RIP PAUL BEARER

[Karl Kox]

He was a good friend of the family and will be missed.He should have been in the HOF years ago.

[njflex]

rip percival pringle 3rd,,,

[funk51]

rip, i couldn't believe he was only 58?

[polychronopolous]

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).

[Obvious Gimmick]

Sad news. RIP

[OLE BIG]

He always brought a smile to my face.

[Chadwick The Beta]

p.i.p.

[Hulkster]

RIP

[Karl Kox]

Found these today, from 96 I think. RIP

[MCWAY]

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?

[Karl Kox]

He should have been in the HOF already.  In my opinion.

[MCWAY]

He should have been in the HOF already.  In my opinion.

I think next year is better for him. This way his family and friends can be there.

OOOOOOOHHHHHHH YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!

[OLE BIG]

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?

I always like Bearer, but Vince made 'Taker, not Paul Bearer.  I dare say that Vince, at that time, could have "made" almost anyone.  Had Vince not fallen in love with him, I think Ole's prediction might have been spot on.

[MCWAY]

I always like Bearer, but Vince made 'Taker, not Paul Bearer.  I dare say that Vince, at that time, could have "made" almost anyone.  Had Vince not fallen in love with him, I think Ole's prediction might have been spot on.

According to Callaway, when he went to try out for the WWF, McMahon turned him away, saying he had nothing for him. So, he was in a pickle. He was contemplating going back to the bush leagues or perhaps trying his hand at playing pro basketball overseas (as he thought about doing before getting into wrestling).

A few months later, just as he's about to make a move to decide his future, he got a called from the Titan Towers, not only hiring him but referring to him as his new character, "The Undertaker".


The character was cool, but something was missing. Having Brother Love as his manager just didn't quite According to an interview Moody/Pringle did, shortly before he died, they were heavily considering Pringle for the role. But, when the WWF suits learned that he was a real mortician, that sealed the deal.

Percy Pringle became Paul Bearer, debuting on the Brother Love show to take the reigns of the Undertaker. You know the rest.

[OLE BIG]

According to Callaway, when he went to try out for the WWF, McMahon turned him away, saying he had nothing for him. So, he was in a pickle. He was contemplating going back to the bush leagues or perhaps trying his hand at playing pro basketball overseas (as he thought about doing before getting into wrestling).

A few months later, just as he's about to make a move to decide his future, he got a called from the Titan Towers, not only hiring him but referring to him as his new character, "The Undertaker".


The character was cool, but something was missing. Having Brother Love as his manager just didn't quite According to an interview Moody/Pringle did, shortly before he died, they were heavily considering Pringle for the role. But, when the WWF suits learned that he was a real mortician, that sealed the deal.

Percy Pringle became Paul Bearer, debuting on the Brother Love show to take the reigns of the Undertaker. You know the rest.

Oh yeah, he helped for sure, and as I said, I liked him.  I was talking more about 'Taker than Bearer.  I was saying that if Vince doesn't come up with the character for him, Ole just might have been right. 

A very select few guys are just going to make it, no matter what.  The vast majority have someone like Vince create a character for them and for whatever reason, that character takes off.  Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin come to mind.  How many stick with the basic character they started with?  Flair and Michaels come to mind there. 

[njflex]

Oh yeah, he helped for sure, and as I said, I liked him.  I was talking more about 'Taker than Bearer.  I was saying that if Vince doesn't come up with the character for him, Ole just might have been right. 

A very select few guys are just going to make it, no matter what.  The vast majority have someone like Vince create a character for them and for whatever reason, that character takes off.  Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin come to mind.  How many stick with the basic character they started with?  Flair and Michaels come to mind there. 

macho man,luger for most part narcissist was luger real life lol,,rhodes unless masked midnight rider,ultimate warrior was bulked up as dingo warrior in other territory.

[MCWAY]

Oh yeah, he helped for sure, and as I said, I liked him.  I was talking more about 'Taker than Bearer.  I was saying that if Vince doesn't come up with the character for him, Ole just might have been right. 

A very select few guys are just going to make it, no matter what.  The vast majority have someone like Vince create a character for them and for whatever reason, that character takes off.  Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin come to mind.  How many stick with the basic character they started with?  Flair and Michaels come to mind there. 

I don't know about Austin. Remember he was originally the RingMaster. Strangely enough, he acted more like the Austin we know when he was the RingMaster. When he first became "Stone Cold", he acted like an emotionless robot, with DiBiase doing all his talking for him.

It wasn't until he lost that second Carribean Strap Match to Savio Vega (and lost DiBiase, who said he'd leave the WWF, if Austin didn't win), and his subsequent win at the King of the Ring, that Stone Cold became the guy we now know.

