''day''' after Wrestling/TerryFunk's death too. His fellow wrestlers and fans around the world wasted no time in mourning the loss of one of the most brilliant minds in the industry.
*** Wrestling/BookerT [[https://twitter.com/wrestlelamia/status/1694937896250220961?s=19 happened to be streaming his podcast with Brad Gilmore when the news broke]], with Brad interrupting their current discussion to break the news on-air. What this means is viewers ended up witnessing their reactions to Bray's premature death right as the news first hits them, and you can tell from their facial expressions and tones of voice that they're devastated.