Profile last updated by: David Buckler

Paul Bearer

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[Paul Bearer GALLERY]

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

  • 1972: William Moody was a product of Mobile’s Catholic School system, and later graduated from the McGill Institute..
  • ~~~William Moody enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, TX..
  • ~~~William Moody is also a legitimate licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer!
  • 1976: William Moody recieved his honorable discharge from the Air Force, and went straight into a Funeral Director/Embalmer job..

Getting Into The Business:

  • William Moody became a front-row regular at Gulf Coast Wrestling events in Mobile, Alabama while growing up..
  • ~~~William Moody got to know many of the wrestlers, as well as the front office personnel..
  • William Moody got his foot in the door by becoming a ringside photographer, taking photos for the programs and national magazines!
  • June 1974: William Moody made his wrestling debut, wrestling as “Mr. X” (under a mask) in Greenville, AL
  • ~~~William Moody continued to wrestle on the southern independant circuit as Mr X, and even went by “The Embalmer”..

Percival Pringle III – Take 1:

  • April 1977: William Moody began his managerial career as Percy Pringle III under promoters George Culkin and Frankie Cain..
  • ~~~The promotion was based out of Mississippi and was called “International Championship Wrestling”..
  • ~~~Frankie Cain (the booker) was the one who gave William Moody the name “Percy Pringle III”..
  • July 1979: William & Dianna Moody welcomed their first son, Michael, into the world and William came to a realization..
  • William Moody quit wrestling full time, and returned to the funeral profession and college..
  • William Moody graduated on The Dean’s List, he received a Degree in Mortuary Science..
  • William Moody also earned his his Funeral Director/Embalmer’s Certification from San Antonio College..

Percival Pringle III – Take 2:

  • 1984: Percy Pringle III returned to wrestling full time, turning up the “flamboyance” of his character..
  • Percy Pringle III became a regular in Florida Wrestling as well as Fritz von Erich’s World Class Wrestling Association..
  • Percy Pringle III managed Rick Rude, The Assassin, Blackjack Mulligan, Matt Borne, Buzz Sawyer, Eric Embry and many others..
  • ~~~Also managed The Great Kabuki, Lex Luger, The Dingo Warrior, “Sugar Bear” Harris, and even Steve Austin!

World Wrestling Federation – The Undertaker:

