Ranking 10 Best Matches Of Bray Wyatt's Career
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. ##
1. The Wyatt Family vs. The Shield (Elimination Chamber 2014)
Bray Wyatt's career reached its peak when he led the Wyatt Family, consisting of Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, against their rivals, The Shield. WWE capitalized on the popularity of both trios and scheduled a highly anticipated six-man tag match at Elimination Chamber in 2014. ##
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. ##
2. Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena (Firefly Funhouse match At WrestleMania 36)
Following his loss of the WWE Championship to Goldberg at Super ShowDown, Bray Wyatt shifted his focus toward the returning John Cena. Cena had given a talk where he mentioned he wouldn't be competing at WrestleMania 36. He expressed his desire to step back and let the future of WWE take the spotlight. The Fiend, however, challenged him, leading to the build-up for their match, which offered a unique exploration of Cena's past from Wyatt's perspective. Even Cena himself admitted to being uncertain about what to anticipate leading up to WrestleMania. He recounted in an interview with Den of Geek, "I distinctly remember asking what a Firefly Funhouse match was. And the response was basically, 'We're not sure.' In most cases, that would cause worry, but I was intrigued by the wide possibilities to create something extraordinary." ##
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. ##
3. Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins vs. Samoa Joe (Extreme Rules 2017)
With Universal Champion Brock Lesnar absent, WWE capitalized by arranging an intense five-man contest with a title opportunity at stake during Extreme Rules 2017. The match brought together five prominent solo performers, delivering non-stop action throughout. ##
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. ##
4. Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan (Royal Rumble 2014)
Following a frustrated period, Daniel Bryan became part of the Wyatt Family in late 2013. However, due to the Family's lack of success, Wyatt eventually turned against his recent recruit. This led to a singles showdown at the 2014 Royal Rumble, ranking among the more intense matches in Wyatt's history. Accompanied by Rowan and Harper, Wyatt made his entrance. Yet, after some initial interference, he signaled that he could manage the fight on his own and sent them away. ##
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. ##
5. Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker (WrestleMania 31) ##
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. ##
6. Six-Man Elimination Chamber Match (Elimination Chamber 2017)
Bray Wyatt, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, John Cena, Dean Ambrose, and The Miz comprised an elite lineup for the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber 2017. Styles and Cena's ongoing rivalry was a focal point. Randy Orton's Royal Rumble win and his conflict with Luke Harper also played a role. ##
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. ##
7. WWE Champion Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton (WWE WrestleMania 33)
After confirming Luke Harper's doubts, Randy Orton set up a WrestleMania match by burning down the Wyatt Family compound. Orton's prior refusal to challenge Bray was a ruse to set up his turn on Wyatt. The buildup, marked by Sister Abigail's grave and Wyatt's home, mirrored the match's unique premise.##
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. ##
8. Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy in an Ultimate Deletion match (WWE Raw, 3/19/2018)
The rivalry between Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy grew in 2017. "Woken" Matt's emergence promised unusual matches, such as the Ultimate Deletion. Set at the Hardy family compound, the cinematic brawl featured holograms, pyro attacks, and a piano-accompanied entrance. ##
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." ##
9. The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs. Finn Balor (WWE SummerSlam 2019)
Following his hiatus, Bray returned with a new persona, "The Fiend." Facing Finn Balor at SummerSlam marked the Fiend's full match debut. Everything intensified, from the entrance to the moveset. The Fiend dominated, winning with the Mandible Claw. ##
10. The Fiend Bray Wyatt vs. Seth Rollins (Hell In A Cell 2019)
The Fiend's program with Seth Rollins led to a disappointing Hell in a Cell match. The match was marred by red lighting, a lengthy runtime, and an unsatisfying DQ finish. The crowd's support for the Fiend turned to dismay as the match concluded. ##
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