Paul Bearer, the spooky WWE manager who helped introduce The Undertaker, died Tuesday evening at the age of 58. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family. RIP.
Details after the jump…
Via TMZ:
Bearer — real name “Bill” Moody — joined the WWE in 1990 … playing the role of a creepy funeral director who managed various wrestling stars … including Undertaker, Kane, Rick Rude, Vader and Mankind.
The details surrounding Bearer’s death are unclear — but he reportedly suffered from serious health problems over the past decade … including morbid obesity and gallbladder issues.
The WWE released a statement saying … “WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer.”
“Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years. Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans.”
UPDATE FROM TMZ:
Just three days before Paul Bearer died, he complained he was suffering a blood clot … TMZ has learned.
“Cowboy” Bob Kelly — the prez of a prominent wrestling society called the Cauliflower Alley Club — tells TMZ he last saw Paul on March 2nd at a Club reunion.
Bob says Paul was in bad health, with a severe breathing problem. According to people at the event, Bearer was coughing and had trouble standing for long periods of time. He told people he was going to seek treatment for what he called “respiratory issues.”
Bob says Paul went to the hospital immediately following the reunion.
Bob says he was later informed the famed wrestling manager was being treated for a blood clot.