  • December 22, 1990: William Moody joined the WWF and would be known as “Paul Bearer” a creepy heel manager..
  • Paul Bearer was given the opportunity to manage one of the fastest growing characters in the WWF, The Undertaker!
  • March 24, 1991 – WrestleMania 7: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka..
  • April 27, 1991 – SMME: Paul Bearer wheeled a casket down to ringside during a match between Ultimate Warrior & Sgt Slaughter..
  • ~~~A few minutes later, The Undertaker popped out of the casket and attacked The Ultimate Warrior..
  • ~~~Hulk Hogan ran down to make the save, but his shots had no effect on The Undertaker..
  • Feburary 20, 1992: Jake Roberts confronted The Undertaker on an episode of Paul Bearer’s Funeral Parlor…
  • ~~~Jake Roberts jammed The Undertakers hand into the lid of a coffin and repeatedly whacked him with a chair!
  • April 5, 1992 – WrestleMania 8: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Jake “The Snake” Roberts..
  • ~~~Jake Roberts hit TWO simoltaneous DDTs on The Undertaker and then went after manager Paul Bearer..
  • ~~~The Undertaker sat up and tombstoned Jake Roberts on the floor and rolled him back in the ring for the win!
  • August 29, 1992 – Summerslam: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Kamala..
  • November 24, 1992 – Survivor Series: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Kamala in a Casket Match..
  • April 4, 1993 – WrestleMania 9: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Giant Gonzales w/Harvey Wippleman by DQ..
  • ~~~Giant Gonzales rendered The Undertaker unconsious with a rag soaked in Chloraform..
  • ~~~The Undertaker woke up while being stretchered out, and cleared Giant Gonzales out of the ring!..
  • August 30, 1993 – Summerslam: The Undertaker defeated Giant Gonzalez w/Harvey Wippleman to regain posession of the urn..
  • ~~~Harvey Wippleman tried to pick a fight with Paul Bearer but got knocked out cold with one punch!
  • ~~~Paul Bearer once again took posession of the urn which helped the The Undertaker recover and win the match!
  • August 29, 1994 – Summerslam: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated The Undertaker w/Ted DiBiase..
  • ~~~Ted DiBiase brought down his Evil Undertaker — played by one of Undertaker’s “real life” friends — Brian Lee..
  • ~~~The lights began to flicker (simulating thunder and lighting) and The REAL Undertaker finally made his entrance..
  • ~~~The REAL Undertaker tombstoned The Evil Undertaker and pinned him, then rolled him into a casket!
  • January 22, 1995 – Royal Rumble: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Irwin R. Schyster w/Ted DiBiase..
  • ~~~After the match, King Kong Bundy went eye to eye with the Undertaker while IRS attacked Paul Bearer and stole the urn!
  • ~~~~~~~~~~~King Kong Bundy repeatedly splashed The Undertaker’s lifeless body..
  • April 2, 1995 – WrestleMania 11: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated King Kong Bundy w/Ted DiBiase..
  • ~~~The Undertaker regained control of the urn but it was once again stolen, this time by Kama..
  • March 31, 1996 – WrestleMania 12: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel in a Grudge match..
  • August 18, 1996 – Summerslam: Mankind defeated The Undertaker in the first ever Boiler Room Brawl match..
  • ~~~Paul Bearer turned on the Undertaker, bashing him over the head with the urn, and handing it over to MANKIND!
  • November 16, 1996 – Survivor Series: The Undertaker defeated Mankind with Paul Bearer suspended in a Cage above the ring..
  • ~~~Afterwards, Paul Bearer was lowered from the Cage but the Executioner (Terry Gordy) ran in to make the save!

World Wrestling Federation - Post Undertaker:

  • Paul Bearer turned on the Undertaker, to manage Kane (Undertaker’s little brother) who was revealed to be Paul Bearer’s son!
  • March 29, 1998 – Wrestlemania 14: The Undertaker defeated Kane w/Paul Bearer in a “Brother vs Brother” grudge match..
  • 1998: Paul Bearer was named 1998 Manager Of The Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine..

World Wrestling Federation – The Undertaker:

  • February 22, 1999 – RAW: Public Enemy defeated Edge & Gangrel w/Christian by DQ (PE got a blood bath after the match)..
  • ~~~Backstage, The Undertaker disciplined The Brood for failing him by ordering the Ministry to beat them up!
  • ~~~In the Main Event: The Undertaker defeated Kane in an Inferno match after Kane’s leg was lit on fire!
  • ~~~~Paul Bearer delivered a teddy bear to Vince McMahon at ringside which belonged to his daughter Stephanie McMahon..
  • ~~~~After the match, The Undertaker approached Vince McMahon and set the teddy bear on fire, bringing Vince to his knees!
  • March 1, 1999 – RAW: Mankind defeated The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer by Count Out..
  • April 26, 1999 – RAW: The Undertaker had an “Unholy Wedding” to Stephanie McMahon, who was strapped to the Symbol..
  • ~~~Stephanie McMahon screamed in terror as Paul Bearer hosted the ceremony with the Ministry standing by..
  • ~~~Ken Shamrock and The Big Show tried to stop the ceremony but they were both taken out by the Ministry..
  • ~~~Finally Stone Cold Steve Austin showed up as the unlikely hero and rescued Stephanie McMahon from the situation..
  • ~~~Stephanie McMahon embraced Steve Austin until Vince McMahon showed his appeciation to his mortal enemy for helping
  • May 3, 1999 – RAW: The Big Show defeated The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer by DQ (Undertaker used ether on Big Show and shattered a baseball bat over his head!)..
  • May 10, 1999 – RAW: The Big Show vs Paul Bearer ended in a No Contest (The Big Show called out The Undertaker)..
  • ~~~Main Event: Steve Austin & The Rock & Vince McMahon beat Shane McMahon & Undertaker & HHH (HBK as referee)..
  • June 27, 1999 – King of the Ring: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated The Rock to retain the Heavyweight title..

