http://www.wwe.com/inside/paul-bearer-passes-26096670
This is really sad. Karl Stern was just talking about his life on the latest episode of his show. I imagine either Kane or Undertaker or both will do something to pay tribute to him on RAW, because by all reports he was a tremendously nice guy and well loved.
damn man... this fucking sucks :'(
ReplyDeleteSo lame. RIP
ReplyDeleteHad the privilege of meeting him at a Wildkat show here in New Orleans. He was really friendly and nice to talk too. It's a real shame. RIP.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had just watched a Taker-Mankind match earlier today. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteRIP Bill Moody. My condolences to his family.
The Wrestling world lost a good'n. RIP Paul Bearer :(
ReplyDeleteCheck out his stuff as Percy Pringle in WCCW back in the late 80's for a whole different take on him...RIP Paul.
ReplyDeleteGod damn it.
ReplyDeleteI watched him and Cornette on Youtube telling some awesome stories just last week.
Fuck
Damn I hate to hear that. He played that Paul Bearer character to perfection.
ReplyDeleteI've actually lived my entire life in his hometown, "met" him once at a WWE autograph signing. Very nice guy. Most famous wrestling personality from Mobile, AL I believe (maybe Bob Holly but fuck Bob Holly).
I was literally watching the same shoot the other day too. They were ragging on Sunny and Kevin Dunn
ReplyDeleteCelebrate the good the man did in his all to brief life. OOOOOHHHHH YESSSSSSS!
ReplyDeletePost some great Paul Bearer moments, please. My favorite, albeit a shitty match:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpLDRbPC0a4
ReplyDeleteHe was very good in that role too, pretty underrated...
ReplyDeleteIt was so fucking hilarious. I could of listened to them talk for hours.
ReplyDelete"I Hate Cunts!" ~Paul Bearer
Is there any question that CM Punk is going to use this as ammunition in his feud with the Undertaker? The question is....will he do it this Monday, or will he wait a week?
ReplyDeletePaul bearer was a great manager and he got heat as a face and a heel. Definitely helped get the undertaker over too. Interested to see if punk uses it to get heat.
ReplyDeleteI watched the same shoot interview two weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is too sad to describe, the wrestling world just lost a great person.
R.I.P. William Moody.
Haha that was seriously my favorite part. He ripped Sunny a part
ReplyDeleteHow great would it be if Daniel bryan says he did it to turn on Kane
ReplyDeleteIm guessing it wasnt steroid related....
ReplyDeleteUh, yeah, WWE is never one to dodge things being in bad taste, but I think using someones death in a storyline so soon after it occurred is low ever for them.
ReplyDeleteI always loved the "off camera" interview he does with Jerry Lawler in regards to Taker's mother.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHw026UDKo
Something something involving stealing an urn I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteReally hope I don't sound like an ass, but this to me is more indication of how it's just as important it is to deal with issues of obesity/diet as it is drug problems (Scott Hall and Jake Roberts are within 4 years of Paul Bearer's age, for the record). I've dealt with a couple close deaths in the past year of family/friends in their mid-50s because of what I imagine are similar issues, and it just sucks.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, 1991 and 1992 were the main years for my childhood wrestling memories, and Paul Bearer and The Undertaker are absolutely essential to that, and it's sad to see such a good man go.
Too bad, I liked him.
ReplyDeleteMan, I just don't agree at all that it's low even for them.. It's early Wednesday right now, I think by Monday night it will be plenty enough time for them to come up with something tasteless. Only thing I can envision right now is Punk humping Bearer's tombstone in a graveyard, but who knows.
ReplyDeleteSure, it's cliche, but I'll say in tribute what everyone has said or is thinking....Rest in Peace, Paul Bearer...oooooohhhhhh yeeeeeeeessssss!
ReplyDeleteI like that CAPS LOCK MAN is breaking kayfabe and typing in lower case for this thread.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was soooo crazy as a kid. Shocked me lol
ReplyDeleteThat was the first time I saw him and man was he an awesome heel manager. He provided all of us wrestling fans with great entertainment and for that, I thank him.
ReplyDeleteSo sad because I can remember Paul Bearer being in my life for as far back as I can remember. I literally grew up from 3-11 years old watching him on my TV.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) he might have been a diabetic as well. Being diabetic plus overweight is a terrible combination.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, your not being an ass. I'm overweight and I realize that I really need to get my weight down to a more suitable level or I'm going to end up dieing before my 50's. This is kind of a wake up call for me even though I'm in my 20's.
God Damn this really does suck. He seemed like such a decent guy long as you didn't disrespect him.
