10 Things You Didn't Know About Paul Bearer

2. WWE Saved His Life

Moody left the WWE in 2002 to take care of his wife, who was suffering from a form of cancer. The medical treatments necessary soaked up all of the couple€™s savings, and the Moodys found themselves in danger of losing their home. In addition to that, in the time he took off the road, his weight - already an issue - grew to huge proportions. By October 2003, when the WWE called asking if Paul Bearer fancied a return to television, Moody was forced to say no. His financial position was such that he was desperate for the work€ but he weighed over 500 pounds, and could barely stand on his own two feet, let alone travel the loop again. His wife, his weight and health, the money: Moody€™s situation was such that, pure and simple, he was ready to die. It was then that, informed of his position, the WWE stepped in and simply asked what they could do to help. Moody advised them that emergency (and expensive) gastric bypass surgery might be his only shot at returning to a manageable weight. Without missing a beat, the company agreed to foot the bill as a gift to him. The surgery took place in November 2003, just before Thanksgiving. Spin ahead a year afterward, and Moody had lost over 200 pounds. For the first time in years, he weighed less than 300 pounds: and the effect on his life and his health was astonishing. From all reports, he regained his zest for life and his innate positivity. It€™s not often I get to tell such a cheerful story: as a wrestling writer, I€™m usually all over articles about booking gone wrong and the shortsightedness of €˜creative€™ (whoever they are). It€™s nice to be able to tell a story about simple, unvarnished generosity turning a man€™s life around, for a change. Even better, this story isn€™t generally told by WWE, or by WWE personnel. No, this is one that Moody and his own friends told everyone else, the company themselves retaining a dignified silence on the subject.