Remembering Mike Rotunda: Wrestling Legend Faces Hospice Care

WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, known to fans as “Irwin R. Schyster” (IRS), has reportedly entered hospice care, as shared by his longtime tag team partner Barry Windham. This news has resonated deeply within the wrestling community, given Rotunda’s storied legacy and the impact he has had on the sport across multiple generations. Rotunda, the father of the late Bray Wyatt and current WWE star Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy), was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024, marking a crowning achievement in a career that spanned over four decades. Windham, speaking candidly in a recent interview, revealed, “Mike is in hospice right now. It’s kinda tough. He was such a good person, never got in trouble at all his whole life.” Rotunda’s wrestling journey began in earnest with a successful amateur career, competing at Syracuse University and earning recognition in the collegiate wrestling scene. His technical prowess and dedication laid a strong foundation for his professional transition. By the mid-1980s, Rotunda made his mark in the WWF (now WWE), first as part of the U.S. Express tag team with Barry Windham, and later as IRS, the taxman who became a memorable villain in the 1990s. As Irwin R. Schyster, Rotunda formed the legendary Money Inc. tag team with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Together, they won the WWE Tag Team Championship three times, facing off against iconic teams like Legion of Doom and The Steiner Brothers. Rotunda’s versatility also saw him capture titles in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the NWA, and WCW, even briefly aligning with the nWo during his five-year WCW run. His influence extends beyond the ring, as his sons have both carried forward his wrestling legacy. Bray Wyatt, one of WWE’s most innovative characters, and Bo Dallas, now leading the Wyatt Sicks stable, both credit their father for their passion and inspiration in the sport. Rotunda’s real-life connection to the wrestling world is further solidified through his marriage to Stephanie Windham, Barry Windham’s sister, making the Rotunda-Windham lineage one of wrestling’s most prominent families. Rotunda’s accolades include being a five-time WWF Tag Team Champion, an inductee into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and ranking highly in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 and tag team rankings during his career. His technical expertise and ability to adapt to any in-ring style made him a standout performer in every promotion he entered. Rotunda’s most recent WWE appearance came during the “Raw is XXX” special, where he reunited with Ted DiBiase for a memorable cameo. Despite stepping back from regular competition, he continued to make occasional appearances, keeping his legacy alive for a new generation of fans. As Mike Rotunda faces this difficult chapter, the wrestling world reflects on a career defined by excellence, integrity, and an enduring passion for the sport. His story not only highlights his in-ring achievements but also the indelible mark he has left on professional wrestling as a competitor, mentor, and family man. For more on Rotunda’s career and legacy, visit the official WWE profile for Irwin R. Schyster and the New Japan Pro-Wrestling website for details on his international accomplishments.