WWE SmackDown Draws Over 2.6 Million Viewers For Bray Wyatt & Terry Funk Tribute Episode
In a rare convergence of emotional tribute and professional wrestling entertainment, WWE SmackDown’s August 25th episode garnered its highest ratings in months. The show was dedicated to the memory of Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk—two icons who had recently passed away. With the wrestling world still reeling from the shocking news, SmackDown managed to draw an impressive 2.6 million viewers, according to reports by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics. Remembering The Fallen Bray Wyatt, who had been absent from WWE television since February, tragically passed away on August 24th at the age of 36, from heart-related complications following a severe case of COVID-19. The legendary Terry Funk, aged 79 and a WWE Hall of Famer, had passed away just a day earlier. The wrestling community, still coping with the loss of these icons, tuned in to say their farewells. The show opened with a ten-bell salute and included numerous tributes throughout the broadcast. RAW stars like Cody Rhodes and Braun Strowman flew in last-minute to partake in the ceremony, with Cody delivering a heartfelt speech honoring Terry Funk. Ratings Surge Amidst Sorrow According to Wrestlenomics, the tribute episode amassed an average total viewership of 2,647,000, scoring a 0.78 rating in the key 18-40 year-old demographic. Remarkably, this marked a 26% increase in total viewership from the previous week’s 2,094,000 viewers and a 41% increase in the key demographic rating over the previous week’s 0.55. The numbers have not been this high since the December 25, 2020, episode of SmackDown. In a night already heavy with emotion, the main event saw LA Knight face off against The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor. LA Knight secured the victory, but what transpired next left hardly a dry eye in the house. The arena lights dimmed and a lantern appeared in the ring. Fans lit up the arena with their cell phones, creating a sea of fireflies to say a final goodbye to Bray Wyatt. Also Read: Bray Wyatt Reportedly Passed Away In His Sleep, Was Not Wearing Doctor-Recommended Defibrillator A Night to Remember In a world where ratings often dictate the success of a broadcast, it’s poignant that an episode dedicated to the memory of fallen stars would be the one to break records. While the world of wrestling won’t be the same without Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk, their legacies were honored in a fitting tribute that fans won’t soon forget. Despite the triumph in viewership, the air was thick with bittersweet nostalgia and grief, serving as a reminder that the wrestling community is a family—united in joy and sorrow. The high ratings prove that the legacy of these two wrestling legends will continue to inspire and draw communities together, even in the face of immense loss.
All WWE Superstars Who Passed Away In 2023
The sports entertainment industry was left in pieces with the demise of some very prominent names. Professional wrestling has undergone significant evolution over the years, with wrestlers attaining the status of idols and capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. These athletes invest their all in the ring, striving to entertain and bring joy to their followers. Yet, there have been instances where wrestlers have evoked tears of sorrow from the global community as the ultimate separation—death—claims them. This compilation presents the WWE superstars who departed in 2023. Bray Wyatt A beloved figure with an extensive global fanbase, Bray Wyatt was among the most renowned WWE superstars. His accomplishments include clinching the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship. Distinguished for his imaginative narratives and chilling personas, he last competed at the 2023 Royal Rumble. However, his televised appearances ceased due to illness. On August 24, 2023, at the age of 36, Bray Wyatt passed away due to a heart attack stemming from COVID-19 complications. Terry Funk An esteemed WWE Hall of Famer who left an indelible mark during his tenure with WWE and WCW in the 1980s and 1990s. His professional wrestling career spanned over five decades, with a notable inclination towards a hardcore wrestling style. Recognising his contributions, WWE inducted him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2009. After retiring from in-ring competition after his 2017 match, he grappled with dementia, leading to a life of assisted care from 2021 onwards. Terry Funk’s journey concluded on August 23, 2023, at the age of 79. The Iron Sheikh Also recognised as Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, this legend stands as a prominent Iranian-American wrestler who thrived in the WWF and WCW during the 1980s and 1990s. As a heel wrestler, he engaged in an iconic feud with Hulk Hogan during the ‘80s, propelling his popularity. His entry into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 celebrated his legacy, and he retired in 2010. On July 7, 2023, The Iron Sheikh passed away at the age of 81 due to cardiac arrest accompanied by congestive heart failure and hypertension. Droz Born Darren Adrian Drozdov etched his name in the annals of American professional wrestling through his stint with the WWF in the late 1990s as Drozdov, or Droz for short. His time in the ring was curtailed by a devastating neck injury in 1999, temporarily robbing him of movement below his neck. Remarkably, he regained some mobility and transitioned into a writing role with WWE. On June 30, 2023, Droz’s journey concluded at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Centre, with his passing occurring at the age of 54. Peggy Lee Flower Known by her wrestling monikers Peggy Lee Leather, Lady X, and Thug, she left an imprint on American professional wrestling, particularly in the WWF and WCW. Having secured the WWF Women’s Championship, she held a significant position within multiple wrestling promotions before retiring in 2013. On May 22, 2023, Peggy Lee Flower breathed her last at the age of 64. Superstar Billy Graham Eldridge Wayne Coleman Jr. embodied the essence of American professional wrestling and bodybuilding. His era in the WWF, WWF, and WWE was punctuated by his reign as the WWF Heavyweight Champion during the 1970s. He continued his association with WWE under a Legends contract from 2015. Battling numerous health issues, including a January 2023 hospitalisation for ear and skull infections, his condition deteriorated. On May 17, 2023, he succumbed to sepsis and multiple organ failure at the age of 79. Jerry Jarrett An American professional wrestler, he etched his legacy in CWA, WWF, WCW, and as the co-founder of NWA: TNA. Alongside his son Jeff Jarrett, he played an influential role in the wrestling landscape, earning the moniker “Wrestling Genius. Jerry Jarrett’s journey concluded on February 14, 2023, at the age of 80, when he succumbed to a heart attack while undergoing esophageal cancer treatment. Bushwhacker Butch Hailing from New Zealand, he secured his place in WWE’s Hall of Fame. His tenure with WWF during the late 1980s and early 1990s solidified his reputation. After retiring from active wrestling in 2001, his involvement continued in various capacities. On April 2, 2023, he passed away while in Los Angeles, California, for the WrestleMania 39 festival.
