The wrestling community received heartbreaking news this week as Daniel Moody, son of iconic WWE Hall of Famer Paul Bearer, has passed away at the age of 39. The loss reverberates through an industry where the Moody family name carries profound historical weight.
Moody followed in his father's footsteps into the squared circle, performing on the independent wrestling circuit under the ring name Percy Pringle III—a tribute to his father's original persona. His passing marks another tragic chapter for a family deeply woven into professional wrestling's fabric.
A GoFundMe campaign originally established to help Moody through a significant health crisis following a November medical procedure will now be redirected to cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser highlights the sudden and devastating nature of this loss for his loved ones and fans.
Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers shared a poignant tribute that captures the collective grief. "Daniel was the son of Paul Bearer—a man whose voice, presence, and character became part of wrestling history forever," Stasiak stated. "And like so many second-generation names, Daniel carried that connection with him, while also being his own person in the wrestling world."
Stasiak continued, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the industry: "For those who met him, worked with him, or simply followed along over the years, this one hits on a different level. There's history there. There's family there. And there's a bond to the business that never really leaves. Moments like this remind you how small the wrestling world really is… and how deep those roots go."
This tragedy compounds years of loss for the Moody family. Wrestling manager Paul Bearer, born William Moody, passed away in 2013 from a heart attack, just one year before his posthumous WWE Hall of Fame induction. Daniel's mother, Diana, died in 2009 after battling breast cancer, and his brother Michael passed away in 2014.
The succession of losses has left fans and colleagues reflecting on the family's enduring impact. "The whole family is gone now. Just sad," one supporter commented online, while another added, "Gone too soon. My condolences to his family and loved ones."
Daniel Moody is survived by his daughter, Danielle, who now carries forward the family name. The wrestling world's outpouring of support mirrors how communities rally around legends during difficult times, much like when coaching icons face personal challenges.
As tributes pour in from across the sports entertainment landscape, Moody's passing serves as a somber reminder of wrestling's familial bonds and the legacies that extend beyond the ring. The industry now mourns another member of its extended family, whose story was inextricably linked to one of its most unforgettable characters.
