Tag: luke harper

Erick Rowan posts tribute to Bray Wyatt, Brodie Lee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an emotional Instagram post on Friday, Erick Rowan (Joseph Ruud) paid tribute to his departed Wyatt Family stablemates.

Despite no longer being with WWE, Rowan was brought into SmackDown last Friday to be part of the company’s tribute to Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda). Wyatt passed away due to a heart issue on August 24.

Rowan explained in his tribute that he and Wyatt originally bonded over their mutual love of horror movies and music while in FCW. Over time, the Wyatt Family’s on-screen partnership grew into a real-life bond. Rowan wrote that, though Wyatt and Luke Harper/Brodie Lee (Jon Huber) are no longer here, he knows they’re always listening and smiling. Rowan expressed how much his heart hurts for Wyatt and Brodie’s families.

“I love you both so much,” Rowan wrote. “This is only Goodbye for Now, I will see you down the road.”

His full tribute can be read below:

Writing this down makes my soul foggy and my heart ache. Over 12 years ago from the island of FCW we would talk of our mutual love of horror movies and music before embarking on this crazy journey that brought us around the world with Jon. In the process something happened, this family we portrayed weekly in the wrestling world became a real life bond. We spent more time together over the next few years than we would our own families. Strengthening our bond as we dealt with life trials and tribulations together. Eventually this family grew with the introduction of Adam. As did our love for one another. Life is sometimes unfair, I want to pick up the phone and talk to my brothers. For when I think of Windham It makes me think of Jon then the reality of the crazy truth that they are no longer with us. Though I know they are always listening and smiling. With their sudden passings I can not state enough how much they loved their families. My heart hurts for their kids, for Jojo for Amanda for their brothers and sisters or anyone lucky enough to call them a friend. I love you both so much. This is only Goodbye for Now, I will see you down the road.

Braun Strowman (Adam Scherr) responded: “Love you brother. Family over everything”

Strowman underwent neck fusion surgery in June but was also brought into SmackDown last week for Wyatt’s tribute. He and Rowan stood together on the stage for the 10-bell salute to Wyatt and Terry Funk.

Rowan also appeared during AEW’s Brodie Lee tribute show in December 2020.

VIDEO: More WWE wrestlers pay tribute to Brodie Lee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

WWE has uploaded a second video with members of their roster paying tribute to Jon Huber (Brodie Lee in AEW and Luke Harper in WWE).

The 11-minute video includes tributes from Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, Big E, Drew McIntyre, costume designer Sarath Ton, Dolph Ziggler, Natalya, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, and Tamina:

WWE also released a video last week with Xavier Woods, Keith Lee, Mustafa Ali, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Tyson Kidd, Adam Pearce, and Jason Jordan sharing their memories of Huber.

Huber passed away at 41 years old on December 26 after battling a non COVID-19 related lung issue. Last week’s Raw, NXT, and SmackDown episodes opened with tribute graphics for Huber and there were references to him throughout Raw and SmackDown. Last week’s AEW Dynamite was a Brodie Lee tribute show.

On Twitter today, Dax Harwood announced that — after getting Huber’s wife Amanda’s blessing — FTR are changing the name of their finishing move in AEW to one of Huber’s nicknames: “After speaking with Amanda, and getting her blessing, we have decided to change the name of The Goodnight Express to ‘Big Rig’. This is our way of keeping a bit of his legacy alive in professional wrestling. We love you, Brodie. Can’t wait to see you again.”

VIDEO: WWE wrestlers share memories of Brodie Lee

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: WWE

WWE has released a video with members of their roster and others in the company paying tribute to Jon Huber (Brodie Lee in AEW and Luke Harper in WWE).

The video was filmed at Monday’s Raw and includes Xavier Woods, Keith Lee, Mustafa Ali, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Tyson Kidd, Adam Pearce, and Jason Jordan sharing their memories of Huber:

Monday’s Raw and Wednesday’s NXT opened with tribute graphics for Huber. Tom Phillips, Drew McIntyre, Alexa Bliss, Ricochet, Woods, Kingston, and T-Bar also paid tribute to Huber with references throughout Monday’s show.  On Raw Talk after the episode, Woods and Kingston spoke about how important Huber was to them and everyone in WWE.

