Professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61.
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Hogan, who was fired by the WWE only days ago, called Piper his “best friend” and “a legend”, reports CNN. Hogan used racial slurs in a conversation captured on a sex tape.
His rivalry with Hulk Hogan made him hugely popular, with the pair headlining a few of wrestling’s biggest matches. He also main evented the first WrestleMania, teaming with Paul Orndorff to face Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
Piper’s fame transcended the world of wrestling, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
Wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has passed away aged 61.
This story was first published on CNN.com, “Roddy Piper, pro wrestling ‘bad guy, ‘ dies at 61″.
He and his wife, Kitty, had four children.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper, clad in his trademark kilt, speaks in 2009 at the WrestleMania 25th anniversary press conference at Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.
Variety reported that Academy Award-winning film maker John Carpenter also expressed his heartbreak, tweeting: “I’m devastated by the passing of my friend Roddy Piper“.
Piper, whose real name was Roddy Toombs, is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, and was one of the core members of the ’80s-era WWE (then known as the WWF).
Mr. Piper was a villain early in his career, once cracking a coconut over the skull of Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka.
Fairplay named his daughter Piper in honor of the wrestler. He said that his dad was his best friend and that he will miss him. His son, Colton, is following in Piper’s footsteps and has been actively pursuing a career in wrestling.
The wrestling Hall of Famer was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, but last November said he was cancer free. 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.
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Wrestler Chris Jericho said on Instagram: “Sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and Wrestlemania rival #RoddyPiper. God bless you, Bubba”.
