WWE legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61. Hogan used racial slurs in a conversation captured on a sex tape.
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A few of Piper’s most memorable feuds in the WWE included the ones against “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Jerry “The King” Lawler and Hulk Hogan. He was one of the most generous, honest and authentic people I have ever known.
Piper’s star soared when he joined the then World Wrestling Federation, drawing jeers for blasting Jimmy Snuka with a coconut during an interview segment.
John Cena, wrestling’s biggest contemporary name, added: “One of the true greats of all time”.
Tribute have flown in for Roddy as everyone from Vince to Hogan has commented on his passing away.
Piper is survived by his wife Kitty and four children.
WWE legend Roddy Piper smiles for the press.
Rolling Stone reports that Piper also had a media presence outside the ring, starring in the 1988 cult flick “They Live“, by John Carpenter.
At the age of 61, death came to the legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler and actor Roddy “Rowdy” Piper… and his life was definitely full.
Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff took on Hogan and Mr. T in the first-ever WrestleMania. In the tweet Toombs called his father a great man and his best friend.
Though he was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Piper accentuated his Scottish heritage and would be billed from Glasgow, Scotland. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006 but was declared free from cancer last November.
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Piper continued to wrestle regularly into the late 1990s, including with rival promotion WCW, but eventually he returned to WWE where he had been making periodic guest appearances until a year ago. “A brawl at the end of that fight led to the first WrestleMania“. Piper remained active even in his later years, with his last time stepping in the ring being in 2008, although he was active on various shows until 2014.