Huber passed away at 41 years old on December 26 after battling a non COVID-19 related lung issue. Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite was a celebration of Huber’s life and included appearances by his wife Amanda, their sons Brodie and Nolan, and his former WWE tag team partner Erick Rowan.

Wrestlers pay tribute to Brodie Lee on WWE Raw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following his passing, several of Jon Huber’s (Brodie Lee in AEW and Luke Harper in WWE) former WWE co-workers paid tribute to him on Monday’s episode of Raw.

Monday’s Raw opened with a tribute graphic for Huber. Throughout the night, Tom Phillips, Drew McIntyre, Alexa Bliss, Ricochet, Xavier Woods, and T-Bar also paid tribute to Huber.

Phillips opened the show by saying “It’s Monday, and you know what that means,” a reference to Huber’s daily Twitter posts. McIntyre also used that phrase during his promo at the start of the show.

McIntyre and Bliss both used “Yeah, yeah yeah,” which Huber would say during his time as Luke Harper in WWE.

Woods and Ricochet honored Huber by hitting discus lariats during their matches on tonight’s show. Woods also wore a “Brodie” armband.

T-Bar paid tribute to Huber during RETRIBUTION’s entrance.

On Raw Talk, Woods and Kofi Kingston spoke about how important Huber was to them and everyone in the company. They also discussed what an amazing father Huber was to his two sons. Woods asked everyone to remember Huber for the man he was, the legacy he leaves, and to keep Huber in their thoughts.

Huber passed away on December 26 after battling a non COVID-19 related lung issue. Huber’s wife Amanda thanked the Mayo Clinic for treating her husband, calling them “literally the best team of doctors and nurses in the world who surrounded me with constant love.”

AEW has announced that this Wednesday’s Dynamite will be a Brodie Lee tribute show. It will include some of Huber’s son Brodie’s favorite wrestlers (Cody Rhodes, Orange Cassidy & Preston “10” Vance) teaming together for one night only in a six-man tag match against Team Taz (Brian Cage, Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs).

AEW’s Brodie Lee passes away at 41 due to lung issue

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jon Huber, known as Brodie Lee in AEW and Luke Harper in WWE, has passed away at the age of 41.

Huber’s wife Amanda wrote in an Instagram post that he had died from a non-COVID 19 related lung issue.

AEW posted the following statement on their social media:

The All Elite Wrestling family is heartbroken. In an industry filled with good people, Jon Huber was exceptionally respected and beloved in every way – a fierce and captivating talent, a thoughtful mentor and simple a very kind soul that starkly contradicted his persona as Mr. Brodie Lee.

Jon’s love for his wife Amanda, and children Brodie and Nolan, was evident to all of us who were fortunate to spend time with him, and we send out love and support to his beautiful family, today and always. Jon’s popularity among his peers and influence on the wrestling world was worldwide, and transcended AEW, so this loss will be felt by many for a long time.

We were privileged at AEW to call Jon Huber a brother, a friend and one of our own.

At the most recent AEW Dynamite tapings held two weeks ago, there was a segment at the end of the tapings where Kenny Omega “lost” the AEW World title to Huber’s son, Brodie. Brodie was announced as the new champion by AEW announcer Justin Roberts.

Starting his career in 2003, Huber joined WWE in 2012. He regularly teamed with Bray Wyatt and Erik Rowan as The Wyatt Family. After requesting his release from WWE earlier in 2019, it was granted on December 8.

Under the name Mr. Brodie Lee, he made his debut for AEW on the March 18 edition of Dynamite, revealing himself as The Exalted One, the leader of the Dark Order stable that members had been hyping. He started a feud with Cody, defeating him for the TNT title on the August 22 edition of Dynamite, putting him out of action for several weeks. 

Cody returned and faced Lee in what would be Huber’s final match, a Dog Collar match for the TNT title on the October 7 edition of Dynamite. Cody won the match and regained the title.

Huber and his wife, Amanda, have two sons, Brodie and Nolan. Huber was well regarded for being a family man.

