‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper: Wrestler Dies Aged 61

Iconic professional wrestler Roderick George Toombs, known worldwide by fans as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, passed away Friday at the age of 61.

It wasn’t long afterwards that Roderick transitioned his career into wrestling where he adopted the moniker “Roddy the Piper” and later it simply became Roddy Piper. Hogan used racial slurs in a conversation captured on a sex tape.

Piper was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed the death of legendary wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper on Friday in his Hollywood, California home. His gimmick was entering the ring with a kilt and bagpipes, a nod to his Scottish heritage, which lead to his nickname “Roddy the Piper”. It wasn’t until 1984, when he was bestowed his interview segment famously known as Piper’s Pit that people really started to take notice.

Hulk Hogan told TMZ that he was devastated over Piper’s passing. “Will do it justice and do you proud tomorrow”, she wrote. Piper never held the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, but remains one of the most memorable figures of the era, which speaks to the power of his personality.

In 2005, Piper was enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Wrestling fans worldwide are in mourning after the sudden death of grappling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper at the age of 61. “#ThankYouRoddy #RIP”. He was named one of the WWE’s top 50 villains as well. He boxed actor Mr. T at WrestleMania 2.

My first action figure as a gift from my father was a pop-up Rowdy Roddy Piper from the late 80’s. The two squared off in the first WrestleMania in 1985 and in a television special that year, “The War to Settle the Score“, on MTV. “God bless you, Bubba”, The Iron Sheik tweeted.

Rolling Stone reports that Piper also had a media presence outside the ring, starring in the 1988 cult flick “They Live“, by John Carpenter. “And I’m all out of bubble gum”.

“He was a great wrestler”.

Sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and Wrestlemania rival #RoddyPiper.