Hot Rod Comes to a Halt - Rowdy Roddy Piper, 1954-2015
July 31, 2015 4:14 PM Subscribe
Wrestling legend Rowdy Roddy Piper has died of a heart attack at the age of 61. Piper was one of the great "heels" (villains) of the 1980s wrestling boom, teaming with Paul Orndorff at the first WrestleMania in 1985 to take on Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
Roderick George Toombs was a Canadian by birth and of largely Scottish heritage, which he played up by wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes on his way to the ring. He started wrestling at the age of 15 (losing to Larry "The Ax" Hennig in 10 seconds), and kept at it in regional promotions before breaking huge with Piper's Pit in the then-WWF., an interview segment that featured Piper insulting his guests -- and most famously, breaking a coconut over Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka's head to ignite a feud.
Piper then moved into his feud with Hogan, the one that vaulted wrestling into the mainstream thanks to the involvement of Cyndi Lauper (who Piper legitimately kicked in the head during an in-ring altercation, though he maintained that it was an accident and he pulled the kick as much as he could when he realized it was her). The resulting special, The War to Settle the Score, was broadcast on MTV and convinced WWF owner Vince McMahon to try the proto-pay-per-view WrestleMania special a month later.
Piper wrestled less after that feud (including an unfortunate feud with African-American wrestler Bad News Brown, where Piper painted half of his body black to draw heat). He starred in several forgettable movies, but also in They Live as an unnamed drifter who stumbles into an alien conspiracy to control mankind. The film (directed by John Carpenter) has become a cult classic, thanks in large part to its iconic eight-minute fight scene with Keith David.
Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006, but says he was declared cancer-free last year.
Roderick George Toombs was a Canadian by birth and of largely Scottish heritage, which he played up by wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes on his way to the ring. He started wrestling at the age of 15 (losing to Larry "The Ax" Hennig in 10 seconds), and kept at it in regional promotions before breaking huge with Piper's Pit in the then-WWF., an interview segment that featured Piper insulting his guests -- and most famously, breaking a coconut over Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka's head to ignite a feud.
Piper then moved into his feud with Hogan, the one that vaulted wrestling into the mainstream thanks to the involvement of Cyndi Lauper (who Piper legitimately kicked in the head during an in-ring altercation, though he maintained that it was an accident and he pulled the kick as much as he could when he realized it was her). The resulting special, The War to Settle the Score, was broadcast on MTV and convinced WWF owner Vince McMahon to try the proto-pay-per-view WrestleMania special a month later.
Piper wrestled less after that feud (including an unfortunate feud with African-American wrestler Bad News Brown, where Piper painted half of his body black to draw heat). He starred in several forgettable movies, but also in They Live as an unnamed drifter who stumbles into an alien conspiracy to control mankind. The film (directed by John Carpenter) has become a cult classic, thanks in large part to its iconic eight-minute fight scene with Keith David.
Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006, but says he was declared cancer-free last year.
I had his action figure as a kid. And They Live is great. RIP
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posted by Elementary Penguin at 4:18 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by Elementary Penguin at 4:18 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
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posted by pibeandres at 4:19 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by pibeandres at 4:19 PM on July 31, 2015
Sooner or later, everybody pays the Piper
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posted by peeedro at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by peeedro at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
who will kill our yuppie scum now?!?
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posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
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posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 4:22 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
He got his start in one of the wrestling farm leagues, Pacific Northwest Wrestling. It used to be broadcast on Saturday nights on KPTV in Portland, and I watched it more often than I can now believe, looking back on it.
There were a lot of decent wrestlers back then, but I wasn't particularly surprised when Piper got called up to the majors. He really was that good.
(By the way, Jimmy Snuka came up from Portland, too.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:24 PM on July 31, 2015 [8 favorites]
There were a lot of decent wrestlers back then, but I wasn't particularly surprised when Piper got called up to the majors. He really was that good.
