In 2023, WWE superstar Windham Rotunda, better known as Bray Wyatt, passed away at the age of 36 due to a heart attack, exacerbated by a pre-existing condition and a COVID-19 infection.
His sudden death left a profound impact on the wrestling world, as fans mourned the loss of a beloved and influential performer. Over a year later, WWE 2K24 is honoring Wyatt by introducing a version of his iconic Fiend character that he never had the opportunity to present in the ring.
Rotunda’s vision for The Fiend was revealed in the documentary Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal. Makeup effects artist Jason Baker explained that he and Rotunda had been collaborating on a new iteration of The Fiend’s costume, which included a terrifying lantern shaped like The Fiend’s mask, complete with animatronic eyes.
This design was nearly complete before Rotunda’s passing, offering fans an insight into what could have been the next evolution of his character.
During the October 4, 2024, episode of Smackdown, WWE 2K24 debuted a teaser showcasing this new version of The Fiend. This was the first time fans had seen this iteration of the character outside of the documentary.
Shortly after, the full entrance video for the character was shared, with a release date for the update set for October 16, 2024. It’s still unclear whether this will be included as a free update or offered as paid DLC, but fans are eagerly awaiting more details.
This new iteration of The Fiend is filled with personal touches that reflect Rotunda’s deep connection to his family. For instance, the stitches around The Fiend’s mouth are shaped like Roman numerals, representing what would have been his wedding anniversary with fiancée JoJo Offerman.
Additionally, the pinstriping on The Fiend’s pants includes the names of his children. While these details were initially hard to make out in early previews, they appear to have been carefully recreated in the game.
Jason Baker, who worked closely with Rotunda, shared his emotional response to seeing the new Fiend character in WWE 2K24. He expressed a mix of joy and sadness but was thankful that his friend’s vision could live on through the game. Baker praised WWE 2K24 for preserving Bray Wyatt’s legacy, allowing fans to experience what might have been, and ensuring that the memory of the wrestling icon endures.
