Mike Rotunda, 67, best known as IRS/Irwin R. Schyster during the golden era of wrestling in the early 1990s, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame just last year
In staggering news that’s sent ripples across the wrestling community, legendary tag-teamer and former WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, better known as IRS/Irwin R. Schyster.
His longtime brother-in-law and former tag-team partner Barry Windham broke the news during an emotional discussion at the Glory Days Grapple Con 3. He told wrestling journalist Bill Apter: “It’s kinda tough right now. Mike is in hospice right now.”
“So, anyway, I love that family, but it’s so tragic. Well, it’s been a great ride, and I would like for you all to pray for Mike.” Former WWE star Leilani Kai (real name Patty Seymour) also took to social media to share her heartbreak.
Alongside a photo of the two together, she wrote: “It breaks my heart to share that my friend Mike Rotunda has been placed under hospice care.
“This photo was from earlier this year – a moment I’ll treasure. Please keep Mike and the Rotunda family in your prayers. We love you, Mike. #WrestlingFamily.”
Rotunda enjoyed a storied career during his time in the squared-circle, including teaming up with Barry Windham as The U.S. Express in the early 1980s, becoming two-time Tag Team Champions
Later, he returned in 1991 as IRS and formed Money Inc. with Ted DiBiase, this time winning the tag titles three times.
In 2024 he and Windham were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, cementing his legengardy status in the industry.
He’s also the father of current WWE star Taylor Rotunda (known as Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy) and of the late Windham Rotunda (under the name Bray Wyatt), who tragically died in 2023 from a heart attack at age 36.
A few months after his son’s death, Mike opened up about the devastation his loss caused him.
Speaking on the Wrasslin Talk with Mayor McCall podcast, he said: “It’s been really hard, we miss him every day.
“‘[My kids] would come with me and stay on the road, wherever I was wrestling and it’s so hard to wake up out of this nightmare and he’s still not there.”
He added: “People come up to me and have a story with Windham and say, ‘He took the time to sit there and bulls*** with me for 10 or 15 minutes when he’s supposed to be signing autographs.’
“So many people come up and support him by wearing Windham’s stuff, and they have a story about him. He was that kind of person.”
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