Piper is best known for his WWF/WWE career and his feuds with Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair.
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The Canadian-born superstar headlined Wrestlemania 1 in 1985 when teaming with Paul Orndorff to square off against Hogan and Mr. T and even appeared on The Late Show with Joan Rivers in 1987.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also paid tribute to Piper, “Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE“. My heart goes out to his family and the fans he entertained over the years.
In 2011 Roddy took part in his last match at the Juggalo Championship Wrestling Legends and Icons show.
Piper leaves behind a wife, Kitty, and also had four children throughout his life, with three being girls and one being a boy.
Piper’s agent Jay Schacter confirmed the news, first reported by TMZ, to Variety. “He was a great wrestler, a masterful entertainer and a good friend”.
Piper rose to the level of Intercontinental Champion in 1992, briefly served as the interim president of the WWE in 1996 and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2005.
Piper also appeared in movies, such as the 1988 sci- film They Live, where he became famous for the line, “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubblegum”.
Roddy Piper attends the WrestleMania 25th anniversary press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe on March 31, 2009 in New York City.
Before becoming Rowdy Roddy Piper, Roderick was an amateur boxer in his youth and performed well enough to win a Golden Glove.
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Although adored by fans, Toombs is largely thought of as one of the biggest villains in the history of pro wrestling. Carpenter mourned his friend on Twitter. I don’t know about you, but I think i’ll give “They Live” a watch this weekend. God bless you bubba”, WWE legend Virgil said, “My main man. Always had my back.
