Brooksville, August 25, 2023 - Making his debut through a vignette on the May 27, 2013 episode of "Monday Night Raw," Bray Wyatt had been a pivotal figure in WWE for close to a decade. With wrestling in his blood as a third-generation pro wrestler, being the grandson of Blackjack Mulligan and the son of Mike "I.R.S." Rotunda, Bray's upbringing surely played a role in fueling the inventiveness he showcased in many storylines and matches.

His distinctive personas provided a refreshing contrast to the typical villainous characters seen on WWE broadcasts. Whether portraying a bayou cult leader as the head of the Wyatt Family or the recent amalgamation of Firefly Funhouse host and the formidable alter ego, The Fiend, Bray's versatility stands out.

Bray's recent reentry into WWE's realm, coupled with the enigmatic presence of Uncle Howdy, prompted a reflection on some of Wyatt's most unforgettable matches. These encounters greatly deviate from the norm in professional wrestling. Not all of them are etched in memory due to extraordinary wrestling maneuvers—in fact, one is particularly notable for the scarcity of wrestling within it.

This particular match stood out as one of the finest in the decade, showcasing the skills of all six participants. Although The Shield had a stronger foothold in the WWE landscape at that point, the victory of the Wyatt Family carried more weight due to their relative newcomer status. Bray Wyatt's individual performance was particularly remarkable as he secured the win for his team, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The actual match had more of a theatrical quality, occurring within the empty arena of WrestleMania 36. WWE took advantage of this setup by crafting a cinematic experience that delved into Cena's history and even presented alternate scenarios. The match surprisingly carried emotional weight, with Bray allowing Cena, in his "Doctor of Thuganomics" persona, to deliver some pretty cutting verbal attacks. This was all in service of the narrative they aimed to tell. While the match concluded with some physicality, as the Fiend made an appearance and executed a Mandible Claw and Sister Abigail to secure a pinfall, the count was conducted by Funhouse Bray himself. Looking back on it today, the Firefly Funhouse match remains an intriguing departure from the typical wrestling bout and likely stands as one of the most unforgettable (albeit divisive) WrestleMania performances in history.

This bout marked the beginning of the feud between Bray Wyatt and Finn Balor. Samoa Joe emerged as the eventual victor, earning his chance to challenge Brock for the title. However, each participant left their mark in this encounter. Wyatt demonstrated that he belonged to the same level as the other key figures on Raw.

The match itself proved to be engaging, with Wyatt both taking and dishing out substantial offense. Bryan's skillful portrayal of Wyatt's moves added to the brutality of Bray's attacks – notably, the forceful lariat executed at the ring's edge was particularly impactful. The ending was a sight to behold: Wyatt adeptly caught Bryan mid-air during a dive outside the ring, transforming it into a seamless Sister Abigail that slammed Bryan's head into the barricade. Wyatt then casually deposited Bryan's seemingly lifeless body back into the ring, finishing the job with a second Sister Abigail to secure his victory.

Despite the crowd predominantly rallying behind Bryan throughout the match, this contest could arguably be deemed as the pinnacle of Bray Wyatt's direct singles matchups. The match received four stars from the Observer, firmly establishing Bray's capability to hold his ground against one of the world's top performers.

The allure of an Undertaker match is a highlight of any WrestleMania, and both "The New Face of Fear" and "The Dead Man" aimed to make Undertaker's first bout post his streak's end something extraordinary. At WrestleMania 31, Bray challenged Undertaker, who responded by summoning lightning to strike Wyatt's customary rocking chair. Wyatt desired to become what Undertaker had represented in WWE and, if not through a torch-passing, he intended to seize it and set the WWE Universe ablaze.

Their entrances alone were worth the entry fee: scarecrows around Wyatt appeared eerily animated. Despite injuring his ankle earlier that day, Wyatt performed admirably, and Undertaker seemed physically fit. Undertaker controlled initially, but Wyatt shifted the momentum, delivering his own offense. The crowd's enthusiasm evolved from mild to fervent support for Undertaker. The enduring image of Wyatt rising into his crab walk during a ten count, only for Undertaker to eerily sit up, remains unforgettable. The match included creative reversals, like turning Sister Abigail into a potent chokeslam. Undertaker sealed the victory by reversing the same move into a Tombstone piledriver.

While Wyatt's victory might have been beneficial, and some felt he should have ended the Streak, both wrestlers put aside debates to deliver a memorable WrestleMania clash.

The bout showcased classic Elimination Chamber elements: intensity, daring maneuvers from the chamber sides, and a new champion. The Styles/Cena narrative continued despite Cena's fourth-round elimination, allowing AJ and Bray to close the match. The crowd was engaged, debating the champion-to-be. Ambrose, Corbin, and Miz contributed admirably, each fitting into their roles.

Bray's title reign wasn't as memorable as the victory itself. His character work, promos, and ability to craft compelling villains define his legacy.

In a WrestleMania with significant matches, Wyatt needed something special. He chose a swarm of bugs and disturbing imagery. The audience transformed into "fireflies," illuminating the dark arena. Wyatt's loss to an RKO was memorable due to its unconventional, insect-infused twists.

The absurdity peaked with a piano rendition of Wyatt's theme and Wyatt being tossed into the "Lake of Reincarnation." Bray later returned as part of "Deleters of Worlds."

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