Brodie Lee

Jonathan Huber, better known to wrestling fans as Brodie Lee, was a dominant force in professional wrestling. A towering figure at 6 feet 5 inches and 275 pounds, he brought an intense, physical style to every ring he entered. Over a career spanning 17 years, Huber performed for WWE as Luke Harper and for All Elite Wrestling as Mr. Brodie Lee, leaving a lasting impression with his powerful presence and memorable characters.

Huber's work in WWE as a member of the Wyatt Family and later as part of the Bludgeon Brothers earned him multiple tag team championships and a brief run with the Intercontinental Championship. After departing WWE in 2019, he revitalized his career in AEW as the leader of the Dark Order, capturing the AEW TNT Championship in a dominant victory over Cody Rhodes. His sudden death from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in December 2020 at age 41 shocked the wrestling community, which continues to honor his legacy through tributes and the ongoing career of his son, Brodie Lee Jr. [edit]

Jonathan Huber was born on December 16, 1979, in Rochester, New York. He attended McQuaid Jesuit High School, where he played lacrosse for four years and also played hockey in independent youth leagues. Huber kept his childhood and family background largely private, though he had at least one brother.

Huber trained for professional wrestling under Kirby Marcos, Rik Matrix, and Tony Mamaluke. He made his debut on October 7, 2003, wrestling on the American independent circuit under the name Brodie Lee. Over the next nine years, he competed for promotions including Chikara, Ring of Honor, CZW, Dragon Gate USA, and Squared Circle Wrestling (2CW), as well as Dragon Gate in Japan. Known as Big Rig Brodie Lee, he developed a devoted following in upstate New York, particularly in the Rochester and Buffalo area. His independent work caught the attention of WWE scouts, leading to a contract in 2012. [edit]

Huber signed with WWE in 2012 and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, the company's developmental territory. He debuted in NXT in 2013 as Luke Harper, a member of the Wyatt Family alongside Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan. The faction quickly became one of the most memorable in modern wrestling, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship before moving to the main roster later that year.

Harper broke away from the Wyatt Family for a brief singles run in 2014, winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship in November. He rejoined the family in mid-2015 and later teamed with Erick Rowan as the Bludgeon Brothers, a dominant tag team that captured the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship in 2018. Huber departed WWE in December 2019, frustrated with his creative direction.

In March 2020, Huber debuted in All Elite Wrestling as Mr. Brodie Lee, immediately taking over as the leader of the Dark Order. On August 22, 2020, he defeated Cody Rhodes in just over three minutes to win the AEW TNT Championship, one of the most dominant victories in the company's history. He lost the title in October 2020 and was hospitalized later that month with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, passing away on December 26, 2020. [edit]

Huber portrayed intense, imposing characters throughout his career. In WWE, his backwoods enforcer persona as a member of the Wyatt Family featured a wild-eyed expression, beard, and dark, tattered clothing. As Mr. Brodie Lee in AEW, he adopted a more authoritative, suit-wearing look with a leather-bound book, projecting the image of a cult leader. Wrestling media consistently described him as one of the most underutilized talents in WWE who finally received his deserved spotlight in AEW. Fans connected with his authentic, dry social media presence on Twitter and Instagram, where he shared humorous and occasionally profane posts. Following his death, AEW held a tribute episode on January 6, 2021, considered one of the most emotional nights in wrestling history. [edit]

Jonathan Huber, the man who became Brodie Lee, commanded a presence that outlasted his physical form. In August 2026, he holds the position of the 88th most famous person in Pro Wrestling, a standing maintained from the previous cycle within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement reflects a legacy built on intensity and a career that transformed from WWE's Luke Harper to AEW's Mr. Brodie Lee. While no formal name defines his supporters, the community rallied around the Dark Order's "open arms" philosophy after his passing. Fans adopted the faction's black and red colors and the claw gesture as acts of belonging, turning a wrestling gimmick into a genuine grassroots movement. The December 30, 2020, episode of AEW Dynamite remains the definitive moment where the wrestling world paused to honor him. Tributes poured in via #RIPBrodieLee, yet the most enduring ritual involves cheering for his son, Brodie Lee Jr., who recently made his debut at GCW's Spring Break X. That night, the 14-year-old defeated Joey Janela, drawing support from across the industry including WWE's Royce Keys. The story of the Exalted One evolving into a father figure for an entire generation cements his status. His influence extends beyond the ring through stories of kindness, like the text message sent to Chad Gable during a difficult run. These moments, tracked by media coverage and global consumption signals worldwide, ensure his ranking remains high among peers.[edit]

