Boo Blog: Best moments from The Funeral Parlor

Paul Bearer's Funeral Parlor
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The Undertaker made his debut in the WWF at the Survivor Series in 1990. At that point, Brother Love was managing the Dead Man. A couple months later the world met Undertaker's new manager Paul Bearer. The partnership made complete sense and happened ironically on the Brother Love Show.

Not only did Paul Bearer replace Love as Undertaker's manager, but Bearer's Funeral Parlor segment soon replaced the Brother Love Show. The set for this segment was very elaborate. The casket, the eerie light and funeral music all added to the effect. Here are a few of my favorite moments from The Funeral Parlor.

During the spring of 1991, the Ultimate Warrior paid a visit to the Funeral Parlor. Bearer starts the segment off reminding fans of his open invitation to the mortuary. The Ultimate Warrior accepted the invite. Bearer unveiled a casket covered with the Warrior's trademark logo on it. As Warrior and Bearer argued, Undertaker appeared out of another nearby casket. Warrior was assaulted and eventually stuffed into his personalized casket.

The aftermath
Courtesy: WWE

Vince McMahon on commentary is selling the attack in true McMahon fashion. Officials tried in vain to get the casket open as McMahon, Roddy Piper and Randy Savage debated the fate of the Warrior. It took forever, but the casket finally got popped open and the Warrior was unconscious and the lining on the lid had been ripped to shreds. They actually showed CPR being performed and finally, Warrior came to again. 

This attack led to a series of matches between Undertaker and Ultimate Warrior, but the big payoff never really happened. You may remember Warrior fled WWF right after SummerSlam that year and by the time he returned at WrestleMania 8, Undertaker was a good guy. In my fantasy booking mind, I had Undertaker teaming with Sgt. Slaughter and Col. Mustafa against Hulk Hogan and Warrior in the main event, subbing Taker in for Gen. Adnan. Additional fun fact, according to Bruce Prichard, Warrior did not go when officials shopped for the coffin and Road Warrior Hawk was used as the stand-in for the purchase.

Jake, Paul and Undertaker
Courtesy: WWE

Undertaker, Bearer and Jake "The Snake" Roberts had a partnership at one point. But that relationship soured when Jake tried to attack Savage and Elizabeth after a Saturday Night's Main Event. Shortly after that Jake called out Undertaker, locked the urn and Taker's hand inside a casket and then DDT'd Bearer. Jake used a chair on Undertaker until the Dead Man mustered the strength to drag the coffin behind him and chase the Snake away. 

The segment took us to WrestleMania 8 as I mentioned above, where Undertaker beat Roberts. This move solidified Undertaker as a babyface and Jake was soon gone from the WWF. Jake had been on the Funeral Parlor a handful of times before but this was the most memorable and set up the turn for both Bearer and Undertaker.

The Hulkster's visit
Courtesy: WWE

Months after the Ultimate Warrior incident, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan was asked to be on the Funeral Parlor. He was preparing to defend the title against Undertaker at Survivor Series 1991. Before Hogan could even talk, Ric Flair arrived on the scene and the two engaged in a war of words. Just like he did to Warrior, Undertaker came out of a casket and nailed the champ from behind with an urn. He and Flair then put the boots to Hulkster.

Savage & Piper with the save
Courtesy: WWE

In a surprise move, two of Hogan's biggest rivals of all-time, Piper and Savage left commentary with chairs and chased off the heels. Hogan's trademark gold cross was ripped from his neck during the segment too. Days later, Flair would help Undertaker win his first WWF Championship as Hogan lost the "Gravest Challenge." 

Those are just a few of my favorite moments from the Funeral Parlor. Bearer did a great job with the segment and helped tell many memorable stories. What were your favorite memories of this feature?

Talk is Cheap

Miz TV
Monday Night Raw
Photo by WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents

On the September 17th episode of Raw, the WWE introduced us to another "talk show" segment.  This time it's the Miz getting a chance to show off his mic skills.  Miz TV featured SmackDown! general manager Booker T, but of course the show was interrupted by Ryback, who now appears to be in line for an Intercontinental tittle shot against the Miz.

A couple of questions arise.  Is Miz TV going to be a regular feature? Or was this something to introduce Ryback as a challenger to the Miz?  Regardless of the answer, the segment had me thinking back to years ago when I felt this concept was much better served.

Jimmy Snuka in the Pit

I think few people would argue that Piper's Pit is the pinnacle of all wrestling talk shows.  Roddy Piper was without a doubt the best talker in the business at that point and his pit segments account for many of my childhood wrestling memories.  From Jimmy Snuka getting smashed with the coconut to the Haiti Kid getting shaved to the destruction of the Flower Shop, Piper's Pit set a standard that will never be duplicated as far as I'm concerned.

Besides having a great host, a wrestling talk show needs a good set.  Piper's Pit was great.  I liked the set up for shows that followed like the Flower Shop with Adrian Adonis, the Body Shop with Jesse Ventura, and the Funeral Parlor with Paul Bearer.  Now with the Highlight Reel, Miz TV, and The VIP Lounge done in the middle of the ring, it takes something away from the segment.  I guess it's because all (or most) of the wrestling's promos are cut in the middle of the ring.  These shows are then shot in the ring, which to me makes it feel less special.

