Quick Links
When The Undertaker made his WWE debut at the Survivor Series 1990 PPV, it wasn't the late Paul Bearer who accompanied him to the ring. Accompanying him for the first time was Brother Love, who managed him for a short stint until early 1991. For those who don't know, the "Brother Love" character was portrayed by WWE executive and personality Bruce Prichard, who was originally an on-screen character for the company during the late 1980s and early 1990s before returning multiple times. As he was the original manager of The Undertaker before Paul Bearer took his place, some may be wondering what came about Brother Love getting replaced moving forward.
Paul Bearer's Contributions To The Undertaker's Career
When one thinks of the best managers in professional wrestling, Paul Bearer's name gets often mentioned regarding his association with The Undertaker. Throughout the 1990s, Paul Bearer played an integral part in The Undertaker's character. Someone who was like a father figure and one of the few on-screen characters who were close to him, Paul Bearer was beside The Undertaker throughout most of the 1990s.
Because Paul Bearer and The Undertaker's on-screen relationship was personal, there was also a period where the two were heated enemies, stemming from Paul Bearer betraying The Undertaker in favor of his long-time rival Mankind in 1996. However, like most wrestling relationships, Paul Bearer and The Undertaker eventually got back together during the rise of the Ministry of Darkness in late 1998.
Years later, Paul Bearer continued to have The Undertaker's back from time to time, including returning at Wrestlemania 20 when The Undertaker revised his Deadman gimmick. Because of Paul Bearer's contributions to The Undertaker's character and the fact that he was a beloved performer by wrestling fans, he got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.
Why Brother Love Gave Up His Manager Role To Paul Bearer
Although Paul Bearer was obviously the more successful manager of The Undertaker, he wasn't WWE's original choice. When The Undertaker first made his WWE debut, Bruce Prichard, as the controversial Brother Love, was his manager as he accompanied The Undertaker in his first televised WWE match at the Survivor Series 1990 PPV. Brother Love would continue to act as The Undertaker's manager until early 1991, getting replaced by Paul Bearer soon after.
In February 1991, Brother Love introduced Paul Bearer during a "Brother Love Show" segment as his replacement moving forward. According to Bruce Prichard, the Brother Love character stepping down as The Undertaker's manager was his choice. He explained in his Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard podcast that he wanted to focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects in WWE while realizing The Undertaker needed someone who was on the road full-time.
Bruce Prichard Goes His Separate Ways From The Undertaker And WWE
Not long after giving up his manager role to Paul Bearer, Bruce Prichard departed from WWE due to personal reasons. He returned to the company in 1992, mainly working behind the scenes until 2008. Although Brother Love's association with The Undertaker may have been short, they did reunite during a February 2003 episode of SmackDown, with The Undertaker delivering his finishing maneuvers to him.
It appeared that Bruce Prichard giving Paul Bearer the role of The Undertaker's manager was the right decision, as it ended up working out for The Undertaker's character in the long run. However, it's worth questioning how Brother Love would've worked out as The Undertaker's manager if he never gave up his position and whether it would've affected The Undertaker's career in any way.