It’s been nearly three years since the wrestling world stopped turning. The sudden, tragic passing of Windham Rotunda - known to the millions of "fireflies" around the world simply as Bray Wyatt - in August 2023 remains one of the most painful chapters in modern WWE history.

He was 36 years old. He was a father, a husband, a brother, and a son. But to the industry, he was something even rarer: a true original.

As we look at the landscape of the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026, scanning the list of legends and mid-carders who are waiting for their ring, there is one name that stands out not just for the accolades, but for the sheer artistic void his absence has left. Usually, we debate candidates based on longevity or work rate. With Bray, the conversation is different. We are talking about a creative genius who fundamentally changed what a wrestling character could be.

If the Hall of Fame is about honouring those who left an indelible mark on the business, then leaving the lantern off for another year simply isn't an option.

The Cult of Personality

To understand why Bray belongs in the Hall, you have to look beyond the win-loss record. You have to look at the feeling he created.

When the Wyatt Family first arrived on the main roster, emerging from the backwoods of NXT, it felt like the show had been hijacked. In an era of polished, reality-based superstars wearing trunks and kick-pads, Bray was an anomaly. He was a southern gothic nightmare come to life. He wore Hawaiian shirts and fedoras; he spoke in riddles; he sat in a rocking chair.

He wasn't playing a wrestler. He was playing a cult leader, and for a solid three years, the audience were his willing disciples. The visual of an entire arena fading to black, illuminated only by thousands of mobile phone torches swaying to his entrance theme, remains one of the most striking images of the 2010s. That wasn't just a "pop." That was a connection.

He possessed a microphone skill set that rivalled the best talkers in history - Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts, Dusty Rhodes. He could talk you into the building, but more importantly, he could talk you into believing that the stakes were spiritual rather than just athletic.

The Reinvention Risk

The true mark of a Hall of Famer, however, is evolution. And this is where Rotunda solidified his legacy.

By 2019, the "Eater of Worlds" character had run its course. In a business that encourages sticking to what works, Rotunda took a sledgehammer to his own creation. He returned not as the bayou cultist, but as a split-personality children's TV presenter hosting the "Firefly Fun House."

It was bizarre. It was uncomfortable. It was genius.

The introduction of "The Fiend" wasn't just a new gimmick; it was a horror movie monster injected into a sports entertainment programme. It polarised fans, sure. The red lighting and the invincibility booking were divisive. But you couldn't look away. He became the top merchandise seller in the company, moving masks and t-shirts at a rate that rivalled John Cena and Roman Reigns.

And let’s be honest, the "Firefly Fun House Match" against John Cena at WrestleMania 36 wasn't a wrestling match. It was a deconstruction of John Cena’s career and the wrestling industry itself, told through a surrealist lens. Only Bray Wyatt could have pitched that, and only Bray Wyatt could have pulled it off.

Commercial Immortality

We often judge Hall of Fame credentials by titles - and Bray had them. He was a WWE Champion, a two-time Universal Champion, and a Tag Team Champion. But a more modern metric of a Superstar's impact is their penetration into the wider pop culture and licensing ecosystem. Did they matter outside the ropes?

Bray Wyatt was a marketing powerhouse. His characters were so visually distinct that they transcended the weekly television product.

You can even see the evidence of his enduring popularity in the iGaming sector. Long after his passing, his likeness continues to be a major draw. He is a central figure in officially licensed slots titles like WWE: Clash of the Wilds, WWE: Legends Link & Win, and WWE Bonus Rumble: Gold Blitz. Numbers around these slots at the sister sites UK players have been visiting recently suggest that these games are as popular now as they were when they first launched a couple of years ago. 

It’s a telling detail. In the online casino world, developers don't waste valuable grid space on characters that players don't care about. They want "sure things." They want icons. The fact that Bray’s avatars - both the Cult Leader and The Fiend - sit alongside the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker in these casino games is proof of his status. He isn't just a wrestler to the corporate side of WWE; he is an intellectual property juggernaut.

When you look at his career, it mirrored the mechanics of those high-stakes games. Every time he reinvented himself, he was effectively pushing his chips all-in. He gambled that the audience would follow him down the rabbit hole of a possessed doll named Lilly or a masked demon. Most wrestlers play it safe. Bray played the odds, and more often than not, he hit the jackpot.

The Unfinished Symphony

The tragedy of his induction, whenever it happens, will be the reminder of what we missed.

When he returned in 2022 at Extreme Rules, the "White Rabbit" viral marketing campaign was perhaps the most engaging interactive storyline WWE has ever produced. The subsequent "Uncle Howdy" storyline, involving his real-life brother Bo Dallas, was just finding its feet when real life intervened.

He was reportedly preparing for a WrestleMania match against Bobby Lashley. He had decades of creativity left in the tank. We were robbed of his transition into the "elder statesman" role, the manager role, or the creative writer role he would have inevitably filled in his 50s.

The Verdict

So, does he belong in the Hall of Fame?

The question feels redundant. The WWE Hall of Fame is a collection of the people who made the show unmissable. For a decade, Windham Rotunda was the most fascinating thing on television.

He bridged the gap between the Attitude Era’s character work and the modern era’s athletic work. He gave us the Wyatt Family. He gave us The Fiend. He gave us "The Whole World in His Hands."

There is a sombre tradition in wrestling of honouring the fallen. We saw it with Eddie Guerrero. We saw it with Paul Bearer. Inducting Bray Wyatt in 2026 isn't just about mourning him; it’s about acknowledging that he changed the texture of the canvas.

