Wrestling fans recall Kyle Busch's brief WWE title reign

Kyle Busch, the NASCAR driver who died at age 41, received tributes from professional wrestling fans after his death was announced Thursday. The community highlighted his single, brief period as WWE 24/7 champion during a December 2019 episode of Monday Night Raw in Nashville.

Busch pinned R-Truth with assistance from Michael Waltrip to capture the title. R-Truth regained the championship later the same night. The moment occurred while Busch was actively competing in NASCAR's national series.

Busch had previously been presented with a WWE championship belt replica after winning a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2009. He was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the all-time leader in wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. NASCAR named him one of its 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.

NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and the Busch family stated that Busch died after a severe illness led to hospitalization. The organizations asked for privacy for his wife Samantha and their two children.