- Percy Pringle

Born in Mobile, Alabama on April 10, 1954, William Alvin Moody, a.k.a. Percival Pringle III and WWE’s Paul Bearer, recalls that his interest in professional wrestling began at about the age of five.  His parents would take him to the local “Wrestling Live On Channel 5” television tapings.  It was love at first sight.  He remained a wrestling fan throughout his childhood, however it really took off when he received his driver’s license and was able to go to the matches by himself around the Gulf Coast area.  If there was wrestling in town, he was there, becoming a fixture at Mobile’s old Ft. Whiting Armory.  When Gulf Coast Wrestling moved to the Mobile Municipal Auditorium (now known as The Civic Center), Percy moved right along with them, missing only a handful of events in seven years. 

Naturally, Percy eventually got to know many of the wrestlers, as well as the front office personnel.  Four other area young men had the same dreams as young Percival. Coincidentally, they all eventually made it into the wrestling business and three are still active in the business today. “Marvelous” Marcel Pringle, Percy’s cousin, is well known in Gulf Coast independent wrestling circles.  Michael Hayes, one of The Fabulous Freebirds, currently works on the creative team for World Wrestling Entertainment.   Robert Gibson gained fame as one-half of the tag-team known as The Rock and Roll Express and currently wrestles on the independent circuits.   John Frenkle III, known as “Hollywood” John Tatum, retired from the ring and now manages his Family’s business at The Pensacola Florida State Fair.

Since photography was one of his hobbies, Percy got his foot into the wrestling door as a ringside photographer, furnishing photos for the arena program, wrestling magazines and even the Mobile Register newspaper.  As time passed, he picked up a few wrestling lessons from Gulf Coast Wrestling Legends.  “I have many heroes that are now my friends, such as the late Lee Fields and his son Ricky, Terry Lathan, Ken Lucas, Cowboy Bob Kelly, Don Fargo, Mike “The Hippie” Boyette, the late Tony “The Medic” Gonzales, The Wrestling Pro and so many more.”

Percy was educated in Mobile’s Catholic School system, attending St. Dominic’s Elementary School, and graduating from McGill Institute in 1972.  After graduation, Percy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, TX.  He was stationed, at Keesler AFB in nearby Biloxi, MS for the entire four years of his enlistment.  This enabled him to continue his fascination with the world of professional wrestling, along with another occupation that few people are aware of.  Believe it or not, Percy is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer!