With the passing of legendary wrestler Danny Hodge earlier Saturday, the pro wrestling industry already had a tough day. Sadly, everyone within pro wrestling endured another heartbreak as Jon Huber, better known as AEW wrestler Mr. Brodie Lee and formerly Luke Harper in WWE, has passed away at the age of 41.
#RipBrodieLee pic.twitter.com/wBdvPO5F9Y
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 27, 2020
In an Instagram post by Huber’s wife, Amanda, she revealed that Jon had been fighting a “non-COVID related lung issue” and showed her appreciation for the staff at the Mayo Clinic as well as those at All Elite Wrestling through these trying times.
View this post on Instagram
As Mr. Brodie Lee, Huber joined AEW this March after spending seven years in WWE. Huber was revealed to be the “Exalted One,” the supreme leader of AEW’s cult, The Dark Order. This was supposed to be revealed at a Dynamite show in his hometown of Rochester, New York but the start of the COVID-19 pandemic forced AEW to relocate to Jacksonville where they remain to this day.
In AEW, Huber made an immediate impact as the Dark Order leader, competing for the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing this May. A few months later, Huber defeated Cody Rhodes in a matter of minutes to become the second TNT Champion. After losing that title back to Rhodes, Huber went off TV and that was his last appearance on TV.
At WWE, Huber was a part of the Wyatt Family along with Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan, Braun Strowman, and (for a short time) Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan. He was a two-time SmackDown Tag Team Champion and held the Intercontinental Championship for about a month in 2014.
Wrestlers in all promotions expressed their condolences and tributes to Huber. Even before his passing, people mentioned about how he was a great family man and was the complete opposite of the bad guy character he was portraying on TV. This is just some of the many posts from those who knew and worked with Huber as they paid tribute to a great person in the industry.
WWE is saddened to learn that Jon Huber, known to WWE fans as Luke Harper, passed away today at age 41. WWE extends its condolences to Huber’s family, friends and fans.https://t.co/hZnBguE4Mj
— WWE (@WWE) December 27, 2020
I love and miss you Jon. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my family. We all love you so very much. You were such a great man. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to know and work with you. Your family is our family now. We will watch over them. Rest now friend. 💔 https://t.co/aJ3TUntfoH
— Brandi Rhodes (@TheBrandiRhodes) December 27, 2020
Thank You pic.twitter.com/gbBD49IwDH
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) December 27, 2020
I’m so deeply sorry for the loss of Jon Huber. We bonded over the love of our children. He was a true family man. #RIPBrodieLee
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) December 27, 2020
Amazing talent ….
Better human being, husband and father. https://t.co/wc2080Ziar— Triple H (@TripleH) December 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/Alan_V_Angels/status/1343007192232980480?s=20
RIP Jon. I am going to miss you. https://t.co/CkRt6TLKZ2
— EVIL UNO of DARK ORDER (@EvilUno) December 27, 2020
The world has lost a great one.
One of the absolute best.
In every way. #RIPBrodieLee
— Kevinn (@FightOwensFight) December 27, 2020
Gutted to hear about Jon passing away. He saved me from a broken neck. He would get so mad when I pulled up a chair for him to sit in and referred to him as ‘Taker-sir.’
“You’re gonna get me heat, kid.”Condolences to his family and peers that loved him dearly. #RIPBrodieLee
— Mustafa Ali (@MustafaAli_X) December 27, 2020
This was my Bday, which I share with Doc. Brodie & Miro photobombed us & we all shared a great laugh.
