All the news will put him as "Paul Bearer" with the death announcement but as a kid growing up in the metroplex in the late 80s early 90s he will always be Percy Pringle first and foremost in my mind. What a great time it was when we had him and Skandar Akbar both managing in the area. Discussions about WCCW/USWA were just as big as WWF at elementary school and Percy was kinda like our own Bobby Heenan to a lot of fans.
Actually getting together for a picture with him at a show or signing within the next year or so had been on the back of my mind for a little while now and I can't say that I would want that with any other person in the business(just no interest).
Well, he's been Paul Bearer for over 20 years and is largely responsible for the one of the most awesome wrestlers of all time (so much for Ole Anderson's prediction about Mark Callaway).
Not only that, quite frankly, he and 'Taker pretty much saved Glen Jacobs from utter obscurity, with the Kane character. How else could Jacobs have overcome "The Black Knight" (from Lawler's/Michaels' 1993 Survivor Series team), "Isaac Yankem, DDS", and imitation "Diesel"?
You could argue that Moody was Hall of Fame worthy, before he became Paul Bearer. But, NOW........there's no question.
In fact, on YouTube or the "Internet Wrestling Community" (as it's called), the only debate is WHEN he should be put in the Hall.
Should it be this year, immediately after his death, ala Eddie Guererro?
Or, should it next year, since WrestleMania 30 is in New Orleans, about two hours from Bearer's hometown of Mobile, Alabama?