Leva Bates shares a story about Bray Wyatt as she pays tribute to him by wrestling in Bray Wyatt cosplay.
The wrestling world suffered a huge loss in 2023 when Windham "Bray Wyatt" Rotunda passed away at the age of 36. Since his passing, many in the industry have shared stories about how Bray had touched their lives.
Now, Leva Bates is sharing her own story about a time when Wyatt unknowingly calmed her nerves as she was anxious during her days as Blue Pants in NXT. Bates says that by striking up a conversation with her backstage, Wyatt helped put her at ease during a time when she felt like a thorn in most people's sides during her, at the time, unprecedented circumstances.
Story time: years ago I was doing the pants of blue thing. I was nervous & absolutely anxious, since I was the odd one out. I wasn't signed, but I was being used a lot. I felt like a thorn in most people's sides because this was kind of unheard at the time.
But one day in catering, Bray randomly struck up a conversation with me. Honestly about nothing, small talk and whatnot, but he oddly put me at ease. He didn't have to do that, but he did. He probably didn't even think anything of it, but it meant a lot to me.
So today I honor Bray Wyatt one of the only ways I know how: to wrestle as him. Thank you, Bray, for the entertainment, inspiration and your kindness
Bray pic.twitter.com/ZDPP3krCUe
— Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) October 29, 2023
Bates was previously employed by AEW. Now, she takes bookings on the independent circuit. Read her message about her departure from AEW here.
Fans can read more tributes from those within the world of wrestling to Bray Wyatt at this link.
