WWE Posts Heartfelt Tribute To Luke Harper On What Would Have Been His 43rd Birthday

WWE took to Twitter this morning to post a heartfelt remembrance for one of the most universally beloved performers backstage in recent years, Luke Harper, who sadly passed away in December 2020. The tweet commemorates today, his birthday, as the giant would have been 43 years old. Harper is survived by his wife and two young sons, who now all work in the wrestling industry carrying on his legacy.

Harper began his wrestling career in 2003 before wrestling on the independent scene for nine years. He experienced a great deal of success while traveling the country, eventually leading him to WWE in 2012. Harper’s main roster debut came at the same time as Erik Rowan and Bray Wyatt as the three formed a subsequent alliance called “The Wyatt Family.”

The Wyatts were one of the hottest acts in all of wrestling for years, with Bray still seemingly riding that momentum. Harper had a brief singles career in WWE where he captured the Intercontinental Championship after defeating Dolph Ziggler on RAW in 2014, and then the Tag Team Championships as a duo with Erik Rowan called “The Bludgeon Brothers.”

Harper eventually left WWE in late 2019 before his shocking death, which was revealed to be caused by Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a disease that stiffens and thickens the tissue of the lungs. Harper, whose real name is Jonathan Huber, touched the hearts of many Superstars and personnel in wrestling as his death devastated the industry. One person who was significantly impacted was Seth Rollins, who recently paid tribute to Harper at a WWE live event.

After Rollins’ match, he stayed in the ring to address the WWE Universe and let them know how he felt in Lee’s hometown. “He passed away a couple of years ago around this time and this is the first time I’ve been here with a microphone in my hand in this city to tell him how much I miss him and how much I love him. I just wanted to say tonight was for him, every time we are in Rochester, in my heart, that means we’re here for him. It’s Saturday, and you know what that means, so do your damn thing and sing my song," he said.

Throughout the course of their careers, Rollins and Harper’s paths crossed quite a few times. The two were rivals in the Shield versus Wyatt Family feud, allies at Survivor Series for Team Authority, and opponents when they faced each other numerous times one on one.

We here at USA Insider are thinking about Harper and his family today and just want to say ... It’s Friday — You know what that means.

You can relive all your favorite Luke Harper moments on the WWE Network on Peacock!