10 Ridiculous Wrestling Gimmicks Which Are Actually TRUE

8. Paul Bearer

Paul Bear Mortuary
William Moody

When Alabama mouthpiece William Moody walked into Vince McMahon's office about potential employment in 1990, he'd already been directing heels in the business for the better part of the past 16 years, save a brief hiatus following the birth of his son. It was that family sabbatical - and not his years of experience in the industry - which would inform his defining role.

Moody was recommended to WWE by his WCCW pal and former charge Rick Rude, though his usual moniker 'Percy Pringle III' wasn't an ideal match for McMahon's newest creation, the ghostly Undertaker. Luckily for the veteran manager, he told his prospective new boss that, during his time off, he'd became a qualified embalmer and mortician.

The deal was sealed; from that point, he'd trail the undead Mark Calaway as the ghoulish Paul Bearer - a pun oddly pitched by Road Warrior Hawk. It's hard to believe that, of all the outlandish gimmicks in early-'90s WWE, The Undertaker's was one at least partially dug up from reality.

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Paul Bearer
 
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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.