August 01, 2015

Remembering the Hot Rod, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, the man we all loved to hate

By Nick Piccone
PhillyVoice Contributor

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper, known to his family as Roderick Toombs, suffered a heart attack while sleeping on Thursday night, according to Variety. Piper’s death was first reported by TMZ.

WWE released a statement:

“WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Toombs’ family, friends and fans.”

WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon, sent these Tweets after the news was made public on Friday:

Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE... (1/2)
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 31, 2015

...beloved by millions of fans around the world. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. (2/2)
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 31, 2015

The “Nature Boy” Ric Flair gave this statement to TMZ on Piper’s death:

“We’ve shared the ring, traveled the world, maintained a friendship throughout the ups and downs of the wrestling world, and battled to see who was the better heel. It’s almost impossible to express my grief. My condolences to his children and to his wife Kitty. I’ll miss you Roddy. The world will never be as Rowdy without you.”

This marks the second high-profile death in the last two months for wrestling legends. In June, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes passed away after suffering a fall at his home.

Piper was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, the same year as his biggest professional wrestling rival, Hulk Hogan. Shortly after news of Piper’s death spread, WWE posted the following video on their official YouTube channel, which highlights the career of the Hot Rod.

Despite never being the World Heavyweight Champion in WWE or WCW, Piper captivated the audience with his stellar promos. He had an ability like almost no other to get the audience to loathe him. There’s a very real chance that without Piper being Hogan’s adversary in the 1980s, Hulkamania would never have taken off the way it did. There’s an art to making people hate you in the world of professional wrestling, and that ultimately helps the good guy. While Hogan had the charisma and talent to bring people together, without Piper as a common enemy for Hogan and the people, the Immortal One may never have had his career skyrocket in the late ‘80s and into the ‘90s.

Piper held several championships in his wrestling career, including the WWE Intercontinental and World Tag Team Championships along with the WCW United States Championship. He had held over 13 championships in various NWA promotions throughout his career.

Here’s a video highlighting Piper at his absolute best during the 1980’s. It may be a bit long, but it’s absolutely fantastic work on how to make an audience hate who they’re supposed to hate.

Piper didn’t try to be cool like a lot of heels do today. He legitimately made people want to hate him. And he succeeded more than any other heel in the history of the business.

Piper’s trademark kilt drew the ire of his foes, but he always backed up his toughness in the ring. Whether he was a good guy and the kilt was a kilt, or a bad guy and the kilt was a skirt, Piper never left his audience bored. In professional wrestling today, it’s so rare to be able to keep an audience’s attention span for the duration of a promo or even a match, but Piper was a master even in the new world. His promos continued to entertain when he was on Raw or the WWE Network exclusive, Legends’ House, when his wrestling days were over.

Piper’s best WWE match may have come at WrestleMania 8, where he lost the Intercontinental Championship to Bret “The Hitman” Hart. That match is one of my favorites, and it was Piper’s first clean pinfall loss in his WWE career.

Not only was Piper a fantastic professional wrestling figure, but he also shared his talents on the silver screen and television, starring in “They Live,” which was probably his most famous movie.

Piper also made a cameo appearance on the hit TV show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

Piper had recently been fired from Podcast One and had accused “Stone Cold” Steve Austin of being the one who orchestrated the firing. Austin denied the accusation.

This is the second Friday in a row where half of the WrestleMania I main event has been front page news, and unfortunately, not in a good way. Last Friday, WWE fired Hogan for alleged racist comments he made that were privately recorded eight years ago and leaked to the media. Hogan made his first public Tweet since being fired after hearing of Piper’s death.

Here’s some reaction from Piper’s children on Twitter:

My father @R_Roddy_Piper was a great man and my best friend I will miss him forever and will alway try to be the man he raised me to be
— Colt Toombs (@ColtToombs) July 31, 2015

RIP dad. I will always love you. ❤️ @R_Roddy_Piper pic.twitter.com/gJZSurZRz9
— Falon Toombs (@FalonToombs) July 31, 2015

Here’s some of the reaction from the wrestling industry:

Totally lost for words,RIP,Roddy one,and God bless your family,I love you my brother,only love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) August 1, 2015

RIP Rowdy Roddy Piper! What a competitor?! I was honored to be your opponent in the first Wrestlemania. Bless You My Brother.
— Mr. T (@MrT) August 1, 2015

I'll miss you @R_Roddy_Piper. The world will never be as Rowdy without you. #RIPRoddyPiper
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 1, 2015

Saddened about the passing of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He was truly a legend and icon, and will never be forgotten... #ThankYouRoddy #RIP
— Triple H (@TripleH) July 31, 2015

One of the true greats of all time. My heart goes out to his family and the fans he entertained over the years. RIP Rowdy.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) July 31, 2015

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Roddy Piper's passing. He was one of a kind and one of the all time greats. #prowrestling
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) July 31, 2015

My deepest condolences to the family and friends of @R_Roddy_Piper. I admired Roddy so much as a wrestler - and even more as a man #RIPRoddy
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) August 1, 2015

I'm inducting Jim Crockett, Sr tonight into @NWALegends Hall of Heroes w/ a heavy heart. #RIPRoddyPiper my friend. Thoughts w/ his family.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) July 31, 2015

There was no better natural, TV wrestling villain than the late @R_Roddy_Piper. He was #elite. #RIPRoddyPiper
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) August 1, 2015

#RIPRoddyPiper Thank you for so many memories. You will always be one of my all time favorites. pic.twitter.com/IIcONTfyAk
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) July 31, 2015

Wow just hearin about Roddy Piper. So incredibly sad He was an amazing performer, wrestler & man Prayers go out 2 his loved ones RIP Roddy
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) August 1, 2015

My main man. Always had my back. RIP #RoddyPiper pic.twitter.com/hlwY8BCVrj
— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) July 31, 2015

RIP @R_Roddy_Piper You will be missed my friend. Much Love! @antmaurizio pic.twitter.com/YU50ALMLFE
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 31, 2015

RIP to Roddy Piper. Prayers to his family and loved ones.
— Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) July 31, 2015

RIP @R_Roddy_Piper. Thanks for everything #Gone2Soon
— Scott Hall (@SCOTTHALLNWO) August 1, 2015

Completely devastated right now, as is everyone. We've lost two of the greatest of all time in a matter of weeks. 1st Dream & now Roddy. 💔💔😢
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) July 31, 2015

Ppl are saying Roddy is one of the best heels ever. Who's supposed to have been better?
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) July 31, 2015

In honor of Roddy, I'm talking to the Old Man on The Mountain. People that knew Roddy understand the language I'm speaking. #PiperLives
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) August 1, 2015

RIP "Rowdy" Roddy Piper...I'll never forgot you smashing a coconut over my head at WrestleMania XXVII pic.twitter.com/1g2EqaAN2O
— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) July 31, 2015

Ronda Rousey, who will defend her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title Saturday night against Bethe Correia at UFC 190, has been a huge Piper fan her entire life, and even dons the “Rowdy” nickname, as well. She’s dedicating Saturday night’s fight to her idol.

Thank you for the name.... And so much more.... Will do it justice and do you proud tomorrow.... This… https://t.co/FQUqZEVh0Q
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 1, 2015

Current Eagles defensive end and wrestling fanatic, Vinny Curry, weighed in: