Brodie Lee, the former WWE Intercontinental champion — died Saturday after battling a non-COVID related lung issue, according to his family.
He was 41.
via NYP:
Lee, whose real name is Jon Huber, died of a non-COVID-19 related lung issue, according to his wife Amanda’s Instagram account. Huber was worked under the name Luke Harper in WWE.
“The All Elite Wrestling family is heartbroken,” the promotion,” said in a statement. “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 simply 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 our 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. transcended AEW. We were privileged at AEW to call Jon Huber a brother, a friend and one of our own.”
His wife also shared a statement on Instagram along with photos of Huber with her and their two sons.
“My best friend died today,” she wrote. “I never wanted to write out those words. My heart is broken. The world saw him as the amazing @brodielee (fka Luke Harper) but he was my best friend, my husband, and the greatest father you would ever meet. No words can express the love I feel or how broken I am right now. He passed surrounded by love ones after a hard fought battle with a non Covid related lung issue. The @mayoclinic is literally the best team of doctors and nurses in the world who surrounded me with constant love.”
Brodie Lee
AEW
Jon Huber’s character has not wrestled on AEW TV since losing the TNT championship to Cody Rhodes on Oct. 7 on “AEW Dynamite and reportedly sustained an ankle injury. He debuted with the company in early March as “The Exalted One” and leader of Dark Order faction.
“I can’t express my love and admiration for the way @allelitewrestling has treated not only my husband but myself and my kids,” his wife wrote. “@margaret.stalvey @meghalegalgirl10 @americannightmarecody @thebrandirhodes @nickjacksonyb @mattjackson13 @kennyomegamanx @tonyrkhan and the rest of the team at AEW have helped keep me standing and pick up all the broken pieces.
“I’ve been surrounded by so much love and incredible people I can’t tag them all but they know who they are and I don’t think they will ever know how thankful I am for them.
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Huber, a Rochester, NY, native, also wrestled in WWE from 2012-2019 as a member of The Wyatt Family and then The Bludgeon Brothers tag team with Erick Rowan.
WWE also sent a statement of condolence.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Jon Huber, known to WWE fans as Luke Harper, passed away today at age 41,” the statement read. “Known as both Luke Harper and Brodie Lee in the ring, Huber found success in every stop of his sports-entertainment career, as his soft spoken yet imposing presence helped him create countless awe-inspiring moments in the ring.
“After a highly decorated run on the independent circuit, Harper debuted in NXT as a menacing enforcer for The Wyatt Family. Harper had a dominant tag team run with Rowan that would lay the groundwork for future championship success.”
“I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of Jon Huber, Stephanie McMahon, WWE’s chief brand officer Tweeted. “We bonded over the love of our children. He was a true family man. #RIPBrodieLee”
RIP.