Back then wrestling had a lot less promos so when there was a segment featuring a couple of guys going at it verbally it meant something.  Or maybe I'm looking at the past through rose colored glasses.

Old School with Gaylor Stephens
AAPW

Cheap plug alert: I'm glad to see All American Pro Wrestling do the talk show concept too.  Appropriately enough, it's called "Old School" and airs on AAPW All Access.  Host Gaylord Stephens is honestly one of the best guys on the mic.  I find this show more entertaining than past shows the WWE put out like The Barbershop with Brutus Beefcake or The Snake Pit with Jake Roberts.  Check out Old School sometime.  You won't be disappointed.

What are your thoughts on wrestling talk shows?  Have they lost their luster?  Am I being too critical?  Weigh in here or on Facebook or Twitter.

Boo: Urning His Way

Paul Bearer (courtesy: WWE)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

Paul Bearer is one of those characters in wrestling you just have to associate with Halloween.  I mean, heck his name is synonymous with death.  He's an interesting character and he just won't go away.  Well, maybe he's gone for good now, but I have a feeling we'll see him again.

Before he was Paul Bearer, I remember William Moody's other alter ego, Perry Pringle, very well.  He was the bleach blond, flamboyant manager of "Ravishing" Rick Rude in World Class Championship Wrestling.  I know Percy had been around before that, but it was in WCCW that I really remember him.  And I despised him.  I despised Rude too.  Back then, I was all faces all the time, and of course Texas wrestling was known for the Von Erichs, whom I marked out for.

Undertaker & Paul Bearer (from WWE)

Eventually though, Percy would leave Texas and by this point, the USWA and head north to the WWF.  It was early 1991, a few months after the Undertaker had made his debut at the Survivor Series the previous November.  At that point, he was managed by Brother Love, which really didn't seem like a logical fit.  Low and behold, Taker's new manager would be introduced.  A rotund figure, with jet black hair and moustache.  His face was pale, and he had dark circles under his eyes. He spoke like a ghoul and wore a dark black suit.  He was Paul Bearer.  And the gimmick was close to his heart, because in real life Moody has a degree in mortuary science.

Warrior & Bearer (WWE)

Obviously the name worked perfectly with the Undertaker.   Paul Bearer carried a big golden urn, which seemed to hold all the Undertaker's supernatural powers.  The two worked so well together.  Paul would help 'Taker after a win and stuff an unconscious opponent into a body bag.  Paul even had his own talk show, "The Funeral Parlor."   It was the scene of the infamous Ultimate Warrior coffin attack.  Taker put the Warrior in a casket during the show, which lead to their feud during the summer of '91.

Eventually Bearer and Undertaker would turn face and feud with the likes of Jake "the Snake" Roberts, Giant Gonzalez, and the Underfaker with Ted DiBiase.  Remember that one?  Ted DiBiase claimed to have the Undertaker in his Million Dollar Corporation, but it turned out to be an impostor (Brian Lee).

Paul Bearer & Mankind (WWE)

In 1996, Bearer turned on Taker and whacked him with his own urn and helped Mankind win the Boiler Room Brawl at Summer Slam.  This started a new era for Bearer as he tried to destroy his former charge.  Mankind, the Executioner, and eventually Vader and Kane all tried.  And they all failed.  Paul's appearance changed in this time period too.  His jet black hair became a more natural color, and he shave the moustache.  With the Kane angle, we learned that he was the brother of the Undertaker and Paul Bearer was the Big Red Machine's father.

Death becomes him...

I don't recall the exact circumstances,  but eventually Paul Bearer and the Undertaker would reunite.  But in 2004, Bearer would suffer the first of a couple of on screen deaths.  The Dudley Boys put him in a cement crypt at the Great American Bash.  But in WWE, anything can happen, and low and behold, Paul Bearer returned to the ring.  This time in 2010 to reunite once again with the Undertaker.  But it was all a swerve and Bearer turned on 'Taker again, helping Kane win their match at Hell in a Cell.

On Edge (WWE)

Kane and Bearer worked together for a couple of months before his character was killed off again.  This time at the hands of Edge.  His character may no longer be on camera with the WWE, but Paul is still a part of the company.  He has a legends agreement with them, so I think it's just a matter of time before we see him again.  Maybe if and when the Undertaker hangs it up for good, we'll see some sort of return.  At the very least, I see Paul Bearer returning for an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame at some point.  It's an honor I feel he deserves. His success as a manager includes leading Taker to the WWF world title.  He also took Kane to the world title, even though it was just a one day reign. Bearer managed Kane and Mankind as tag team champions.  And I guess technically he managed Kane during his second world title reign, even though he didn't take him to the title.  Not a bad list of accomplishments for this macabre character.

Update: William Moody, the man behind the character of Paul Bearer, died on March 5, 2013.  He will be missed.