Jason Baker worked closely with the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) on his WWE character, and he remembered how Wyatt wanted to delay his WWE return at Extreme Rules 2022 when Baker’s grandmother passed away.
In a recent interview with Metro UK, Baker revealed Wyatt offering him to push the return back from Extreme Rules 2022.
Wyatt died of a heart attack while asleep at his home on August 24, 2023, at the age of 36.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On Wyatt’s offer to delay the return: “I literally just took him to the airport and dropped him off – he was gonna go home for a few days and come back and then we were gonna finalize everything for the Extreme Rules return. An hour later after I dropped him off at the airport, I got the call from my mom saying that she’d passed away. Shot him a text saying, ‘Hey man, I got the call’. Without even skipping a beat, Windham goes, ‘Do you wanna push this back? It was like, ‘What?’ He was like, ‘Yeah man. look, I know how important your grandma was to you, and I can’t do this without you. If you can’t do it, I won’t hold that against you, and we can push it back.”
On how much the offer touched him: “It’s like dude, look – I know I don’t come from the wrestling world but I know how much of a unicorn second chances are in that industry, and I can’t ask you to do that. But that’s just how he was, he was a wonderful person. Past all the work and all the amazing things he did as a wrestler, he was just an amazing human, an amazing friend.”
On being the guy under the Fiend mask at Extreme Rules: “They were like, ‘We’re gonna have The Fiend as well, on top of all the puppets.’ We were gonna pick some random, whoever, and Windham goes, ‘No, Jason, you have to play The Fiend. You’re the only person I trust with it.’ I know what that means, to have a wrestler be like, ‘I trust you enough with this gimmick that I’ve created to go portray it for 30 seconds.’ That magnitude was definitely not lost on me.”
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The late Bray Wyatt, also known as Windham Rotunda, was a beloved figure in the world of professional wrestling. Known for his unique character and captivating performances, Wyatt left a lasting impact on both fans and colleagues. In a recent interview with Jason Baker, who worked closely with Wyatt on his WWE character, some touching stories were shared about their time together.
One particular anecdote that stood out was Wyatt’s offer to delay his WWE return at Extreme Rules 2022 when Baker’s grandmother passed away. According to Baker, he had just dropped Wyatt off at the airport and received a call from his mother informing him of his grandmother’s passing. In a surprising and heartfelt gesture, Wyatt immediately reached out to Baker and offered to push back his return, understanding the importance of family and grieving.
Baker expressed his gratitude and admiration for Wyatt’s kindness, acknowledging that second chances are rare in the wrestling industry. He described Wyatt as not only an incredible wrestler but also an amazing human being and friend. This story highlights the genuine and compassionate nature of Wyatt, showing that he valued personal connections and prioritized the well-being of those around him.
Another noteworthy detail from the interview was Baker’s involvement in portraying The Fiend, one of Wyatt’s iconic characters, at Extreme Rules. When it was decided that The Fiend would make an appearance alongside other puppets, Wyatt insisted that Baker take on the role. This act of trust meant a great deal to Baker, as it demonstrated the faith Wyatt had in him to bring the character to life. It showcased the strong bond and mutual respect between the two individuals.
Bray Wyatt’s untimely death on August 24, 2023, at the age of 36 shocked and saddened the wrestling community. His passing left a void in the industry, as he was not only a talented performer but also a creative force behind his characters. Fans and colleagues continue to remember him for his contributions and the impact he made during his career.
In conclusion, the interview with Jason Baker provided insight into the compassionate and caring nature of Bray Wyatt. His willingness to prioritize personal matters over his own professional commitments and his trust in those he worked with showcased his character both inside and outside the wrestling ring. Wyatt’s legacy will undoubtedly live on, as fans and colleagues cherish the memories and stories shared about him.