Brodie Lee revealed as The Exalted One on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Exalted One’s identity has been revealed.

Brodie Lee, the former Luke Harper, made his AEW debut tonight by revealing himself as The Exalted One, the leader of the Dark Order. 

Evil Uno and Stu Grayson were in the ring talking about The Exalted One when Christopher Daniels, who was in the crowd, confronted the duo. He claimed that Evil Uno was just making things up and denied that there was an Exalted One.

A video then showed The Exalted One telling Daniels to shut up, that he was not the first out of touch old man to underestimate him, but he would be the last. He then revealed himself as Brodie Lee. He and The Dark Order then attacked Daniels from behind as the video ended, with Lee laying out Daniels to end the segment.

This would mark the first appearance of Lee since his WWE release was granted on December 8. He originally asked for his release in April of last year, but WWE denied the request. He returned to WWE briefly last fall, taking part in a tag match with partner Erik Rowan. His last WWE match was participating in a battle royal at Crown Jewel on October 31.

Figure Four Weekly: Harper, Sin Cara & The Ascension get WWE releases

Posted on by F4W Staff

For the PDF click here.

For the Epub click here.

WWE took a step forward this past weekend by resolving their situations with a few wrestlers who wanted out of the company.

In quick succession on Sunday, WWE announced that Luke Harper, Sin Cara, and The Ascension had been released: “WWE has come to terms on the releases of Jonathan Huber (Luke Harper), Sin Cara, and Ryan Parmeter (Konnor) and Eric Thompson (Viktor) of The Ascension. WWE wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.”

Harper’s release saga was nearly eight months long. He went public with his request via a statement he posted online on April 16. He spent the next five months off of television before then returning in a pretty significant angle at Clash of Champions, helping Erick Rowan defeat Roman Reigns in their no disqualification match.

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WWE notes: Eric Bischoff, Crown Jewel, The Usos, Rowan & Harper

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The firing of Eric Bischoff, which was not a shock to those close to the situation, happened this morning.

Both Bruce Prichard and brand head writer Ed Koskey will be the main people in charge of the show going forward. What was interesting is that Bischoff was brought in partially on the recommendation of Prichard and the two had been working together on the show.

In other WWE news, regarding the Crown Jewel show, Seth Rollins at this point is only scheduled to work one match on the event, his falls count anywhere Universal Championship match with Bray Wyatt. Rollins was originally set to be the captain of Team Hogan in the five vs. five Team Hogan vs. Team Flair match. As of right now, he is no longer scheduled for the match and his removal will likely be addressed on television over the next week.

Regarding The Usos, after Jimmy’s most recent arrest for a DUI in late July, The Usos and Naomi were all taken off the road. While they were at a recent television taping backstage, there is right now no creative for them nor return date, nor a decision regarding which brand they will be with. Because of that, they weren’t involved in the draft.

Also, Luke Harper & Erick Rowan have been broken up as an act.

Reigns & Bryan vs. Rowan & Harper official for WWE Hell in a Cell

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A tag team match has been added to Hell in a Cell next month.

Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns will team up to take on the team of Luke Harper and Erik Rowan. After Harper helped Rowan defeated Bryan on tonight’s SmackDown, Reigns came out to help Bryan from a two-on-one assault. After clearing house, Bryan asked if the crowd wanted to see him and Roman kick Harper and Rowan’s ass, which led to a “yes” chant.

The ongoing story centers around Erik Rowan, who was responsible for the series of incidents that took place during the summer to Roman Reigns, who narrowly avoided injury following a car crash and being trapped under stage equipment. Rowan and Reigns would have a match at Clash of Champions, where Rowan won after a returning Luke Harper took out Roman prior to the finish.

Hell in a Cell will take place on October 6 at the Golden One Center in Sacramento, California.

Update on planned matches for WWE Hell in a Cell

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

A few notes coming out of Clash of Champions.

Most everything that you would expect coming out of the pay-per-view is the planned direction.

For Hell in a Cell, the plan right now is two matches in a cell, one male, one female with Universal Champion Seth Rollins vs. The Fiend (Bray Wyatt) and Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks. Hell in a Cell is taking place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California on October 6.

