Pro wrestler known as Luke Harper and Brodie Lee dies at 41 - AL.com

Jon Huber, the talented pro wrestler best known for performing as Luke Harper for World Wrestling Entertainment, died on Saturday.

He was 41.

His wife Amanda Huber announced the news of his death via Instagram Saturday evening. She said the cause of death was due to “a non-Covid related lung issue.”

“My heart is broken,” her caption said. “The world saw him as the amazing [Brodie Lee] 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.”

All Elite Wrestling president and CEO Tony Khan tweeted his condolences: “I’m devastated by the loss of Jon Huber, known to fans as Mr. Brodie Lee, formerly Luke Harper. Jon was a great man. His family came first, his loving wife Amanda & their sons Brodie + Nolan. He loved wrestling & was great at it, he loved you fans. Please keep him in your hearts.”

WWE shared their thoughts on Huber’s passing on the company’s website: “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.”

Huber’s run as Luke Harper, part of the Wyatt Family that flanked and protected its leader Bray Wyatt, earned rave reviews from the wrestling world and its fans. While a supporting character to Wyatt’s push, Harper’s crazed eyes, huge beard, creepy demeanor and incredible in-ring performance often stole the show. During his time at WWE, he was Intercontinental Champion and SmackDown Tag Team Champion.

WWE released Huber in December 2019 before he joined All Elite Wrestling as Brodie Lee in March 2020. As “The Exalted One,” Lee led The Dark Order faction and immediately challenged Jon Moxley (Dead Ambrose in WWE) to a championship match at the “Double or Nothing” PPV. He’d later defeat Cody Rhodes for the AEW TNT Championship before dropping it back to Rhodes in October.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., Huber earned his stripes on the independent circuit as Brodie Lee, performing for Chikara, Squared Circle Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Dragon Gate USA and Dragon Gate in Japan. He then landed a developmental contract with Florida Championship Wrestling and NXT prior to his WWE debut in 2013.

Huber’s wife Amanda and the wrestling world expressed their condolences for his passing Saturday night:

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