World Wrestling Entertainment – Part Time:

  • William Moody decides to move on from portraying an on air character, he was added to the WWE.COM staff as a journalist..
  • 2001: William Moody’s wife, Dianna Moody, is diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and undergoes surgery on August 2, 2001..
  • September 2002: William Moody announces that he will be leaving the WWE to care for his wife..
  • October 14, 2002: William Moody’s contract runs out and he is officially gone from the WWE..
  • William Moody decides to retire from the business instead of renewing his WWE contract..

NWA: Total Nonstop Action:

  • December 4, 2002 – NWA:TNA: Paul Bearer (as Percy Pringle III) appeared at the end of the show shocking everybody!
  • January 8, 2003 – NWA:TNA: Percy Pringle III gave a one-on-one sitdown interview about his wrestling career..
  • January 15, 2003 – NWA:TNA: Percy Pringle III came out and asked to join S-E-X, but got a beat-down instead..
  • April 19, 2003 – All Access Wrestling “Full House”: PP3 cut a promo on the show that put over Kevin Northcutt & Joe Kane..

World Wrestling Entertainment – Back in the WWE:

  • March 14, 2004 – Wrestlemania XX: The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer) returned using the DEADMAN gimmick and defeated Kane!
  • May 16, 2004 – Judgment Day: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated Booker T with a tombstone piledriver..
  • May 27, 2004 – SD!: Paul Bearer was abducted by the Dudley Boyz and thrown into the trunk of a car and taken away!
  • June 10, 2004 – Smackdown: The Undertaker shocks the World as he bows down to Paul Heyman recognizing the power of the urn..
  • June 27, 2004 – Great American Bash: The Undertaker defeated The Dudley Boyz in a “Live Free or Die” match..
  • ~~~As a result, Paul Heyman pulled a switch which was to bury Paul Bearer in concrete cement but LIGHTNING struck!
  • ~~~The Undertaker made his way to the stage and said “I have no other choice” before pulling the switch and “killing” his manager!
  • April 11, 2005: Paul Bearer is given his 90-Day notice by WWE Talent Relations to terminate his contact..
  • September 9, 2005–Chaotic Wrestling: Nick Logan beat Andre Lyonz in a Casket match with Percy Pringle III at ringside..
  • October 2, 2005 – ROH: Paul Bearer made an unadvertised appearance and appeared in the ring with Commissioner Jim Cornette..
  • November 6, 2005–Iron Ring Wrestling: Legion w/Percy Pringle III defeated Tracy Smothers..
  • December 16, 2005–Vince Russo’s Ring of Glory: Percy Pringle III played heel manager for the duration of the event..
  • March 7, 2006: Paul Bearer made a non-televised in-ring appearance to welcome the fans to a TV Taping in Mobile, AL..
  • April 7, 2006–National Wrestling Superstars: Kamala w/Percy Pringle III defeated Sal Sincere w/King DoIStink..
  • August 5, 2006–WWE Live Event (SD! crew) in Mobile, Alabama: Mike “The Miz” Mizanin introduced WWE Legend Paul Bearer..
  • May 16, 2007: Percy Pringle announced that his Gulf South Wrestling promotion is being shut down..
  • August 22, 2008–American Championship Wrestling: Percy Pringle III managed Aeon Flexx in the ACW Title Tournament..
  • September 12, 2008–American Championship Wrestling: Marcel Pringle defeated Percy Pringle III in an Arm-Wrestling match..
  • October 24, 2008–ACW: Aeon Flexx w/Percy Pringle III defeated Tony Love to win the ACW Heavyweight title in Alabama..
  • ~~~Ryan Fury w/Marcel Pringle defeated Dominion w/Percy Pringle III by DQ. Percy Pringle was handcuffed to Marcel Pringle..
  • February 2, 2009: Dianne Moody, the wife of William “Paul Bearer” Moody, passed away..
  • April 24, 2010–Millenium Wrestling Federation: The Iron Sheik & Jay Lethal defeated “Stalker” Dylan Kage w/Paul Bearer..
  • ~~No DQ/Countout Match ending when Sheik made Kage submit to the camel clutch on the floor in the Sheik’s retirement match..
  • ~There was a huge celebration with the locker room hitting the ring after the bout to honor the Sheik! [www.bostonwrestling.com]

