He should be as high as fourth. Here’s a representative installment from 1984, where Piper interviewed Sgt. “No. But I think Hulk Hogan has done a whole lot more toward society than he has negative to our society”. I have no problem with Sammartino at No. 3.
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He is the second Hall of Famer to die this summer following the June death of Dusty Rhodes.
The World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed the passing of the wrestler, whose given name was Roderick George Toombs.
Piper took a stab at a singing career in 1992, releasing a UK-only single and music video for his pop-rock song, “I’m Your Man”.
One of the true greats of all time.
He was involved in numerous WrestleManias.
It all led to Wrestlemania in March 1985, where Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff met Hogan and Mr. T in the main event. His battles with everyone from Adrian Adonis to Rick Rude to his real life buddy Ric Flair were all memorable.
And, who could forget Piper dousing Morton Downey Jr. with a fire extinguisher at WM 5. He also appeared in one of Lauper’s music videos in the 80s and has dozens of movie roles to his credit. His wrestling career influenced countless other performers and fighters alike, even the MMA fighter Ronda Rousey who recently stepped into the limelight is using Piper’s “Rowdy” nickname after getting his permission once he retired.
Piper was found Friday and though he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006, he was free of cancer at the time of his death, according to TMZ.
Movie fans are no stranger to Piper either.
Despite never holding the company’s top title, Piper was one of WWE’s biggest stars of the 1980’s. It was in the former film he uttered a phrase now etched into popular culture: “I am here to kick a- and chew bubble gum”. He is better know by his ring name “ROWDY” Roddy Piper, died at the age of 61, Friday, July 30, 2015, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States.
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The family member told the website: ‘Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper.’.
