Former WWE champion Mike Rotunda, known professionally as Irwin R. Schyster or IRS, has been placed into hospice care, according to his brother-in-law.
Mike “IRS” Rotunda, WWE Star, Placed in Hospice at 67
The wrestling world is sending well-wishes to a legend.
Mike Rotunda, 67, who rose to fame in the ‘80s by winning titles in World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE) and World Championship Wrestling, has been placed in hospice care, according to his brother-in-law and former wrestling partner Barry Windham.
“It’s kinda tough right now,” Barry told wrestling journalist Bill Apter in an Oct. 25 interview. “Mike is in hospice right now.”
Barry—who is a two-time World Tag Team Champion with Mike—also referenced the sudden passing of Mike’s son Windham Rotunda, known professionally as Bray Wyatt, who died from a heart attack in 2023 at the age of 36.
He added, “I love that family but it’s just so tragic.”
In addition to Barry’s call for prayers supporting Mike, fellow WWE alum Leilani Kai shared her condolences after the WWE Hall of Famer’s health update.
“It breaks my heart to share that my friend Mike Rotunda has been placed under hospice care,” she wrote in an Oct. 28 post to X (formerly Twitter) alongside a picture of the pair hugging. “This photo was from earlier this year — a moment I’ll treasure.”
Leilani added, “Please keep Mike and the Rotunda family in your prayers. We love you, Mike.”
Though Mike—who is also dad to wrestler Taylor “Bo Dallas” Rotunda and daughter Mika Rotunda with wife Stephanie Windham—has been known by multiple stage names throughout his life, his most notable persona is perhaps Irwin R. Schyster or IRS, who, true to the moniker’s initials, would dress in a white button down and suspenders and taunt his opponents and fans as tax cheaters.
WWE via Getty Images
Under that name, Mike also partnered with wrestler Ted DiBiase and competed against the likes of the late Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.
Earlier this year, Mike reminded fans that the stage name is still alive and well.
“I’m back on X and the books are still open,” he wrote on X in February. “Some of you may have forgotten how this business really works… but I haven’t. The numbers never lie. The debts are still outstanding. And trust me, I ALWAYS collect.”
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