William Moody aka Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle Passes Away

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 04:25 AM

Source: wwe.com

WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer. Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years.

Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans.

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 04:47 AM

Percy Pringle/Eric Embry was my favourite manager/wrestler pairing.

Rest Easy "Uncle Paul", you have all of eternity, now.

**MartelFlair3** · 03-06-2013, 05:02 AM

Paul Bearer is now reunited with his beloved wife in heaven.

RIP Paul and thank you for all the memories! You will never be forgoten!

**XERO** · 03-06-2013, 05:19 AM

One of the all time great managers. It's sad, man.

**flame3169118** · 03-06-2013, 05:21 AM

Another sad loss for the wrestling world.

RIP Paul, you were one of the best & will be remembered always

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 05:35 AM

The "I Have A Dream" of wrestling promos! The promo that made you want to stand up for yourself and value your worth. The promo that taught you to stand up for others and for what's right, and not be a victim to acts of injustice. This is what helped get me hooked on wrestling, RIP Paul Bearer

**WWE Gary** · 03-06-2013, 07:51 AM

This guy was great . And how sad it is that he passes away so soon after Undertaker Fever sweeps again with Wrestlemania just around the corner.

I don't think I'll ever forget the night at Summerslam 95 when he turned on Taker , hit him with the urn and sided with Mick Foley. I also remember the guy been key in one of the greatest wrestling storylines ever in the weeks leading up to Kane's debut . The nights he showed up on the big screen telling Taker that Kane was still alive . Awesome stuff really . He was the guy that was instrumental in the growth of Mark Calloway becoming one of the greatest superstars in the history of the industry . Who's to say Taker wouldn't have been another one of Vince's flops if the character beside him and that mysterious urn hadn't kept us all watching in awe.

RIP William Moody . Great memories .

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by WWE Gary

I don't think I'll ever forget the night at Summerslam 95 when he turned on Taker , hit him with the urn and sided with Mick Foley.

It was '96, and I cried when he turned against Undertaker

. Years later on an internet radio show where Paul Bearer was guest and I was a member of the audience asking questions (and I told him how I cried), I found out that Bearer had cied too when he got backstage. You can kind of tell that Bearer was a bit emotional when he and Mankind walked back arm and arm, and Bearer turns back and takes one last look at Taker before walking off

.

**WWE Gary** · 03-06-2013, 08:10 AM

Yep ,
96 it was actually . Wonder if it's too late to induct him in the Hall of Fame . Or do we have to wait until next year ?

**WWE Gary** · 03-06-2013, 08:26 AM

Here's an interesting read . Written by William Moody himself .

http://percypringle.com/biography.html

Interesting how he mentions the book he'd co-written on the secrets of Pro Wrestling . I remember reading this a long time back and found it really interesting . Also intereesting tomread how the whole Undertaker/Paul Bearer gimmick came about. Guess they call Vince a creative genius for a reason .

**Goldie79** · 03-06-2013, 08:53 AM

58 isn't particularly old these days.... the same age as Randy Savage when he went.

I'll always associate that gimmick laden era with the likes of Taker and Bearer.
We had Bobby Heenan, Jimmy Hart, Mr Fuji, Slick, Sherri and Paul Bearer all from that same time!

RIP William Moody

**chaoskid** · 03-06-2013, 09:37 AM

a real shame I think he was very under rated as a manager, I hope that RAW does a tribute to him, cause he deserves something

**The Indy Junkie** · 03-06-2013, 11:19 AM

Only a few months in and already Pro Wrestling has lost another good one

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 11:56 AM

Source: Gerweck.net

Via Twitter:

- Mickie James: Very sad to hear that Paul Bearer has passed away tonight… My thoughts, prayers, & heart go out to his family, friends & loved ones… RIP

- Shane Helms: Saddened to hear about the passing of Wrestling Legend @wweURNiverse Glad I got to see ya one last time just recently Paul. Bless your fam.

- The D.O.C: RIP Paul Bearer…one of the good ones, you will be truly missed…

- William Regal: Very sorry to hear of the passing of Paul Bearer.My best wishes to his family.A lovely man and my friend.RIP.

- Dutch Mantel: RIP PAUL BEARER. KNEW HIM SINCE HE STARTED. BOOKED HIM IN HIS FIRST REAL WRESTLING JOB IN FLORIDA. THE BIZ LOST A GOOD ONE TODAY.

- DDP: Sad to hear of the passing of Bill Moody (Paul Bearer)… Not a nicer man in the biz. RIP bro

- Shannon Moore: #PaulBearer RIP what a great man.He will be missed.

- Ohio Valley Wrestling: Rest in Peace William Moody, better known to the wrestling world as Paul Bearer. Paul was a great friend to many OVW trainers & alumni. He will always be remembered as one of the best.

- Ring of Honor: The wrestling world lost a great man today. Rest in peace Paul Bearer. #RIPPaulBearer

- Matt Hardy: It’s very sad to hear about the passing of a great & unique performer, Bill Moody-Paul Bearer. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family.

- Michael McGillicutty: Sad to hear the loss of Paul Bearer. He was always very friendly to me and very passionate about this business. He will be missed.

- Tara: I am deeply saddened to hear that Paul Bearer has passed away. He will be deeply missed. May he rest In peace

- Kazarian: Man… Very, very sad to hear of the passing of William “Paul Bearer” Moody. What a true class act and all around good human being. RIP.

- Triple H: Rest in peace, Paul Bearer. You will never be forgotten. There will never be another.

