Sad news from the professional wrestling world tonight, as the owner of the Funeral Parlor has passed away.
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. (via WWE.com)
Paul Bearer was one of the weirdest and most unforgettable characters in wrestling history, and the only way I can think of to honor is memory is to share some of the reasons why. Here's a collection of Bearer videos and pictures, which are best viewed alongside the very true fact that he'll be in our heads (and hearts) forever.
[videos via YouTube, photos via Online World of Wrestling]
Royal Rumble 92. Bearer goes off on one of his bizarre rants, and just before the camera zooms in on the Undertaker, you can see him laughing to himself. This is the best Paul Bearer clip, I think.
The best-ever Paul Bearer Undertaker entrance, from SummerSlam 94.
On 'Live With Regis and Kathie Lee.' Yes, this is as good as you hope it'll be.
At Home with Paul Bearer.
Paul's 2000 return, alongside a returning Kane. Jim Ross is so awesome in this clip.
Paul's big WWE return in 2010.
Here are a few episodes of "The Funeral Parlor," because oh man, these were great.
A little pre-Paul Bearer Percy Pringle, who was also pretty great.
Paul Bearer managing the Undertaker, long before either of them was them.
Rest in peace, Mr. Moody. There won't be another you.
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One of two guys to legit give me the creep when he first debuted…the other being Brother Love. RIP.
Wow, this seemingly came out of nowhere. Did he have a known medical condition? I’m legit bummed by this news…one of the best managers to ever grace the WWE.
Lawler tweeted a picture he took with him 10 days where he seemed fine.
He was never exactly the healthiest guy in the world.
He was over 300 pounds and was 58. That’s never a good combination.
One of the all-time great managers. RIP.
This is sad. He was terrific. RIP.
Super sad by this, Pringle/Bearer was great at basically everything he did. (Also, good God, did the WWF really have to use Terry Gordy as “The Executioner?”)
I remember reading that Glenn Jacobs was originally chosen for that role, but The Undertaker couldn’t throw him around and dominate him like he was supposed to.
Jacobs then went on, of course, to have a much cooler character.
His facial expressions alone were the best.
He legitimately creeped me out when I was a kid. RIP
My vote for Favorite Photo is the the mirror shot. Outstanding.
So, so, so bummed. What an incredible talent. Fully committed to his character. He should’ve been in the Hall Of Fame by now.
I imagine they were waiting for Taker to finally retire before they put in Paul Bearer.
:(
When I got into wrestling, I thought Paul Bearer was the creepiest guy out there. That voice was terrific. Very sad to see him go.
Paul Bearer is everything right about a character in the WWE. He committed to his roll 110% and he was brilliant at it. Very sad to know he won’t be on my tv anymore.
Growing up watching wrestling, we all know and remember Paul Bearer, Even when it was behind the scenes stuff, you couldn’t help but smile at the familiar face. I wish I could have met him. I hope nothing but the best for his family.
I never thought that Paul Bearer’s voice was a slightly different version of Mickey Mouse’s, but in that Regil and Kathy clip, yes. Paul Bearer sounds like a demented Mickey.
On a serious note, if I never got back into this stuff as an adult (thanks Brandon!), you bet your ass that Paul Bearer would be one of, if not the, most vivid memory of that era. RIP.
Also, The Ultimate Warrior may of been the other most vivid childhood memory. The Funeral Parlor moment with The Ultimate Warrior, Paul Bearer, along with Macho Man on commentary, was…phenomenal.
Top 5 managers of all time for sure.
RIP
@page10: The Big Bossman is the most successful branch on Bucky Boyd’s family tree.
Not to be confused with Tree.
RIP. What a fantastic weirdo. Thanks for the creeps, friend.
I smiled the whole way through that IRS video. Rest in peace to a highly entertaining wrestle-person.
Holy hell, I don’t think I’ve ever been as satisfied with myself as Paul looked at 2:33 of the Kane returns video.