And let's not forget about Rocky Maivia. McMahon admitted that character was a bust. Even, when they turned him heel, McMahon admitted that having him join the Nation of Domination was just a minor move.

He certaintly didn't expect "The Rock" to be born from that. Rock's own personality and promos stole the spotlight and the Nation right from under Faarooq.

[njflex]

I don't know about Austin. Remember he was originally the RingMaster. Strangely enough, he acted more like the Austin we know when he was the RingMaster. When he first became "Stone Cold", he acted like an emotionless robot, with DiBiase doing all his talking for him.

It wasn't until he lost that second Carribean Strap Match to Savio Vega (and lost DiBiase, who said he'd leave the WWF, if Austin didn't win), and his subsequent win at the King of the Ring, that Stone Cold became the guy we now know.

And let's not forget about Rocky Maivia. McMahon admitted that character was a bust. Even, when they turned him heel, McMahon admitted that having him join the Nation of Domination was just a minor move.

He certaintly didn't expect "The Rock" to be born from that. Rock's own personality and promos stole the spotlight and the Nation right from under Faarooq.

great points,,this is the wrestling i like the character formation,,,and change characters from bust to boom or vice versa..

[funk51]

I don't know about Austin. Remember he was originally the RingMaster. Strangely enough, he acted more like the Austin we know when he was the RingMaster. When he first became "Stone Cold", he acted like an emotionless robot, with DiBiase doing all his talking for him.

It wasn't until he lost that second Carribean Strap Match to Savio Vega (and lost DiBiase, who said he'd leave the WWF, if Austin didn't win), and his subsequent win at the King of the Ring, that Stone Cold became the guy we now know.

And let's not forget about Rocky Maivia. McMahon admitted that character was a bust. Even, when they turned him heel, McMahon admitted that having him join the Nation of Domination was just a minor move.

He certaintly didn't expect "The Rock" to be born from that. Rock's own personality and promos stole the spotlight and the Nation right from under Faarooq.

don't forget austin was also one of the hollywood blondes and superstar steve austin in old ecw.

[MCWAY]

don't forget austin was also one of the hollywood blondes and superstar steve austin in old ecw.

We're talking about the old WWF. You know how McMahon used to be. It was as if the wrestlers didn't exist before they came to the WWF (except for Ric Flair).

That's why his gimmicks, for better or worse, tend to stick. Case in point, this very thread.

William Moody will be forever known as Paul Bearer, not Percy Pringle (for better).

Terry Taylor will be the "Red Rooster", until the day he dies (for worse).

[OLE BIG]

I don't know about Austin. Remember he was originally the RingMaster. Strangely enough, he acted more like the Austin we know when he was the RingMaster. When he first became "Stone Cold", he acted like an emotionless robot, with DiBiase doing all his talking for him.

It wasn't until he lost that second Carribean Strap Match to Savio Vega (and lost DiBiase, who said he'd leave the WWF, if Austin didn't win), and his subsequent win at the King of the Ring, that Stone Cold became the guy we now know.

And let's not forget about Rocky Maivia. McMahon admitted that character was a bust. Even, when they turned him heel, McMahon admitted that having him join the Nation of Domination was just a minor move.

He certaintly didn't expect "The Rock" to be born from that. Rock's own personality and promos stole the spotlight and the Nation right from under Faarooq.

Yeah, exactly what I was saying.  Vince would throw them into different gimmicks until something stuck  Sometimes, they never did, but the ones that did sometimes were big.

Rock just sort of evolved.  His character never really changed, just evolved over time.  At least that is my take, and certainly not as substantial as Austin and others.

Although "Stone Cold" probably fit his actual personality better, I think Austin could have done something with the Hollywood blonde gimmick had the blonde not turned to bald.

[njflex]

We're talking about the old WWF. You know how McMahon used to be. It was as if the wrestlers didn't exist before they came to the WWF (except for Ric Flair).

That's why his gimmicks, for better or worse, tend to stick. Case in point, this very thread.

William Moody will be forever known as Paul Bearer, not Percy Pringle (for better).

Terry Taylor will be the "Red Rooster", until the day he dies (for worse).

matt bourne>doink...

[MCWAY]

matt bourne>doink...

I forgot all about him.

There are others with bad WWF gimmicks that just stick like glue.

Wayne Bloom and Mike Enos, who went from the Minnesota Wrecking Crew II, to being......

Check their jab at the Legion of Doom, after the match......PRICELESS!!!


Of course, I have to include, the nastiest "Beverly Bomb" ever seen.

[littleguns]

Was bearer ever in TNA? Seemed like they did alot for his passing..

[polychronopolous]

Was bearer ever in TNA? Seemed like they did alot for his passing..

Seems like he did a few promos under the Percy Pringle name.