From the way it sounds on twitter, Paul Bearer was a pretty beloved guy, I seriously doubt the boys, especially the Undertaker, would go along with pissing on his legacy....
ReplyDeleteNo, because in WWE canon, Paul Bearer is already dead.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/cRtIteEUT3g
That would be tacky as hell. As big of a fan as I am of Bryan, I wouldn't be able to stomach that.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to Paul Bearer's shoot he did with Jim Cornette. The way he tells it, Undertaker wouldn't even let most guys rib Paul and if Paul ever had heat with someone Undertaker would defend him. We'll see the Ultimate Warrior on WWE TV again before we see them do something disrespectful about Paul Bearer for heat I think.
ReplyDeleteThis one elicited a gasp from me. RIP.
ReplyDeleteDamn this sucks...from all accounts, he was a great guy. I never met him but I know people who have, and everybody pretty much says he was a class act. I had just watched the Hart/Taker 1992 match from the Bret set earlier, and was thinking 'I wonder what Bearer is up to these days', logged on here, and...shit. Last time he was on TV, he looked like he had dropped a good deal of weight. What happened?!
ReplyDeleteOne of her feet was in New York and the other was in LA!
ReplyDeleteUm.... Eddie...
ReplyDeleteI agree. Remembering all the shit they (rightfully) took over Orton disrespecting Eddie's memory in that feud with Mysterio, I'd seriously hope they wouldn't stoop that low again.
ReplyDeleteFuck. That was my first reaction upon hearing this. He was always phenomenal as Paul Bearer. I was just watching his shoot with Corny a few days ago. He changed the way I say "Ohhhhh yeeeees" forever. Last picture I saw of him he looked way better than he did back in 2000.
ReplyDeleteMy feelings go out to his family, his friends, and his fans too. One of the great, last managers WWF had.
This really sucks. By all accounts he was a really sweet, old school guy. Taker was really protective of him from the boys, based upon those shoot interviews he did with Cornette recently, I'm sure it's tough for him right now. Damn.
ReplyDeleteI admit I know very little about diabetic issues, which I guess is where I hoped to not come off like an ass. But yeah, I turned 30 a few days ago, and have put on a few pounds the last year and am seeing the need of a decent diet. I think it's just a matter of not getting overly paranoid about it, but also definitely not allowing oneself to get out of control and too obese -- just gathering information of what it takes to stay in basic shape.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I first saw him, as I followed WCCW back in the day.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrorCihArEQ
ReplyDeleteHe came back from that during the Orton/Kane feud after Mania.
ReplyDeleteYeah...same here. I used to be in pretty decent shape (5'8 175) and gained 80 pounds the 1st year I was married. It's taken me 12 years to drop 40 pounds, and diabetes does run in my family. I'm 34 going on 35, and I had a minor stroke 2 years ago..shit, two years ago today. Fuck.
ReplyDeleteHeavens forbid it, but your post makes me think the Ultimate Warrior might possibly have a good shot at beating Undertaker at Wrestlemania 29 or 30. Now that would be nice to see...
ReplyDeleteAs big an Orton fan I was at the time that whole segment made me hate him(and I know it probably wasn't his idea) and not in a "that bad guy pissed me off I wanna see him get his ass kicked" sort of way. But an "I can't believe they said that, fuck them, get him off my screen or I'll turn the channel" sort of way.
ReplyDeleteHere's a pretty awesome photo.
ReplyDeleteBEpwcqtCEAA9Gnd.jpg
And the Edge/Kane feud too right? He got pushed down stairs or something.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was recommended for me on Youtube and I was checking it out.
ReplyDeleteThat World Class story was hilariously gross.
Nah. I doubt we'll get a Miz style "I'm deeply sorry for your loss" type thing either, I expect Punk to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteThere will be a "In Memory of Paul Bearer" an induction into the HoF (probably) and Undertaker and Kane will blow something up.
I actually expect Bryan to have Kane and Taker hug it out before that would happen.
ReplyDeleteBret Hart surrounded by the Kliq!?!
ReplyDeleteYeah, me too.
ReplyDeleteLink fixed. Point still stands, however.
ReplyDeleteDamn it.
ReplyDeleteRIP. One of the most memorable and entertaining guys I've ever seen, particularly when I was growing up as a fan right when Taker was coming into prominence.
ReplyDeleteThere's no question he's going in the HOF now.
ReplyDeleteSo has anyone said WWE HOF 2013' yet? We all know WWE is just shameless enough to do it.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Percival.
ReplyDeletePaul stood out among the likes of Kane, Undertaker, and Mankind, three larger-than-life talents who easily overshadowed most of the performers in their wake. And yet Paul, through his unique characterization and zealous portrayal, remained a memorable character.