(By the way, Jimmy Snuka came up from Portland, too.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:24 PM on July 31, 2015 [8 favorites]
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posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 4:25 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 4:25 PM on July 31, 2015
Last month wrestling lost one of the best babyfaces in the history of the business, today it lost one of the best heels.
Jimmy Snuka was my favorite wrestler as a kid. Not understanding at the time the predetermined nature of the business, the Piper's Pit linked above where Roddy Piper attacked Snuka with a coconut and mushed a banana in his face was seriously traumatic for me.
"Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions" (Legendary Piper's Pit with jobber Frankie Williams)
posted by The Gooch at 4:28 PM on July 31, 2015 [8 favorites]
Jimmy Snuka was my favorite wrestler as a kid. Not understanding at the time the predetermined nature of the business, the Piper's Pit linked above where Roddy Piper attacked Snuka with a coconut and mushed a banana in his face was seriously traumatic for me.
"Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions" (Legendary Piper's Pit with jobber Frankie Williams)
posted by The Gooch at 4:28 PM on July 31, 2015 [8 favorites]
Aw, I used to watch WWF with my brother on the days it was his turn to pick shows. Had a bit of a crush on the Piper (even though he was supposed to be a bad guy. I thought he was just misunderstood).
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posted by cotton dress sock at 4:33 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by cotton dress sock at 4:33 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
They Live is one of those films that you watch with tears of joy running down your face while muttering, "how in the hell did this movie ever get made?"
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posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:35 PM on July 31, 2015 [30 favorites]
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posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:35 PM on July 31, 2015 [30 favorites]
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posted by MCMikeNamara at 4:35 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by MCMikeNamara at 4:35 PM on July 31, 2015
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posted by oneswellfoop at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2015
I struggle with pro wrestling. It's an odd culture and I'm confused by what its fans take from it.
And yet, I'm entertained. And you can't ask for more, can you?
Godspeed, Roddy.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
And yet, I'm entertained. And you can't ask for more, can you?
Godspeed, Roddy.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:38 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
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God, 61, that sucks.
Weirdly, I was in Bevmo like 15 minutes ago and saw a soda called Rowdy Roddy Piper's Bubble Gum Soda.
If you get a chance, watch They Live with the John Carpenter/Roddy Piper commentary. I imported a DVD years ago just to get the commentary, because it was only on the German (I think) release, but I recently got the Blu and it's on there. It's pretty entertaining.
posted by Huck500 at 4:45 PM on July 31, 2015 [7 favorites]
God, 61, that sucks.
Weirdly, I was in Bevmo like 15 minutes ago and saw a soda called Rowdy Roddy Piper's Bubble Gum Soda.
If you get a chance, watch They Live with the John Carpenter/Roddy Piper commentary. I imported a DVD years ago just to get the commentary, because it was only on the German (I think) release, but I recently got the Blu and it's on there. It's pretty entertaining.
posted by Huck500 at 4:45 PM on July 31, 2015 [7 favorites]
God, 61, that sucks.
Professional wrestler 61 is like normal person 95.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:47 PM on July 31, 2015 [14 favorites]
Professional wrestler 61 is like normal person 95.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:47 PM on July 31, 2015 [14 favorites]
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posted by Captain_Science at 4:48 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Captain_Science at 4:48 PM on July 31, 2015
Another classic Roddy Piper promo: Looking for the Mad Dog
posted by The Gooch at 4:48 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The Gooch at 4:48 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
He was my first experience of becoming aware that men in kilts are hot. Sad to hear of his passing.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:49 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:49 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
Damn it. RIP. I listened to him on the Sklar Brothers' podcast and it was an entertaining treasure.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:49 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:49 PM on July 31, 2015
Wearing my kilt in memoriam.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:52 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:52 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
I am putting on the glasses without a fight.
R.I.P.
posted by zardoz at 4:53 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
R.I.P.
posted by zardoz at 4:53 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
I remember seeing a verbal face-off between Roddy and Hulk Hogan the first time and thinking "why is HH supposed to be the GOOD guy?" One of my most accurate first impressions.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:54 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:54 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
Not mentioned The Maniac in Sunny Philly.
