Jon "Brodie Lee" Huber Passes Away

Jonathan Huber, a 17-year ring veteran who wrestled under names such as Brodie Lee and Luke Harper, was reported to have passed away on Saturday at the age of 41. No cause of death is known at this time.

AEW confirmed the news of Huber's passing, writing in part, "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 simply a very kind soul that starkly contradicted his persona as Mr. Brodie Lee."

Huber entered the wrestling business in 2003, working for indies his native New York area. His first notable run came with CHIKARA, debuting for the organization in 2007. For the better part of the next five years, he wrestled for the CHIKARA, and earned acclaim for a 2008 steel cage match with Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro).

Huber also wrestled for Ring of Honor under the Lee name, aligning with the Age of the Fall group. Other notable indies where Huber wrestled include Dragon Gate USA, EVOLVE, and New York's 2CW.

In 2012, Huber signed with WWE, where he assumed the name Luke Harper upon assignment to developmental. By year's end, he became a follower of Bray Wyatt, winning the NXT Tag Team titles alongside Erick Rowan. The two joined Wyatt on the main roster in 2013, attacking Kane in their televised debut.

On the main WWE roster, Huber dipped in and out of the Wyatt Family over the years ahead, and oftentimes teamed with Rowan. He held the Intercontinental title for four weeks in 2014, and was a two-time SmackDown Tag Team champion - first with a modified version of the Family, and later with Rowan as The Bludgeon Brothers. That latter reign began with a win at WrestleMania 34.

Huber notably asked for his WWE release in the spring of 2019, and finally secured it in December of that year. Three months later, he debuted on AEW Dynamite, revealed as The Exalted One of The Dark Order. Working as "Mr. Brodie Lee", Huber unsuccessfully challenged Jon Moxley for the AEW World title at Double or Nothing in May. 

Three months later, he dominated TNT champion Cody Rhodes in a three-minute bout to capture the championship. He lost the title back to Rhodes on October 7, dropping the title following a brutal dog collar match on Dynamite. The match ended up being the final one for Huber.

Cultaholic extends its condolences to Mr. Huber's family and friends.