World Wrestling Entertainment – The Undertaker vs. Kane (Hell in a Cell):

  • Summer 2010: Kane began feuding with the Undertaker again, with Kane stealing all of Undertaker’s powers and dominating him..
  • September 19, 2010–Night of Champions: Kane defeated The Undertaker by reversing a Tombstone into a Tombstone of his own!
  • September 24, 2010–SmackDown!: Kane said he destroyed Undertaker’s body on Sunday and now he will destroy his legend and soul..
  • ~~~Kane challenged Undertaker to a Hell in a Cell match (a casket was rolled down to the ring and Paul Bearer popped out with an urn!)
  • ~~~~~The lights went out and Taker appeared behind Kane… Kane retreated and freaked out at the return of his father in Taker’s corner..
  • October 1, 2010–SmackDown!: The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer defeated C.M. Punk in a squash match with the Tombstone Piledriver..
  • ~~~~~~~Later that night, the Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) showed up and over-powered Kane – causing the big red machine to run away!
  • October 3, 2010–Hell in a Cell: Kane defeated The Undertaker in a brutal Hell in a Cell match to retain the World Heavyweight title..
  • ~~~Manager Paul Bearer turned on the Undertaker, shining a light in his eyes, and helping his son Kane successfully defend his title!

World Wrestling Entertainment – The Undertaker vs. Kane (Buried Alive):

World Wrestling Entertainment – Edge vs. Kane (Survivor Series):

  • November 12, 2010–SmackDown!: The Big Show defeated World champion Kane in a Non-title match after distraction from Edge..
  • ~~~Edge abducted Paul Bearer and wheeled him out to the stage during the match and taunted/distracted Kane into a Non-title loss!
  • November 19, 2010–SmackDown!: Edge continued to hold Paul Bearer hostage and tortured him all night to get inside Kane’s head..
  • November 21, 2010–Survivor Series: World Heavyweight champion Kane vs. Edge ended in a double-pin draw (Paul Bearer was absent)..

World Wrestling Entertainment – World Heavyweight champion Kane vs. Edge vs. Rey vs. Alberto (TLC PPV):

  • November 26, 2010–SmackDown!: Edge continued to hold Paul Bearer hostage and tormented Kane into giving him another title shot..
  • ~~~Edge lured Kane out to the parking lot where he watched his father Paul Bearer in a wheel-chair get run over by a car driven by Edge!
  • ~~~It turned out to be a dummy and the real Paul Bearer was still tied up in the back seat of Edge’s car as it sped off into the darkness.
  • December 3, 2010–SmackDown!: Edge defeated Kane in a “Winner Chooses The Stipulation at TLC” match – (he chose a TLC match)
  • December 10, 2010–SmackDown!: Rey Mysterio & World champion Edge defeated Kane & Alberto Del Rio in a preview main event match..
  • ~~~Edge lured Kane backstage for more torment resulting in Kane “accidentally” pushing Paul Bearer off a ledge to his storyline “death”.

William Alvin Moody:

  • William Moody passed away on March 5, 2013.
  • William Moody was set to receive the Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement award from the Cauliflower Alley Club in April 2013.