Obviously this news is 24 hours old, but yesterday we lost one of the best and most well-known heels in the history of wrestling in "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Everyone thinks Hulk Hogan was the one who started the wrestling boom period with the help of Vince McMahon. But pro wrestling is just like superhero movies....the hero is only as good as the villain. And Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon wouldn't have made all that money without Roddy Piper as the man in the black cowboy hat. Besides being one of my favorites when i was a kid. two stories stick out in my head about what a great guy Roddy Piper was.
1. When Ric Flair needed a tag team partner to go against WWF World Tag Team Champions The Spirit Squad in 2006, the fans voted for Piper. After the matches, everyone has to have a physical. And that was when it was discovered that Piper had Hodgkin's lymphoma. He always appreciated the fans for basically saving his life by voting him into that match.
2. Piper was trained by "Judo" Gene LeBell (whose brother Mike originated the LeBell Lock...used by Daniel Bryan). Gene LeBell also trained Ronda Rousey. When Gene wanted to give Ronda the "Rowdy" nickname, she instead called Roddy to ask for his permission to use HIS nickname first. I dig that respect. And that's why Ronda dedicated her fight tonight to the "Rowdy Scot."
Roddy Piper won titles everywhere, including the NWA United States Title and the WWF Intercontinental Title. His epic dog collar match with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine from Starrcade 1983 is stuff of legend. As was his match with Bret Hart from WrestleMania VIII. He was in They Live. He was spoofed on South Park and Simpsons. But most importantly, Roddy Piper loved his family, the fans, and pro wrestling. And there won't be another
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper.