IRS isn’t ready to pay the ultimate taxman just yet, it seems.
After recent reports that former professional wrestler Mike ‘IRS’ Rotunda was in hospice care, his daughter has provided a health update on the retired WWE star – and the news is both good and bad.
According to Mika Rotunda, her father is not in hospice care, but he is in rehabilitation centre while recovering from a massive heart attack suffered last month.
“Our family would like to take a moment to clarify some information currently circulating online regarding my father, Mike Rotunda,” Mika wrote as a public statement on her Instagram Story.
“Yes, my uncle Barry did make a comment mentioning that my father is in hospice care while answering a question about my late brother, Windham, whom we lost two years ago.
“My father is not in hospice, but rather in a rehabilitation centre. He suffered a massive heart attack on Sept. 20, was in a coma for a week and spent over a month hospitalized.
“By the grace of God, he has now transitioned to a rehabilitation centre where our family remains present, hopeful and focused on his recovery.
“It has already been a long road and we know there is still a long road ahead – but our faith in God remains strong. Anyone who knows my dad, knows that it’s his strength, work ethic and athleticism that have carried him through not just this, but every challenge life has thrown his way. If there’s one person I have faith in, it’s Captain Mike.
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“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from the wrestling world and our local communities. At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we continue walking this journey together – but we warmly welcome continued prayers, good energy and healing thoughts for his recovery.”
During an interview with pro wrestling journalist Billy Apter, Rotunda’s former tag team partner and brother-in-law Barry Windham was asked to share a story about Rotunda’s son, late WWE superstar Windham Rotunda, who wrestled under the name Bray Wyatt.
“It’s kinda tough right now. Mike is in hospice right now,” Barry Windham said. “So, anyway, that family, I love that family, but it’s so tragic.”
Former WWE star Leilani Kai also shared her heartbreak over the report, posting a photo on X of herself hugging Rotunda.
“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,” wrote Kai, real name Patty Seymour. “Please keep Mike and the Rotunda family in your prayers. We love you, Mike. #WrestlingFamily.”
Rotunda, 67, is best known for his time in WWE and WCW during the 1980s and 90s.
He had a notable career as a tag team wrestler, starting when he partnered up with Windham as The U.S. Express in the early 1980s. The duo won the then-WWF tag team championships twice before exiting the company.
He returned in 1991, repackaged as the IRS character and teaming up with ‘The Million Dollar Man’ Ted Dibiase as “Money Inc.” They won the tag titles three times during the run and faced off against Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake in a championship match at WrestleMania IX in 1993.
He later joined WCW as V.K. Wallstreet – a riff on former WWE owner Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year alongside Barry Windham.
In 2023, Windham Rotunda died of a heart attack at the age of 36.
Rotunda’s other son, Taylor, wrestles in WWE under the name of Bo Dallas and alter ego Uncle Howdy, which is a tribute to his brother’s Bray Wyatt character.