I just watched the wrestling doc Card Subject to Change, he was slightly featured in it. It was so weird seeing him more or less out of character. Seemed like a really awesome guy who legit loved pro-graps.
So sad. By all accounts, a great man.
Oh man, this legitimately bummed me out. I can’t believe he’s not in the Hall of Fame. Add him to this already Legendary Hall of Fame Class, Damnit!
I guess Undertaker and Kane are going to have extra motivation in their Wrestlemania match.
Wow. I was devastated to hear about this. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Moody at a Championship Wrestling From Hollywood taping and he had agreed to an interview for a documentary I’m working on at next month’s Cauliflower Alley Reunion. Condolences to his family.
He was 58-59 years old. Jesus Christ.
Is #22 from Summerslam ’94ish with both Undertakers?
Most likely.
I knew who Paul Bearer was before I knew what a pallbearer was. Really a one of a kind, and that he was able to make such a ridiculous character work in so many variations for so long is a real testament to his talent. RIP.
Man, what shitty news to wake up to. Percy’s facial expressions were arguably the best in the history of the sport, and those classic outfits he wore while patrolling ringside at the Dallas sportatorium were priceless. RIP sir, you gave us fans some wonderful memories.
Is it weird that all I can think of is the storyline implications for the already shaky morale of Team Hell No?
I’m going to thoroughly enjoy looking at this stuff. thanks.
RIP Paul Bearer (William Moody), you shall be sorely missed.
The Undertaker’s return at WrestleMania XX was made 1000x better by having Paul Bearer’s “Ohhhh yes!” play over the speakers before his music hit, and by having Bearer walk him to the ring. That match was not very good, but it was the PERFECT way to bring back the “Dead Man” Undertaker. Probably my favorite Paul Bearer moment, simply for how much my brother and I marked out for it when it happened.
His ability to stay in character during the Regis clip was outstanding. He’ll be missed.
I remember that Regis & Kathy Lee segment. I was really pissed off at Kathy Lee for mocking everything. And The Funeral Parlor was one of my favorite interview segments. Take note, MizTV of crap.
Seriously though, the “Universe” is a sadder place without Paul in it. Class act.
It was nice to see him pop up every now and then on Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. PPIII gave me the creeps just like Paul Bearer did when I was a kid and for that, I thank him.
Great manager and seemed like a great guy. He’ll be missed. Rest in peace.
Wish I watched wrestling when Paul was in his prime. RIP Paul Bearer
One of the greatest to ever do it, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
A great manager and a great legacy in and out of the ring. RIP
Just a brilliant wrestling personality and a true one of a kind.
I’m less shocked that he died than I am that he’s only a year older than my dad.
Kayfabe be damned I hope Taker and Kane are somehow involved in a tribute to him on Raw. I can’t imagine either of their WWF debuts without Paul Bearer at their side.
Foley too.
If anyone deserves to be in the WWE Hall of Fame its Paul Bearer. He didn’t make the Undertaker, but he was definitely a key ingredient.
PB was an awesome, awesome dude. I don’t know if many of you followed his blog, but all of his stories were about how much he loved his family and his friends. The world has truly lost one of it’s honestly good people. Rest in peace.
RIP Percy Pringle.
Always liked him as Percy Pringle as well. RIP Mr Moody
Oohhhh NNnnooo
My all time favorite manager, this is a sad, sad loss.
He was a great guy, during a Mobile Mystics Game years ago he was there with his nephew and a few kids started yelling shit at him saying the Undertaker was”gonna whip his ass” and he just played along and enjoyed the game once they calmed down. Also my brother rear-ended him and never payed the damages lol.
Was there ever any explanation as to why his urn had some crazy power over Undertaker? That stuff was all right in the sweet spot of my wrestling era, but I cannot remember if they ever explained it
Greatest Manager of all-time IMO!……sad lost…i’m bum out by this news……….Homie played his character better than most Oscar Winners!….#RestInPower
He was amazing. Really shocked and sad that he’s no longer going to be around. RIP