Maybe its time I finally track down another copy of the eightiesest prison comedy "Buy & Cell" where head nerd Robert Carradine gets framed for insider training and gets sent to a Malcolm McDowell run prison with the bad biker guy from Raising Arizona is the mean guard and he teaches Rowdy Roddy Piper and Michael Winslow how to trade stocks and they improve the prison from the inside.
RIP Big Man.
posted by lkc at 4:58 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
Maybe its time I finally track down another copy of the eightiesest prison comedy "Buy & Cell" where head nerd Robert Carradine gets framed for insider training and gets sent to a Malcolm McDowell run prison with the bad biker guy from Raising Arizona is the mean guard and he teaches Rowdy Roddy Piper and Michael Winslow how to trade stocks and they improve the prison from the inside.
RIP Big Man.
posted by lkc at 4:58 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
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I remember in my childhood you always sat up straight in your chair when he came out because you knew Good Shit was about to go down.
posted by selfnoise at 5:02 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
I remember in my childhood you always sat up straight in your chair when he came out because you knew Good Shit was about to go down.
posted by selfnoise at 5:02 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
If you enjoy They Live, he and Keith David more or less reprise their roles in Saints Row 4.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:16 PM on July 31, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:16 PM on July 31, 2015 [7 favorites]
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posted by Smart Dalek at 5:21 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Smart Dalek at 5:21 PM on July 31, 2015
Why The Fight Scene Matters in John Carpenter's 'They Live'
via @oohoohaah
posted by BitterOldPunk at 5:28 PM on July 31, 2015 [20 favorites]
via @oohoohaah
posted by BitterOldPunk at 5:28 PM on July 31, 2015 [20 favorites]
I'm tired of waking up to find another one of my childhood heroes has died. He was easily my favorite, he'll, he even had the best car in the cartoon. He was probably the first heel I ever rooted for, but why wouldn't you? Hogan was a sanctimonious prick, while Piper was flat out crazy, but also funny as hell.
I've felt for a long time that growing older is basically a long process of the people and things you love being slowly taken away from you, and today is no different. RIP, Hot Rod.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:30 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
I've felt for a long time that growing older is basically a long process of the people and things you love being slowly taken away from you, and today is no different. RIP, Hot Rod.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:30 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
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I also remember watching him as a kid and thinking why is he the bad guy? He is AWESOME.
Also, he was the hell that went to frogtown.
posted by vrakatar at 5:33 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
I also remember watching him as a kid and thinking why is he the bad guy? He is AWESOME.
Also, he was the hell that went to frogtown.
posted by vrakatar at 5:33 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
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He was my first experience of becoming aware that men in kilts are hot. Sad to hear of his passing.
My 10-year-old self was probably going there unconsciously - Piper's Pit was the highlight of Saturday morning WWF programming for me.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:36 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
He was my first experience of becoming aware that men in kilts are hot. Sad to hear of his passing.
My 10-year-old self was probably going there unconsciously - Piper's Pit was the highlight of Saturday morning WWF programming for me.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:36 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
I need to see Frogtown.
posted by persona au gratin at 5:47 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by persona au gratin at 5:47 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
robocop is bleeding: "Wearing my kilt in memoriam."
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On a personal level, my brother and I roughhoused a bunch as kids about/with the WWF and Roddy Piper played a role almost every time. I used to go back and bring out old WCW dudes, but we almost always ended up with Piper in the mix. I'm going to be at my parent's place this weekend. Coincidentally little brother is going to be in town with the year old nephew. I know for a fact my old ass kilt is still somewhere in their basement*, and I think Bro's might be too. Just gotta find one for the boy. And tight white t-shirts for everybody. Maybe just the kid.
