Wrestling Wednesday - RIP Paul Bearer

Wrestling Wednesday – Rest in Peace, William Moody



William Moody, better known the world over as Paul Bearer or Percy Pringle III, passed away on March 5th at the age of 58. In a career spanning 36 years, Moody wrestled briefly before becoming one of the most recognizable managers in the history of professional wrestling. 

Moody’s journey in the world of professional wrestling started as a ringside photographer when he was a teenager. While serving in the United States Air Force, he wrestled during off-duty hours for Indian Coast independent promotions. In 1979, Moody debuted as his first legendary managerial character – Percival “Percy” Pringle, III – in the southeastern United States. It was also during this time where Moody obtained his degree in mortuary science and earned certification as a funeral director and embalmer. 

Moody, as Percy Pringle, III, alongside Rick Rude in WCCW

Percy Pringle, III was a fixture of wrestling in the southeastern United States. Over six years, Pringle managed such men as Rick Rude, Eric Embry, Lex Luger, the Dingo Warrior, The Missing Link, Buzz Sawyer, Jack Victory, and then-unknowns Steve Austin and Mark Callaway throughout stints in the original Florida Championship Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, and the United States Wrestling Association. However, in 1990, Percy Pringle, III moved to the World Wrestling Federation and became the character which he was most associated.

WWF owner Vince McMahon brought in moody to manage a new superstar, The Undertaker, after then-superstar “Ravishing” Rick Rude mentioned his former manager. Playing off his background in the funeral industry, WWF rechristened Moody as Paul Bearer. From February 1991 through August 1996, the two were inseparable, as they became one of the most recognizable manager-superstar combinations in the history of the World Wrestling Federation. At SummerSlam 1996, Bearer turned on The Undertaker and joined forces with Mankind (Mick Foley). Later, Bearer managed Vader and The Executioner (the late Terry Gordy) before siding with The Undertaker’s brother – Kane. Throughout the Attitude Era, Bearer was a fixture of WWF television as his involvement in the constant feuding between The Undertaker, Kane, and Mankind led to some of the more memorable moments for wrestling fans of that era. Moody retired from full-time managing in 2000 after WrestleMania 2000.

Moody briefly worked with TNA Wrestling in 2002 and 2003 as Percy Pringle, III before returning to the WWE in 2004 alongside the returning Deadman gimmick of The Undertaker as Paul Bearer. WWE wrote off Bearer’s character when The Undertaker buried him alive in cement at the June 2004 Great American Bash. Bearer returned for a final run in 2010, this time alongside Kane, in his rivalries with both The Undertaker and Edge on SmackDown. WWE wrote Bearer off television after suffering injuries from a great fall accidentally at the hands of Kane. His final appearance with the company was in 2012 when both Randy Orton and later Kane locked Bearer inside a storage freezer while strapped to a wheelchair. 

Moody, as Paul Bearer, alongside The Undertaker in WWF

When I think of Paul Bearer, I do not like to think of the crash test dummy that WWE turned his character into in the final years of his career. I love to think of the manager I grew up watching; the ghoulish and macabre man in black clutching an urn while screaming “Ohhhhhh Yes!”. It was over-the-top and campy but in a fun way not insulting to my intelligence then as a child or now as an adult. I loved it. 

In the last 24 hours, I have only read comments that mirror what I heard over 20 years regarding William Moody. He was a kind, generous, funny, caring man with a love for his family, friends, and the wrestling business. Under the monikers of Percy Pringle, III and Paul Bearer, Moody achieved something in 58 years that most of us only dream of – immortality. Rest in Peace, Mr. Moody, and thank you for everything.