After Rollins retained the Universal title against Braun Strowman last night, there was an angle where The Fiend appeared and attacked Rollins.

Lynch vs. Banks ended in a disqualification last night when Lynch went to hit Banks with a steel chair but accidentally struck the referee. Lynch and Banks brawled in a post-match angle, with Lynch putting Banks in the Dis-Arm-Her inside of a chair.

The return of Luke Harper, which was a late decision, was because Erick Rowan needed a tag team partner for a planned match, at least at this moment, against Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan. Harper helped Rowan defeat Reigns in a no DQ match last night.

Luke Harper returns at WWE Clash of Champions

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Luke Harper resurfaced on WWE television tonight, aiding his tag team partner.

Harper showed up during the Roman Reigns/Erik Rowan no disqualification match that took place at WWE Clash of Champions. Reigns and Rowan brawled all over the stage towards the end of the match. Reigns prepared to hit a spear on Rowan, but as he was running got caught by a big boot from Harper. The two double teamed Reigns back in the ring, and eventually it was Rowan who scored the win after hitting the iron claw slam.

Harper has spent most of the last year in limbo. He returned from wrist surgery in March and appeared on both the WrestleMania 35 men’s battle royal and the Worlds Collide event that took place over WrestleMania weekend. 

He publicly asked for his release on Twitter in April, but WWE refused to grant the release. Dave Meltzer reported at the time they instead added more time to his contract that was due to expire in November due to his previous injury.

Luke Harper requests release from WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In a statement posted on his social media accounts this afternoon, Luke Harper revealed that he’s requested his release from WWE:

As of this evening, I have requested a release from WWE. The past 6 years have been a simply, amazing journey around the world and back with lifelong friends and family. I am proud of it all and proud to say I shared the ring with my co workers.

This decision, as difficult as it was, feels right for myself and WWE. My goal in the future is to continue to grow as a performer and person and continue to make my family proud.

Thank you. From the top to the bottom of WWE. Thank you to the fans for your undying support. Thank you everyone.

UPDATE: Dave Meltzer notes that the 39-year-old Harper hasn’t been given his release as of this moment, he’s only asked for it. Harper didn’t state what WWE’s response to his request was in his statement.

After undergoing wrist surgery while Erik Rowan was also out of action, Harper returned to the ring at a house show in March. He was an entrant in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35 and defeated Dominik Dijakovic at WrestleMania Axxess, with their match airing as part of the NXT Alumni vs. NXT Worlds Collide special on the WWE Network.

Harper wasn’t used on television on Raw or SmackDown since returning from injury. Rowan returned at the Royal Rumble in January and aligned with Daniel Bryan in storyline.

On February 19, Tye Dillinger publicly stated that he had requested his release from WWE. WWE then announced Dillinger’s release on February 22.

WWE Utica live results: Strowman vs. Corbin, Harper in action

Posted on by F4W Staff

– Drew McIntyre defeated Dean Ambrose

McIntyre won with the Claymore Kick.

– No Way Jose defeated EC3

Jose used a roll-up to get the pin.

Elias then attacked Jose with his guitar after the match. Elias did his singing shtick, with Finn Balor interrupting him. They sang “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Elias attacked Balor in the middle of the song, but Balor hit him with the Coup de Grace.

– Alexa Bliss hosted A Moment of Bliss with Natalya as her guest, which led to a singles match.

– Natalya defeated Alexa Bliss by DQ

Lacey Evans came out during the middle of the match and caused the disqualification. Nikki Cross made the save for Natalya, leading to a tag match.

– Natalya & Nikki Cross defeated Alexa Bliss & Lacey Evans

Natalya submitted Bliss with the Sharpshooter.

– Apollo Crews defeated Luke Harper

Crews hit a standing moonsault to win. This match also took place at Raw’s house show in Trenton, New Jersey on Friday.

– WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated The Riott Squad to retain their titles

This was originally advertised as Banks & Bayley facing Nia Jax & Tamina, but Jax & Tamina didn’t appear on the show. Banks submitted Ruby Riott with the Banks Statement.

