WWE has quietly released Bo Dallas, marking the end of his second stint with the company and the conclusion of the Uncle Howdy character that had been central to recent storylines. The departure was confirmed by multiple wrestling news outlets on April 24, 2026, following his last televised appearance on the April 17 episode of WWE SmackDown. Dallas, who performed under both his Bo Dallas ring name and the Uncle Howdy persona, had been a part of WWE’s roster since 2008, initially signing with Florida Championship Wrestling before its rebranding to NXT.
His most recent run began in 2022 when he returned to WWE alongside his brother, Bray Wyatt, adopting the Uncle Howdy character as an accomplice to Wyatt’s “Firefly Fun House” persona. After Wyatt’s passing in August 2023, Dallas continued portraying Uncle Howdy and became the leader of the Wyatt Sicks faction, a group formed to honor Wyatt’s legacy. The team made its televised debut in early 2024 and remained active through mid-2026, competing in matches that emphasized their eerie, cult-like presentation.
On the April 17, 2026 episode of SmackDown, Dallas teamed with Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan in a losing effort against the MFTs (Madcap Moss, Shanky, and others) in a street fight. This match represented his final appearance on WWE television before his release was reported just days later. Fightful was the first to confirm the departure, noting that Dallas had been with WWE for over 17 years across two separate tenures.
During his initial main roster run that began in 2014, Dallas was primarily used as a jobber but still managed to win championships. He captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship once in 2018 as part of The B-Team with Curtis Axel, and he also held the WWE 24/7 Championship on a single occasion. Earlier in his career, while in developmental, he became a three-time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and a two-time FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with Bray Wyatt. When FCW was rebranded as NXT in 2012, Dallas won the NXT Championship, becoming the youngest holder of the title at that time.
The Uncle Howdy character was notable for its duality, as Dallas occasionally appeared on television as himself while also portraying the enigmatic Uncle Howdy in the same episode or week. This creative approach allowed WWE to explore split-personality storytelling, though it was rarely executed on such a sustained basis. The character drew inspiration from the Wyatt Family’s lore, incorporating elements of Southern Gothic horror and psychological tension that had defined Bray Wyatt’s most acclaimed work.
Dallas comes from a multi-generational wrestling family. His father, Mike Rotunda, is a former WWF Tag Team Champion and two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion. His grandfather, Blackjack Mulligan, was a WWE Hall of Famer who held numerous titles across NWA, AWA, and WWF promotions. His uncles, Barry and Kendall Windham, also enjoyed successful careers, with Barry being a four-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and Kendall holding various regional titles. His brother, Bray Wyatt (real name Windham Rotunda), became one of WWE’s most innovative and popular characters before his untimely death in 2023 at age 36.
The Wyatt Sicks, which Dallas led after Wyatt’s passing, included wrestlers who had previously been associated with Wyatt’s various incarnations. Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis had both appeared in segments tied to the Firefly Fun House, while Erick Rowan was a longtime member of the original Wyatt Sicks. The faction’s promos often featured cryptic messages, distorted imagery, and references to Wyatt’s catchphrases and mannerisms, aiming to maintain a sense of continuity with his creative vision.
WWE has not issued an official statement regarding Dallas’s release, which is consistent with how the company typically handles departures that do not involve major public controversies or high-profile athletes. Fightful noted that additional details about the circumstances of his release would be provided when available. As of now, there has been no indication from Dallas himself on social media or through interviews about his future plans, though his release comes at a time when several wrestlers have departed WWE amid reported budget cuts and roster realignments.
For fans of Dallas and the Wyatt Sicks, the release marks the end of a chapter that sought to preserve one of WWE’s most unique creative eras. While the Wyatt Sicks were never able to replicate the mainstream impact of the original Wyatt Family, they maintained a dedicated following and were praised for their commitment to character and atmosphere. Dallas’s ability to sustain the Uncle Howdy persona for over two years after his brother’s passing demonstrated both his dedication to the role and WWE’s willingness to continue exploring unconventional storytelling.
Moving forward, the focus for WWE will likely shift toward new directions in its mid-card and creative factions, as the company continues to evolve its approach to character development following the loss of several key creative figures in recent years. Dallas’s departure adds to a growing list of talent exits in 2026, though none have been officially tied to a single cause.
Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on Bo Dallas’s WWE career and the legacy of the Uncle Howdy character in the comments below. Stay tuned to World Today Journal for further updates on wrestling news and developments within the sports entertainment industry.