"I'm all out of bubblegum", indeed.
posted by Sphinx at 6:04 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
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On a personal level, my brother and I roughhoused a bunch as kids about/with the WWF and Roddy Piper played a role almost every time. I used to go back and bring out old WCW dudes, but we almost always ended up with Piper in the mix. I'm going to be at my parent's place this weekend. Coincidentally little brother is going to be in town with the year old nephew. I know for a fact my old ass kilt is still somewhere in their basement*, and I think Bro's might be too. Just gotta find one for the boy. And tight white t-shirts for everybody. Maybe just the kid.
"I'm all out of bubblegum", indeed.
posted by Sphinx at 6:04 PM on July 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
He was the reason Hulk Hogan lost his hair.
posted by three blind mice at 6:08 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by three blind mice at 6:08 PM on July 31, 2015
👓
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:10 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:10 PM on July 31, 2015 [9 favorites]
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posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:11 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:11 PM on July 31, 2015
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:23 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ob1quixote at 6:23 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
"In classic Roddy Piper fashion, he once again steals the attention away from Hulk Hogan." -- Marty DeRosa
posted by MrJM at 6:26 PM on July 31, 2015 [36 favorites]
posted by MrJM at 6:26 PM on July 31, 2015 [36 favorites]
This one really stings. He was a big part of my childhood.
And I worry that the Iron Grenadiers will be less effective as a combat unit.
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posted by MrBadExample at 6:29 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
And I worry that the Iron Grenadiers will be less effective as a combat unit.
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posted by MrBadExample at 6:29 PM on July 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
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Another wrestler gone shockingly young :(
He was on the Art of Wrestling podcast a few months ago for an in-depth chat about his life: Part one (Interview starts at 16 minutes) Part two (Interview starts at 11 minutes)
posted by coleboptera at 6:41 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Another wrestler gone shockingly young :(
He was on the Art of Wrestling podcast a few months ago for an in-depth chat about his life: Part one (Interview starts at 16 minutes) Part two (Interview starts at 11 minutes)
posted by coleboptera at 6:41 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've lost interest in wrestling over the year, the what interest I had was almost entirely due to Piper's Pit. One hell of a showman.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:41 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:41 PM on July 31, 2015
Here's YouTube video of Roddy Piper's section of Saint's Row 4.
posted by JHarris at 6:52 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 6:52 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
If there's any justice in the world, he got to have an eight-minute-long alley fight scene with Death before he went.
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:03 PM on July 31, 2015 [13 favorites]
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posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:03 PM on July 31, 2015 [13 favorites]
If you enjoy They Live, he and Keith David more or less reprise their roles in Saints Row 4.
Obviously Keith David is in from the start, but when Roddy appeared, I laughed out loud with delight.
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:10 PM on July 31, 2015
Obviously Keith David is in from the start, but when Roddy appeared, I laughed out loud with delight.
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:10 PM on July 31, 2015
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posted by Minus215Cee at 7:14 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Minus215Cee at 7:14 PM on July 31, 2015
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posted by Token Meme at 7:15 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Token Meme at 7:15 PM on July 31, 2015
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posted by Ignorantsavage at 7:29 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Ignorantsavage at 7:29 PM on July 31, 2015
If you enjoy They Live, he and Keith David more or less reprise their roles in Saints Row 4.
SR4 is loaded with They Live references, and the bad guy in charge reminds me quite a bit of Killface from Frisky Dingo. I should go play that whole series again.
posted by lkc at 7:30 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
SR4 is loaded with They Live references, and the bad guy in charge reminds me quite a bit of Killface from Frisky Dingo. I should go play that whole series again.
posted by lkc at 7:30 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by dirigibleman at 7:36 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by dirigibleman at 7:36 PM on July 31, 2015
Posted without comment. Rowdy Roddy's Rotten Pipes
posted by dephlogisticated at 8:09 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dephlogisticated at 8:09 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm giving you a choice. Either put on these glasses or start eating that trash can.
G'nite Hotrod.
Before I knew what a heel was, he was my favorite, after I found out what a heel was, he was my hero.
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:35 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
G'nite Hotrod.
Before I knew what a heel was, he was my favorite, after I found out what a heel was, he was my hero.