– The Ascension & Mojo Rawley defeated Curt Hawkins, Zack Ryder & Titus O’Neil

Hawkins got pinned here.

– Raw Tag Team Champions The Revival defeated Bobby Roode & Chad Gable to retain their titles

The Revival retained in a 25-minute classic.

– Braun Strowman defeated Baron Corbin in a no DQ match

Strowman powerslammed Corbin through a table to pick up the win.

WWE Rochester live results: Rousey vs. Riott, Harper returns

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by Michael Cordell Jr.

– WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Bayley defeated Nia Jax & Tamina in 9:15 to retain their titles

Banks & Bayley retained after Bayley hit a flying elbow on Tamina. Fun opener — the crowd was into it.

– Luke Harper defeated Mojo Rawley in 7:00

Harper returned to the ring and got a huge pop from the crowd in his hometown. It was a welcome surprise.

Rawley ambushed Harper before the bell, then the match got underway. Harper won with his discus lariat.

– Tyler Breeze’s music hit. As he was walking down the ramp, Drew McIntyre attacked him from behind. McIntyre hit the Claymore Kick in the ring, got on the mic, and said he should be headlining WrestleMania instead of Seth Rollins.

McIntyre issued a challenge to anyone in the back — and Dean Ambrose’s music hit.

– Drew McIntyre defeated Dean Ambrose in 7:55

McIntyre won with the Claymore Kick. It was a back-and-forth match before the finish.

– Alexa Bliss teased a big celebrity interview for Moment of Bliss, but she said Bradley Cooper or Lady Gaga wouldn’t be caught dead in Rochester. That received big heat from the crowd.

Bliss said she instead found someone more on Rochester’s level — Natalya. Bliss insulted her and the Hart family. Natalya faked a peace offering and then attacked Bliss, leading into the next match.

– Natalya defeated Alexa Bliss by DQ

Shortly after the start of the match, Lacey Evans’ theme music hit and she made her walk out. Natalya put on the Sharpshooter, but Evans interfered to cause the disqualification. They double-teamed Natalya until Dana Brooke came out to make the save. The match was restarted as a tag match.

– Natalya & Dana Brooke defeated Alexa Bliss & Lacey Evans in 6:55

I had never seen this many people chanting Dana Brooke’s name. Natalya submitted Bliss with the Sharpshooter.

– Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor defeated Bobby Lashley in 10:40 to retain his title

Balor retained with the Coup de Grace.

– Raw Tag Team Champions The Revival defeated Bobby Roode & Chad Gable in a two-out-of-three falls match in 28:30 to retain their titles

Great match — it got “this is awesome” chants. The Revival won the first fall, then Roode & Gable got the second fall. The Revival won the third fall with a roll-up pin while using the ropes for leverage.

– Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Ruby Riott in 1:05 to retain her title

Rousey was in full-blown heel mode. She stormed to the ring and did D-X crotch chops. This was a squash match, with Rousey submitting Riott with an armbar.

Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan attempted to attack Rousey after the match, but Rousey fended them off and did more heel antics.

– Braun Strowman defeated Baron Corbin in a Rochester Street Fight in 13:15

Corbin was in control for most of the match with a kendo stick. Strowman eventually put him through a table and pinned him for the victory.

Luke Harper returns to the ring at WWE house show

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Luke Harper made his in-ring return tonight.

Harper appeared tonight at a Raw house show in Rochester, New York, defeating Mojo Rawley. Although Harper was last seen on the SmackDown brand, he was at Raw tonight since Rochester is his hometown. He had teased an appearance earlier today in a tweet.

Harper took time off to get surgery on his wrist when his tag team partner Rowan tore his bicep in a match last August. He continued to compete until October, then took time off for the surgery. His last match was back on 10/1 when he defeated Tye Dillinger at a WWE house show. The last appearance of him and Rowan as a duo was on 8/21, when they dropped the SmackDown tag team titles to the New Day. 

Rowan returned from his injury in late January but under a new gimmick as an associate of Daniel Bryan, dropping the Bludgeon Brothers gimmick for a flannel outfit in line with Daniel Bryan’s new character.