What's happening everybody! Unfortunately, more sad news to report from the world of professional wrestling and entertainment in general. We now mourn the passing of WWE Hall Of Famer and beloved wrestling icon, Rowdy Roddy Piper. Best known for his feud with Hulk Hogan and with actor Mr. T in the early eighties, Piper would end up main eventing the first Wrestlemania, as Hogan and Mr. T, with another Hall Of Famer Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka in their corner, faced Piper and partner "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, with Hall Of Famer Cowboy Bob Orton Jr (Randy Orton's dad) in their corner. This match marked the period known as "Rock N Wrestling", in which WWE was crossing over into the mainstream and with MTV. As part of his superb heel act, he would often feud with globally known Pop act Cyndi Lauper over her music. Aside from other rivalries that he would later have with the likes of Ric Flair, Adrien Adonis, and even had an incredible match with Bret "Hitman" Hart for the I-C Title at Wrestlemania VIII, he dabbled in acting. He starred in the horror cult classic, They Live, as "Nada", a drifter who had the ability to see people for who (or what) they really were through his sunglasses. He also starred in Hell Comes To Frogtown, and had guest appearance spots on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Cold Case, and even on reality shows like Celebrity Wife Swap and Celebrity Ghost Stories.
Longtime fans remember him in the Mid-Atlantic territories and Georgia Championship Wrestling (later called WCW). He had big time feuds with the aforementioned Flair, Don Muraco, and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. His rivalry with Valentine skyrocketed into a "Dog Collar Match" at the first Starrcade in 1983 in Greensboro, NC. This match was seen as the show stealer of the evening, which wasn't bad at all considering the rest of the card and the main event being Flair vs. Harley Race for the NWA title. Although very brutal for its day (not to mention Piper suffered a busted eardrum and ended up losing fifty percent of his hearing), it showed the world Piper was a bonafide star in big match environments.
Highly seen and regarded as one of the best four talkers ever on a microphone (Piper, Rhodes, Flair, and The Rock), he was able to mix intensity with over the top and sarcastic humor with his promos. Although he's not necessarily known for any one particular promo like Dusty's "Hard Times" promo, anytime he got on the mic you were in for a treat, although there were times he would be a loose cannon and you really didn't know what would come out of his mouth. Piper had a gift much like Dusty and Flair, in which he didn't need a script of any kind to do a promo. All he needed was his imagination and his passion. He likewise is known as one of the best heels of all-time. His obnoxious, rude, over the top ways were that of legend. Who can forget when he smashed the coconut over the face of Snuka during the now infamous segment of his trailblazing WWE talk show segment, "Piper's Pit"? In fact, "Piper's Pit" was such a huge hit, he actually sent it on the road. Interview segments to later come along like "The Brother Love Show", "Paul Bearer's Funeral Parlor", "Edge's Cutting Edge", and "Christian's Peep Show" all came from the groundbreaking concept of "Piper's Pit".
He still continued in wrestling occasionally after his run in WCW in the late nineties. He was seen in TNA and even had off and on spots with WWE. One of his last matches in the ring was at Wrestlemania XXV, when he, Snuka, and fellow HOFer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat faced Chris Jericho in a three-on-one handicapped match. We last saw him on a regular basis as part of the Legends House cast, along with Hillbilly Jim, Jimmy Hart, Howard Finkel, Gene Okerlund, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Tony Atlas.
I'm personally in such an immense state of shock, awe, and grief. It was just last month we suffered the loss of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, and now this heartbreak that follows it. I still truly can't believe Dream is gone. It doesn't sound right nor feel right. No matter how many tribute videos and on-stage memorials there are, I can't grasp the thought of the sport with Dream. I'm in the exact same state of mind with Piper. There was never really a time you never saw him smiling, even as a heel. He was totally known for his often cheesy grins that would result in potent ass beatings. There will no doubt be a touching tribute to Hot Rod, as he impacted so many lives in and out of the business. A multimedia star, a wrestling icon, and an impactful human being, Roderick Toombs will never, ever be forgotten. Hot Rod, we will always love and cherish you. Thank you the memories, the non-stop entertainment and influence. To quote the now late, great folk hero, "Just when they think they have the answers, I change the questions". May the bagpipes play on! Rest In Eternal Power Hot Rod! The Heavenly Battle Royal now has a new entrant!
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