ReplyDeleteRIP to a man who carved out his own legendary niche, without ever taking the spotlight from anyone he helped put over.
No Caps......now you know shit is serious.
ReplyDeleteProbably one of the worst ideas in the history of ideas. Whoever thought that was a good idea should be blackballed from the business....
ReplyDeleteWithout him, Undertaker wouldn't have his streak and Kane wouldn't have made it sixteen years and counting. Hell of a manager, by all accounts hell of a nice guy. He deserves HOF.
ReplyDeleteWhoever downvoted that will probably cheer The Undertaker when he does the same thing next week on Raw.
ReplyDeleteHe deserved to go in anyway, so what's the problem?
ReplyDeleteNo, he shouldn't use it for heat. Lawler's heart attack being used for heat was scum-bag level, but actual death? FUCK THAT
ReplyDeleteMoody is part of the reason Taker (and Kane) made it in the industry. I sincerely doubt Punk would be allowed to even hint at this, unless he wants to be rapidly demoted. Because save for The Taker, he's not getting near top of the card for Mania.
ReplyDeleteBummer. Was just talking to a co-worker before RAW on Monday about what the CM Punk-Taker build needed was a Punk visit to the "Funeral Parlor".
ReplyDeleteWay too young. Never been a big fan of UT, but always enjoyed his stuff, including his pre WWF work. Certainly makes me feel like a little chunk of my childhood is gone.
ReplyDeleteI remember when they switched UTs manager from Brother Love and thought they couldn't have picked a better guy to play it.
I'm from nearby Biloxi, MS. I met Percy a few times, he was a great guy. I agree with you about Bob Holly. The one time I met him, he seemed like a total prick.
ReplyDeleteDoes Undertaker ever get over without Paul Bearer? He looked pretty stupid hanging around with Ted Dibiase and Brother Love...
ReplyDeleteWay too young, but also way too heavy. I'm sure that somebody had him in their dead pool.
ReplyDeleteAn absolute, unquestioned legend. Thanks for entertaining me for many years, Percy.
ReplyDeleteRIP Paul, favorite memory was the Raw Hell in the Cell tag match before King of the Ring.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE biloxi, ms... just a great town with some skanky women.
ReplyDeleteIm more creeped out by the fact that Bret Michaels bandana on Shawn Michaels.
ReplyDeleteick.
Sad news for sure!
ReplyDelete"That song would have won a Grammy, but that backstabbing little jackal Shawn Michaels had my vocals turned down in the final mix. The producer told me privately that I had the best baritone he ever heard." -- Bret Hart
ReplyDeleteFavorite Bearer Moment -- Walking out of the darkness in the red blazer at the end of the Dallas 10-man tag to bring Kane out.
ReplyDeleteHottest crowd I've ever seen for a match
ReplyDeleteI suggest everyone track down his Straight Shootin' interviews with Cornette...two of them I believe.
ReplyDeleteOdds on CM Punk using this for a bit of cheap heat next Monday?
ReplyDeleteA Percy Pringle interview from World Class:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo11OAYC9FQ
The summer of 1996 heel turn that affected me most wasn't Hogan's, it was Paul Bearer clocking Undertaker with the urn. Played to absolute perfection.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I loved how he would go so over the top to try and get the Undertaker to corpse mid promo.
RIP Uncle Paul :(
RIP Percy Pringle III
ReplyDeleteOh no! This is tragic. I was just watching his shoot interview last night! Rest In Piece, Percy. You will never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteGet healthy, gents, you may not get a second chance. I mean that in the least condescending way possible. Best of luck, I know it's not easy, but so very worth it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sad for one of the good ones in the business. I don't think it'd be crass at all toto induct him in the HOF this year. Taker making his first HOF appearance to induct him? That'd be really fitting.
ReplyDeleteThe only heelish thing I could see Punk doing here would be to pull a Shooter McGavin and dedicate the Mania match to Bearer.
Same company that brought us "Eddies in hell!!!"
ReplyDeleteThat's what Melanie pillman said too
ReplyDelete... but damn those fries must have been good.
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound like one of those guys, but honestly, give DDPYoga a try. The stuff really works.
ReplyDeleteToo bad it was probably Stephanie McMahon.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE a compilation of outtakes from any of those pre-taped promos.
ReplyDeleteAlready looking into it. Seeing the change it made in Jake Roberts's life was inspirational
ReplyDeleteI met both him and Undertaker at an autograph signing in 1993, and they were awesome. Plus, I asked him about being Percy Pringle, and he acted like he had no idea what I was talking about. Kayfabe, as all the kids say. RIP, Paul.
