Paul Bearer

[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 and 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 and 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 disqualification.
• ~~~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 and Gangrel w/ Christian by disqualification (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 disqualification (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 and The Rock and Vince McMahon beat Shane McMahon and Undertaker and 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 and 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 and 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):

• October 8, 2010 – SmackDown: Paul Bearer and Kane added insult by bragging about what they pulled on the Undertaker at Hell in a Cell.
• October 15, 2010 – SmackDown: Paul Bearer and Kane did some more bragging until Undertaker showed up and set up a Buried Alive match!
• October 24, 2010 – Bragging Rights: Kane w/ Paul Bearer defeated Undertaker in a Buried Alive match to retain the World Heavyweight title.

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 and World champion Edge defeated Kane and 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”.

Independent Circuit:

• February 4, 2012 – NWA from Hollywood: Willie Mack defeated Shaun Ricker (w/Percy Pringle III).
• February 11, 2012 – NWA from Hollywood: Shaun Ricker (w/Percy Pringle III) defeated Eric Cross.
• January 27, 2013- CWFH: Shaun Ricker (w/Percy Pringle III) defeated Biggie Biggz.
• February 3, 2013 – CWFH: Mikey O’Shea defeated Shaun Ricker (w/Percy Pringle III) in a lumberjack match.

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.
• April 2014 – William Moody will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2014 the night before WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans, LA.