It was on December 26, 2020, that the wrestling world learned shocking, devastating news.
Jon Huber, who performed in AEW and the independent circuit as Brodie Lee, and also had a lengthy WWE stint under the alias Luke Harper, passed away at 41 years old due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Lee has been far from forgotten since he left the world. The start of each AEW broadcast is still kicked off with the phrase “It’s Wednesday, you know what that means,” paying homage to a term the phrase he frequently used.
But, as Friday marked the fifth anniversary since he had passed, many took extra time recently to reflect on his legacy.
Amanda Huber, Lee’s wife, posted a touching note today about what it has been like without him.
Five years.
This year seems heavier. Five seems like the next milestone. At first it was making it thru the first hour you were gone. Then the first day. First week. First month. Six months. First year.
Five seems like the next milestone.
I still remember it like it was… pic.twitter.com/7IutXGjnWQ
— Amanda (@MandaLHuber) December 26, 2025
Five years.
This year seems heavier. Five seems like the next milestone. At first it was making it thru the first hour you were gone. Then the first day. First week. First month. Six months. First year.
Five seems like the next milestone.
I still remember it like it was yesterday. I can close my eyes and walk thru the whole day. Waking up that morning in the hotel and knowing it was going to be over. Taking in the walk from the hotel to the hospital. Walking into the room with Big Hero 6 playing. Seeing my incredible nursing staff (including one who wasn’t supposed to be there but came in so I wasn’t alone) Watching our friends filter thru. Going thru the worst moment of my life telling Brodie. Walking back to the hospital knowing it was the last time. The sounds the family made when they walked into the room and saw him for the first time. Holding his hand as he let go. My nurses holding me in that moment. Cleaning up the room I essentially lived in for months. Getting texts of Brodie flying kites on the beach with @CodyRhodesTaking in the sunset on my final walk back to the hotel. Sitting in the hotel room trying to come up with the words to put out to the public that he was gone.
I know I said this recently but I’d give almost anything to have just another hour. For you to see the amazing people the boys have grown into. To see how smart and funny Nolan is. To see how passionate Brodie is. To talk to them both and realize how lucky we were to be parents to such amazing little boys. Also to thank you for giving me them. Thank you for teaching me so much about myself over the years. For bringing me into your amazing family. Just to thank you for everything.
I wish I had more words for this.
I miss your laugh. I miss the way you’d make me laugh. I miss watching you play with the kids. I miss watching you nap with the dogs. I miss texting you unflattering pictures of Ham. I miss you putting over my cooking.
I miss thousands of little things and micro moments where I’m reminded of the hole you left. I love you forever. Thank you for making me the luckiest
Erick Rowan, a wrestler who shared the ring with Lee over 450 times as part of their run in The Wyatt Family from 2012 to 2019, posted a statement about him as well. Their time together featured two title reigns, including a 135-day run in 2018 with the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Grief is a funny thing. It’s something that never goes away. Some days are good, filled with emotional memories, some not so good, filled with frustration. People can leave a lasting impression on others either for the bad or the good. JON was the latter. Can’t think of one… pic.twitter.com/Jj2kGNAhGM
— Joseph Ruud (@ErickRedBeard) December 26, 2025
Grief is a funny thing. It’s something that never goes away. Some days are good, filled with emotional memories, some not so good, filled with frustration. People can leave a lasting impression on others either for the bad or the good. JON was the latter. Can’t think of one person who had a bad thing to say about the wrestler, the father, the husband, or the man. He was the foundation of what I myself hope to be. 5 years has passed since we last talked on this physical realm. But you are part of my heart always. Love you forever brother…..
AEW’s Tony Khan also posted a statement about Harper:
5 years ago today, the world lost Jon Huber, a great man known to fans as Mr. Brodie Lee + Luke Harper.
His family came first, his loving wife Amanda and their sons Brodie + Nolan. He loved wrestling, + he was an amazing wrestler. He loved you fans. Please keep him in your hearts— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) December 26, 2025
5 years ago today, the world lost Jon Huber, a great man known to fans as Mr. Brodie Lee + Luke Harper.
His family came first, his loving wife Amanda and their sons Brodie + Nolan. He loved wrestling, + he was an amazing wrestler. He loved you fans. Please keep him in your hearts.