ReplyDeleteI just read an interview in the Torch that Paul Bearer gave in 2012 in regards to meeting CM Punk when Bearer did that short run in 2010. He claimed Punk was insanely respectful to him, and was shocked to hear Taker refer to Punk as "one of us" as there were few in the back that Taker looked at like that.
ReplyDeleteHe had lost a good deal of weight in recent years.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell are they doing? Also, that's pretty much my childhood wrestling fandom(minus Randy Savage) standing together in the same photo.
ReplyDeleteFrom personal experience:
ReplyDeleteMy knees used to be pretty shot from running all the time. Constant aches, cracking, could barely bend them without pain in order to pick something up off the ground. All gone now.
My back has never felt better, and now actually has muscle definition.
Mind you, I decided to go ballsy and start on the advanced track. But changing your diet little by little goes a long way as well.
At least even.
ReplyDeleteForget probably.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite interviews. he got to display that sense of humor that everyone seems to be talking about today.
ReplyDeletePaul Bearer almost single-handedly over a year of main event storylines between 97 and 98. Taker wins the title at WM 13 but he has no feud, no direction. Several months later, Kane debuts. A few months later, it's WM 14. That whole time and for a few months after 14, Kane never speaks, Taker only does maybe 3 promos - it's all Paul Bearer carrying the load, as his newly ginger 'evil' alter-ego. And he carries the entire fucking load, that whole damn year.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone name me another manager that ever achieved /that/? He was truly great.
Hey, Hero.
ReplyDeleteI use to be a bit over-weight, but did a lot of research and whipped my ass into shape. After helping myself, I've gone on to help a lot of other people as well.
So if you ever want advice, or someone to talk to about it, don't hesitate to hit me up anytime - faucetofslfame@hotmail.com
Here he is a day before being admitted to the hospital.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9oNiUZXwik
He was still quite big but not nearly as much as he was a few years previously. All those years though must've caught up to him.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they'll probably just forget about it. Taker might cut a promo, but that's that.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Paul is old school enough to use his death as an angle.
I've known people with all kinds of weight (and weight related diseases) that have changed their life after seeing this documentary. Highly recommended and it's available on Netflix. http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/&sa=U&ei=Ob83UfykCIHc8wSB9YGYBQ&ved=0CBgQFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFi9bj7MyGPOP_lE4pXKayrGQs4Ww
ReplyDeleteDamn good points. I never thought of it that way, but there's nothing but Paul Bearer moments for Taker, Kane, Foley, and main event feuds for over a year. I don't think I appreciated him enough at the time (and there were SO many quotable moments after he went heel).
ReplyDeleteI think given that Taker was very close with him, how big into respect he is, and they should go to great lengths to not want to piss him off... I don't think we'll see anything distasteful on this one.
ReplyDeleteTaker making his first ever HOF ceremony appearance to indu.ct Paul would be really fitting to honor him.
ReplyDeleteAnd would people be offended if Punk pulled a Shooter McGavin? Doesn't talk shit but gets heel heat by dedicating his match at Mania to Paul? It'd be tasteless but awesome
They'll probably go with their mentality of "Paul would've wanted to be involved in the show going on." Or "he's been involved in worse." Or that usual logic.
ReplyDeleteHell, they used Lawler's mom's death to get heat on the Cole/Lawler feud.
ReplyDeleteLike I said above/below, they used Lawler's mom's death pretty much the first appearance Lawler made back in order to get heat on the Cole/Lawler match. I hope they don't do it, but I wouldn't be shocked in the least.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling you are right. Karma is a bitch and it will eventually catch up with whoever thought that was a good idea.
ReplyDeletelol...
ReplyDeleteThe show going on is fine as long as he isnt being used for cheap heat in a throwaway angle....
ReplyDeleteOdd thought: The Undertaker could be Paul Bearer's paulbearer.
ReplyDeleteWhat match is this? My wrestling memories from the last 10+ years are fuzzy.
ReplyDeleteShortly after the Radicalz debuted in WWF and before No Way Out. So that puts it in February 2000.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1hm0x_10-man-tag-match-on-raw_sport#.UThCTxzU-8A
Honestly think that Undertaker/Kane angle doesn't get enough talk for how good it was. Made a new monster, and I'd venture to say Kane's still over to this day because of that angle.
ReplyDeleteHey! HEY! I'm buff! You will recognize me as Tub of Lesnar! I have tons of internet chicks fawning all over me! I'M BUFF I TELL YOU!
ReplyDelete