He shouldn't just be in the Hall of Fame. He should be the headliner. He should be the face on the poster. And while he won't be there to give the speech, the fireflies will be there to light the arena for him one last time.

Modern casinos have become known for much more than gaming. While game floors still take center stage for most casinos, many have opted to redevelop into full entertainment venues, offering a range of experiences from live music to theatre productions. The change from supplementary entertainment to full-blown entertainment destinations has come after casino operators realized that the stage can bring in as much revenue, if not more, than the gaming floor. Following this transformation, live entertainment has become a staple for casinos, with venues like the MGM Grand and Caesars Palace not only hosting world-class entertainers but also elevating them to the next level. Singing and theatre careers have been made on the stages of casino venues, turning artists into icons.

From Tables to Center Stage

The transition from gaming to headline entertainment was driven by competition and convenience. With the global casino industry experiencing rapid growth and more casinos opening, operators needed to find new ways to stand out amidst a sea of competition. Standing out meant offering more than unique gaming options and basic amenities.

By combining headline entertainment with increasingly streamlined gaming experiences, casino operators helped redefine what modern digital entertainment looks like. The focus gradually shifted toward reducing friction and shortening the path between interest and participation. This shift is reflected across the wider modernisation of casino gaming seen in recent years, particularly as digital platforms prioritise speed, accessibility, and privacy.

One of the clearest indicators of this trend is the emergence of casinos without account verification, which have positioned themselves at the leading edge of frictionless iGaming design. By minimising traditional onboarding steps, these platforms demonstrate how the industry is responding to user demand for faster access and fewer interruptions, offering a glimpse into where online casino experiences are heading rather than standing as an exception to the rule.

Legends Born Under Neon Lights

The inclusion of live entertainment offerings had a fortuitous side effect of creating the perfect stage for musical and theatre performers to establish themselves. Many performers became so closely associated with casino stages that the venue and the artist felt inseparable.  Legendary artists like Frank Sinatra helped define the image of the cool, sophisticated casino lounge with his Vegas era, while Elvis Presley’s extended runs turned Vegas residency shows into a staple of the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

Later stars like Celine Dion and Elton John would go on to take the Vegas Residency and make it an integral part of their careers. The Vegas residency is more than just a show; it is a way for artists to solidify their careers in ways that traditional tours could not.

The Business Behind the Spotlight

From a business perspective, headliner shows at casinos are genius. Shows headlined by big names bring in consistent revenue for the venue while also providing the artist with greater levels of exposure. Ongoing shows also have a knock-on effect on overall revenue, with casino hotels having consistent occupancy, restaurants always being fully booked, and the gaming floor having a constant source of foot traffic.

Performers benefit greatly from casino shows, as these shows offer a reliable income, creative control, and a valuable marketing opportunity. They get to perform in a purpose-built venue, reducing the stress of having to set up arenas and stages in different locations on tour.

Conclusion

The rise of the casino headliner was no accident. It comes from casino operators and venues identifying the value of live performances. Live shows can elevate the experience of casinos, drive loyalty, and create legends at the same time. For artists, a residency at a major entertainment venue or casino is often a sign of having made it in the industry. Casinos have very high standards and requirements for performers, and when one secures a residency, it sends fans the signal that this performer is not to be missed. Live performers and casino operators have developed a unique relationship, one where a venue is more than just a place to gamble, and becomes a place where stars are made. 

We have been working hard on our lists, updating our lists, and multiple projects, but we have a minor update on our initial core list, the Notinhalloffame Rock 600, where we rank the eligible acts who are not yet inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Weeks before the Hall is likely to announce the finalists, we have finally reached the point where we can input the new artists who are eligible starting in 2026.

The third act that we have included is the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who debuted at #79.

Look for more throughout the week, and thank you for your support of Notinhalloffame.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs emerged as the explosive, art-punk heartbeat of the early 2000s New York City rock revival. Formed in 2000 by the iconic frontwoman Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase, the trio quickly distinguished themselves from their leather-clad peers with a sound that was simultaneously "trashy, punky, and grimy." Their 2003 debut album, Fever to Tell, became a definitive record of the era, blending raw garage-rock aggression with danceable rhythms. While they shared stages with The Strokes and The White Stripes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs stood out for their avant-garde edge and Karen O’s feral, unpredictable stage presence, which often involved high-concept costumes and chaotic, beer-soaked performances.

The band’s cultural impact is perhaps most encapsulated by their crossover masterpiece, "Maps." While the rest of their debut was defined by serrated guitars and screaming vocals, this vulnerable, tear-streaked love song proved that the band possessed a profound emotional depth and pop sensibility. Its success not only earned them Grammy nominations but also fundamentally influenced the trajectory of modern pop and indie music.

Beyond their initial success, the importance of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs lies in their restless evolution and status as icons of authenticity and diversity. Over two decades, they shifted from the lo-fi punk of their origins to the shimmering, synthesizer-heavy disco of It's Blitz! (2009), before returning with the atmospheric, environmentally-conscious Cool It Down in 2022. As a biracial woman leading a male-dominated rock scene, Karen O became a foundational figure for a new generation of artists—including Japanese Breakfast and St. Vincent—who look to her as a blueprint for unapologetic femininity and creative independence. Their legacy is one of constant reinvention, proving that a band can maintain "New York cool" while growing into a transcendent, globally respected institution.