- Dixie Carter: Our condolences go out to the many family, friends and fans of William Moody. A great performer in our industry.

- Jeff Jarrett: R I P Percy… Love ya my friend…

- Hulk Hogan: Very sad about Paul Bearer,he was a great person and one of the original boys,he was what made wrestling great much love much respect HH

- The Miz: Just found out Paul Bearer died tonight. He was always so nice when I talked to him. My thoughts n prayers are w/ his family #RIPPaulBearer

- Joey Mercury: Very saddened to hear of Paul Bearer’s passing. An extremely gracious & generous man I had the good fortune of knowing.

**Mighty Boosh** · 03-06-2013, 12:56 PM

R.I.P Paul Bearer. Fantastic manager and one of the most entertaining characters of the 90's.

The loss of Paul Bearer is a sad sign that Kane and Undertaker's time is coming to an end.

Where did he get the name Percy Pringle by the way, I thought he only used it very briefly in TNA.

**flame3169118** · 03-06-2013, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mighty Boosh

R.I.P Paul Bearer. Fantastic manager and one of the most entertaining characters of the 90's.

The loss of Paul Bearer is a sad sign that Kane and Undertaker's time is coming to an end.

Where did he get the name Percy Pringle by the way, I thought he only used it very briefly in TNA.

Its the name he used when he was getting started in Southern territories like World Class & its successor USWA as well as the NWA (he even showed up in NWA Hollywood, before the split) where he went by Percival or Percy Pringle III

**darkchaos** · 03-06-2013, 03:00 PM

*Lights go out, the gong sounds, lights come back up and the urn is in the center of the ring with a graphic of Paul Bearer on the screen*

R.I.P. Paul Bearer

**metfan51** · 03-06-2013, 04:21 PM

Very sad indeed as another great wrestling personality passes away at such a young age. He was a great manager and one of the best entertainers the WWE ever had. May he Rest In Peace.

**The Legend Killer** · 03-06-2013, 04:33 PM

RIP, wrestling lost one of the greatest managers n it's entire history, and you will be missed.

**CletusEGW** · 03-06-2013, 07:39 PM

Having met the man on a couple of occasions at indy shows I worked on, I was looking for the right words to describe my feeling. When I came across this post by a good friend of mine by the name of Joey Image, I realized that he said everything I wanted to say, so I decided to repost his original post here.

"People say sometimes that in wrestling you don't really make a lot of true friends, more like a bunch of acquaintances. Those who hold the respect for this business in their hearts, know that it is a brotherhood. Every death hurts just the same, regardless of the type of relationship. I was blessed enough to have met Paul Bearer, worked on a show with him, and had the chance to pick his brain in the locker room. I was no more than an acquaintance to him, since we had only met that one time and only talked a few times on Twitter or via email. But regardless, when I met him in North Carolina (I think it was 2011), he treated me as if I had been a friend for years. The sport of professional wrestling lost one of its' most talented and decorated performers tonight. Rest In Peace, Mr. William Moody, aka Paul Bearer aka Percy Pringle III. I hope you are once again in your loving wife's arms"

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 08:39 PM

Source: WrestleView.com

A variety of mainstream media outlets have covered the news on the passing of Paul Bearer. Here are links to a few of the articles.

TMZ:
http://www.tmz.com/2013/03/05/paul-b...es-bill-moody/

The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-...b_2818854.html

US Weekly:
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-...y-at-58-201363

**Shockage** · 03-06-2013, 08:58 PM

Source: WrestleView.com

Story courtesy of TMZ.com.

PAUL BEARER SUFFERED BLOOD CLOT Before Death

Just three days before Paul Bearer died, he complained he was suffering a blood clot ... TMZ has learned.

"Cowboy" Bob Kelly -- the prez of a prominent wrestling society called the Cauliflower Alley Club -- tells TMZ he last saw Paul on March 2nd at a Club reunion.

Bob says Paul was in bad health, with a severe breathing problem. According to people at the event, Bearer was coughing and had trouble standing for long periods of time. He told people he was going to seek treatment for what he called "respiratory issues."

Bob says Paul went to the hospital immediately following the reunion.

Bob says he was later informed the famed wrestling manager was being treated for a blood clot.

Saturday was the last time Bob spoke to Paul. He was 58.

**will ridge** · 03-06-2013, 09:07 PM

So sad to see. Can't deny that he had one of, if not the best, characters for a manager in the history of the wrestling buisness. I think it really says a lot in the fact that my dad remembers him and he wasn't much of a wrestling fan when I was a kid. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to youtube to see if I can find some of his old Funeral Parlor interview segments.

**Darth Shizzel** · 03-06-2013, 10:39 PM

He was one of the best managers in the game excellent to see on tv and his ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss was a true mark out moment R.I.P William Moody gone but not forgotten.

**Maximo** · 03-06-2013, 11:11 PM

When I saw this my jaw dropped.

The first thing I remember seeing in pro wrestling was the Undertaker and Paul Bearer in their promo at Wrestlemania VII.
Sure it was on VHS but that was the one thing that kept in my head and made me want to see it again because it was that visually memorable.

For such a legend to go, is not unusual, but he was the type of guy who personified the good side of professional wrestling which was making others look incredible whilst still being as entertaining as any body could in a managerial role. maybe even more so. He kept his life balanced in a world were many could not, which was a feat in itself and no one can fault a great man like him. May he Rest in Peace.