On March 13th rumours began to circulate suggesting that all was not well with Bray Wyatt behind the scenes in WWE.
Although speculation that he had fallen out with the company over creative was quickly dismissed, Wyatt is currently out of action. It was reported that this was due to a “physical issue,” with a later clarification stating that he was missing due to illness, although it wasn’t expected to be a problem long-term.
Wyatt’s WrestleMania status came to the fore after he missed WWE’s live event at Madison Square Garden on March 12th despite previously being advertised.
Wyatt hasn’t wrestled since February 26th when he defeated Knight at a live event in Rockford, Illinois with his most recent live on-screen appearance coming on the February 17th edition of SmackDown. This is despite him seemingly heading into a match at WrestleMania against Bobby Lashley in less than three weeks’ time. The star has retained a presence on TV taunting the All-Mighty in a series of pre-taped segments and vignettes.
The spooky former champion has only had one televised match since returning to WWE at Extreme Rules on October 8th. On that occasion, Wyatt defeated Night at the Royal Rumble in the first-ever Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has offered a fresh update and calmed concerns that the star may miss WrestleMania. Meltzer explained that Wyatt is expected back “very soon.”
“From what I understand, the match is still on for WrestleMania, and he should be back very soon.
That’s pretty much all I can say – there is something to it, but I’m not at liberty to discuss it. As far as I know, everything I’ve been told is that it’s not a creative issue or anything like that.”
Bray Wyatt Is A Genius
Former WWE Head Writer Vince Russo recently went to bat for Wyatt and defended him against some criticism that has begun to come his way. Russo said that Wyatt has been underutilised, praising him as a “genius.”
H/t to Wrestle Talk