Wrestling fans are still grappling with the untimely death of Jon Huber, the wrestler currently known as Mr. Brodie Lee. All Elite Wrestling will dedicate tonight’s episode of “Dynamite” on TNT.
Huber, 41, died of an undisclosed lung ailment, according to social media posts from his wife Amanda. However, she did say it was not caused by COVID-19.
After toiling in the WWE for six years, Huber debuted last March for AEW, the relatively-new alternate national wrestling promotion. He adopted the persona of Mr. Brodie Lee, the dictator-like leader of a band of wrestlers known as The Dark Order.
As Lee, Huber was an immediate star for AEW, holding its second most important title, the TNA championship. His last televised match was Oct. 7, when he lost the championship to Cody in a dog collar match.
Huber Wrestled Several Times in Fresno
Huber competed five times in Fresno during his time with the WWE. He was known as Luke Harper, the bushy-bearded, wild-eyed muscle for his cult-like leader, Bray Wyatt — real name Windham Rotunda, who once played football at the College of the Sequoias.
Shortly after his 2013 WWE debut, Harper teamed with fellow Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan to defeat Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso on Aug. 23, 2013 at the Save Mart Center.
One year later, The Usos — who were now WWE tag team champions — defeated The Wyatt Family and The New Day to successfully defend the title at an Aug. 24, 2014 Save Mart Center card.
Harper’s first Fresno TV match was memorable, but perhaps not for his opponent Dean Ambrose, now known as former AEW World champion Jon Moxley.
The match was called off after about 10 minutes of brawling when Harper powerbombed Ambrose through a table on the April 2, 2015 edition of Smackdown.
His final Fresno appearance came in 2018. He and Rowan broke away from Wyatt and gained a new team name, The Bludgeon Brothers. They also lost their first names — known just as Harper and Rowan.
The Bludgeon Brothers were now WWE Smackdown tag team champions and successfully defended the title against The Club, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows.
Luke Harper Fresno Record
All matches at the Save Mart Center
August 23, 2013 (live event):
The Wyatt Family: Erick Rowan & Luke Harper (w/Bray Wyatt) d. The Usos: Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso
August 24, 2014 (live event):
WWE tag team championship/elimination match: The Usos: Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso [ch.] d. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan/Kofi Kingston & Big E Langston (w/ Xavier Woods) [Harper pinned Big E; Harper was pinned with the splash off the top]
Also, the Wyatt Family and Usos interfered in a the Sheamus vs. Bray Wyatt match later in the evening.
March 31, 2015 (Smackdown taping for 4/02/2015):
Dean Ambrose NC Luke Harper
February 13, 2016:
Neville & Kane d. The Wyatt Family: Luke Harper & Erick Rowan
June 24, 2018:
WWE SmackDown tag team championship: The Bludgeon Brothers: Harper & Rowan [ch.] d. The Club: Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows
David Taub has spent most of his career in journalism behind the scenes working as a TV assignment editor and radio producer. For more than a decade, he has worked in the Fresno market with such stops at KSEE-24, KMJ and Power Talk 96.7. Taub also worked the production and support side of some of TV sports biggest events including the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals and NASCAR to name a few. Taub graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email