I’m shattered over Brodie’s passing. He was full of life with a wife & young children he loved. A devastating reminder of how fragile life is. Rest well, friend.#RIPBrodieLee pic.twitter.com/3p5BH18YIr
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) December 27, 2020
Our entire brotherhood and industry mourns tonight. In addition to his incredible passion and talent, Jon was above all else, a great man, who loved his family more than words can say. Please keep them in your thoughts. I’ll see you down the road, brother ♥️ #RIPBrodieLee pic.twitter.com/DvTNr3Vo4g
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) December 27, 2020
Brodie was one of the best humans I’ve ever met. We hit it off as soon as we met. He was an amazing performer, a mentor, but more importantly a dear friend. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything. #RIPBrodieLee https://t.co/3vbBo0K8bO
— Pres10 (@Pres10Vance) December 27, 2020
It’s hard to explain to people, and I’m not certain he would want me to, that the biggest, scariest man you’ll ever see on your television is the kindest soul you’d ever meet. A model of a husband and father, and proof that some people are too good for this earth. ♥️ https://t.co/jm6YKlRNBu
— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) December 27, 2020
When long trips away from home made me miss my wife and daughter, you always made it a little easier. Great wrestler, but perfect family man. I’ll make sure Amanda, Brodie and Nolan always know how much they meant to you. I loved being your friend. Rest In Peace, Jon. pic.twitter.com/wR5927Xlx1
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) December 27, 2020
After he flipped my table & I miraculously caught the laptop. He came up to me & said:
“My wife got mad & told me I had to apologize to you for breaking your table”
We had a good laugh for months after this happened. He had such a twinkle in his eye when he laughed Miss u, friend https://t.co/MlIbS3i0o7— Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) December 27, 2020
I meet Jon one year ago in Jacksonville. Love the dude right away, I could tell instantly that he was a STAR and more importantly a really good man who loved his wife and kids. My heart breaks for his family & friends during this very difficult time. 🙏 #RipBrodieLee https://t.co/6pJrCE8pFj
— taz (@OfficialTAZ) December 27, 2020
Rest well friend. My heart is broken. https://t.co/Yh9G4ISl3s
— “The Big LG” Doc Gallows AKA Sex Ferguson (@The_BigLG) December 27, 2020
I can’t find any words… Just want to pray for him and his family for now.#RipBrodieLee https://t.co/tYQo5sU8aN
— HIKARU SHIDA 志田 光 (@shidahikaru) December 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/sammyguevara/status/1343018898480836609?s=20
Words do not describe the sadness we all feel today. He was special both in and out of the ring. #RipBrodieLee https://t.co/crt5jiHJgT
— Tony Schiavone (@tonyschiavone24) December 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1343013261051113473?s=20
https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1343007196536254468?s=20
https://twitter.com/callmekrisstat/status/1343009253297164289?s=20
I can not thank you enough for all of your help and the advice you gave me for both wrestling and real life. I’m going to miss you so much.
— Alex Reynolds (@YTAlexReynolds) December 27, 2020
I don’t know how to feel. I’m so heartbroken. Thinking about his wife and children who he loved so much. He was such a great man and helped me more than I could’ve asked for. He will be missed terribly..
#99— Anna Jay (@annajay___) December 27, 2020
Was a true honor every time we locked horns. You were a damn great man, husband and father. This stings. You will be sorely missed Jon. I will always remember out times together. #RIPBrodie #RIPJonHuber pic.twitter.com/8o8haKexNh
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) December 27, 2020
This is beyond terrible.
Heartbreaking.
The time I spend with Brodie, he was always such an absolutely amazing person.
Love, prayers, and positive vibes to his family.
I’m so sorry for you loss.#RIPBrodieLee https://t.co/HMbsUpk1MT
— Death Machine (@TheSamiCallihan) December 27, 2020
I hope you all get to know someone like Jon. He was the biggest family man & someone who made me laugh daily. I’ll miss him every day for the rest of my life. I love you, Brodie, and I thank you so much for loving me.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) December 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/VickieGuerrero/status/1343011258887450624?s=20
Unthinkable. Love and strength to Jon’s family. #RipBrodieLee https://t.co/ddSFEYdMfa
— THE GLAMAZON (@TheBethPhoenix) December 27, 2020
This is heartbreaking. I'm at a legit loss for words right now. Such a kind, talented dude. Absolutely one of a kind.. #RIPBrodieLee
— Not Shawn Michaels (@JohnnyGargano) December 27, 2020
This is incredibly sad. He was an extremely nice guy… huge loss:/ #ripbrodielee https://t.co/iY9GMXEZZQ
— Austin Romero (aka: Mike Rome) (@AustinMRomero) December 27, 2020
Tell your people you love them. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. My heart goes out to the Huber family.#RIPBrodieLee
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) December 27, 2020
[Photo: @Alan_V_Angels]
