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| Rest in peace Photo Credit: WWE.com |
William Moody, better known to wrestling fans over the years as Percy Pringle III or more famously Paul Bearer, has passed away. He was 58 years old. No cause of death has been announced yet, but he has struggled with health problems over the years, including his weight and his gallbladder. In my opinion, 58 is way too young to die anyway.
Moody broke into wrestling in his native Alabama in the '70s, but he quickly turned to managing, where he gained a niche in the South managing the likes of The Mongolians, Rick Rude, The Ultimate Warrior, and Steve Austin. His biggest break came when he was rechristened Paul Bearer and paired as the mouthpiece for an imposing wrestler named the Undertaker. From there, he spent the next 20 years bouncing around the WWF/E as both manager and adversary for Taker at times. He was also associated with Mick Foley as Mankind, and most importantly, Kane. His relationship (in character, as a father) to the Big Red Monster was a tumultuous one, as he was often used as danger bait. His character has been encased in concrete, frozen in a meat locker, and dropped off a high stairwell, just as a sampling.
When not appearing in WWE, Moody, as Pringle, would have dalliances in the indies, most famously for Championship Wrestling of Hollywood for the team of Shaun Ricker and Brian Cage, Natural Selection. He is remembered as one of the nicest men in the professional wrestling industry, a man who had time for everyone, no matter what their walk in life.
Interestingly enough, Moody was also a licensed mortician and embalmer, and in fact interrupted his early wrestling career to pursue those interests.
Moody is survived by his two sons. I offer his family and friends my sincerest condolences. I can say that as one the millions of fans mourning him this morning, our pain probably doesn't come close to that those who were close to him are feeling right now. Rest in peace, William Moody.