Huber trained under Kirby Marcos, Rik Matrix, and Tony Mamaluke. During his independent career, he was billed from multiple locations including Buffalo, New York; Butte, Montana; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Rochester, New York. His AEW debut as Mr. Brodie Lee was a complete surprise, appearing as the Exalted One of the Dark Order without prior announcement. He was hospitalized in late October 2020 with an unidentified lung problem, later diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and incurable disease. His death came just two months after his diagnosis. He appeared in over 800 matches across his career. His billed height of 6'5" and weight of 275 lbs made him one of the largest performers in both WWE and AEW. A widely retold story highlights his kindness when he sent an encouraging text to Chad Gable during his criticized WWE run. The emotional tribute on the December 30, 2020, episode of AEW Dynamite is considered one of the most powerful broadcasts in wrestling history. Fans also celebrate the legacy of his son, who debuted in 2026 by defeating Joey Janela at GCW's Spring Break X.[edit]

Huber married Amanda in 2011 (some sources say 2008). The couple had two sons, including Brodie Huber, born January 17, 2012, who wrestles part-time for AEW under the ring name Brodie Lee Jr. After Huber's death, Amanda has managed his estate and occasionally appears on AEW programming. The family has kept most personal details private, though Huber's son has continued his wrestling legacy. [edit]

Brodie Lee was closely associated with Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan as a member of the Wyatt Family and later the Bludgeon Brothers. In AEW, he led the Dark Order, working with Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Alex Reynolds, and John Silver. He had a notable rivalry with Cody Rhodes, whom he defeated for the AEW TNT Championship. His wife Amanda Huber and son Brodie Lee Jr. continue his legacy. [edit]

Huber married Amanda in 2011, though some sources list 2008. The couple had two sons together. Amanda was his wife at the time of his death and has since managed his estate. She has not remarried publicly as of 2026 and continues to preserve his legacy. [edit]

Amanda Huber announced the death of her husband, Jonathan Huber, via an Instagram post on December 26, 2020, confirming he had passed away from a non-coronavirus-related lung issue. The statement clarified that the condition was specifically lung cancer, a diagnosis kept private until shortly before his death to protect the family's privacy. His final public appearance occurred during the taping of All Elite Wrestling programming, where he wrestled Kenny Omega at the Full Gear event on December 19, 2020, despite his declining health. The wrestling community reacted with immediate and profound grief as peers poured out tributes honoring his mentorship and character work.

Prominent figures like Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho, and Jon Moxley shared heartfelt messages highlighting his impact within the Dark Order faction. Fans organized vigils at AEW arenas and online spaces, while streaming numbers for his past matches and merchandise sales surged significantly in the days following the announcement. Memorial murals dedicated to The Exalted One began appearing in Jacksonville and at AEW headquarters as a reflection of his legacy. A private funeral and memorial service was held shortly after his death in late December 2020, attended by close friends, fellow wrestlers, and family members who gathered to offer personal tributes.

In the years since, his legacy has been honored through various dedications, including a posthumous induction into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2021 as part of the Legacy Wing. His son, Jonathan Huber Jr., adopted the ring name Negative One and briefly joined the Dark Order to continue his father's storyline legacy before moving to other promotions. Amanda Huber continues to manage his estate and advocate for mental health awareness in wrestling, ensuring his memory endures through annual statements emphasizing early cancer detection.[edit]

At the time of his death in 2020, Brodie Lee's estate was valued at approximately $2 million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His wealth accumulated through WWE and AEW salaries, independent wrestling earnings, merchandise sales, and appearance fees. As of 2026, the estate continues to generate revenue from royalties on streaming platforms, posthumous merchandise sales, licensing of his likeness for video games, and the Brodie Lee Jr. merchandise line. His widow, Amanda Huber, manages the estate and has not publicly disclosed exact figures, but ongoing income streams suggest the estate remains valued in the low millions.[edit]

Brodie Lee won multiple championships in WWE and AEW. He held the NXT Tag Team Championship with the Wyatt Family, the WWE Intercontinental Championship, the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship twice (once as a Wyatt Family member, once as a Bludgeon Brother), and the AEW TNT Championship. These titles represent the peak of his in-ring achievements. [edit]