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:35 PM on July 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
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One of the guys that topped the "entertainment" bit.
posted by lmfsilva at 8:37 PM on July 31, 2015
One of the guys that topped the "entertainment" bit.
posted by lmfsilva at 8:37 PM on July 31, 2015
I also would like to just generally celebrate being rowdy and rowdiness in general. A little goes a long way, to be sure, but I feel like getting kicked out of somewhere right now.
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:42 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Divine_Wino at 8:42 PM on July 31, 2015 [4 favorites]
Does anyone have any links to photos or video of the time when Roddy wrestled as "Piper Machine" on October 4, 1986? Any pics other than this one -- http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/pictures/r/roddypiper/14.jpg -- would be very much appreciated. (Yes, I may be a particular kind of wrestling nerd.)
posted by MrJM at 8:49 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by MrJM at 8:49 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Time is stealing all of our precious wrestlers from us.
Or something.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:45 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Or something.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:45 PM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by Kevin Street at 9:52 PM on July 31, 2015
posted by Kevin Street at 9:52 PM on July 31, 2015
That fight scene in "They Live" was so brutal that the day after I saw the movie I woke up with bruises!
R.I.P. Roddy.......
posted by TDavis at 9:55 PM on July 31, 2015
R.I.P. Roddy.......
posted by TDavis at 9:55 PM on July 31, 2015
Growing up in the 80's, he was the only reason I watched wrestling at all. Without his sense of humor, the whole soap opera would have had no appeal to me whatsoever. He was one funny loose cannon. And he rocked the kilt like no other.
No " . " from me.... instead, a solid, red-and-yellow, lightning-shaped " ! "
posted by not_on_display at 11:27 PM on July 31, 2015
No " . " from me.... instead, a solid, red-and-yellow, lightning-shaped " ! "
posted by not_on_display at 11:27 PM on July 31, 2015
Roddy Piper was my favorite wrestler but I was a casual fan at best. I'm super-bad at recognizing actors, so when I saw They Live for the first time (of many) on VHS with a buddy, I kept saying things like "I know that guy! Who the fuck is he?" My buddy kept laughing and saying "Imagine him in a kilt" and "imagine him playing bagpipes". To which I responded with blank stares.
I had to wait for Wikipedia to get invented before I made the connection.
"Put on the fucking glasses!"
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posted by double block and bleed at 11:54 PM on July 31, 2015
I had to wait for Wikipedia to get invented before I made the connection.
"Put on the fucking glasses!"
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posted by double block and bleed at 11:54 PM on July 31, 2015
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posted by mikelieman at 1:13 AM on August 1, 2015
posted by mikelieman at 1:13 AM on August 1, 2015
He was a fixture at conventions, and he was always good to the fans.
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posted by Faint of Butt at 4:17 AM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 4:17 AM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by SageLeVoid at 5:28 AM on August 1, 2015
posted by SageLeVoid at 5:28 AM on August 1, 2015
In kayfabe mode: considering how it is acknowledged by all and sundry that he was, if not the greatest heel of all time, then certainly in the conversation to be the greatest heel of all time, it amazes me that he never held a World Championship anywhere. Not a transitional title to get it from one babyface to the next babyface, not as a brief "Hogan struggles back to the top" storyline, not even in the NWA, which loved its heel champions much more than the WWF did. He held a bunch of secondary titles (Intercontinental, U.S., regional belts), but that was it.
Greatest wrestler ever to never hold any version of a World title? I think probably so.
posted by Etrigan at 5:32 AM on August 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
Greatest wrestler ever to never hold any version of a World title? I think probably so.
posted by Etrigan at 5:32 AM on August 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
My sister and I spent our Saturday mornings back in the '80's watching him. We even saw him live. This one hurts. Pro wrestling sure chews 'em up and spits 'em out.
And yes, he was also my introduction to the kilts = hot equation.
posted by biscotti at 5:36 AM on August 1, 2015
And yes, he was also my introduction to the kilts = hot equation.
posted by biscotti at 5:36 AM on August 1, 2015
At 2.41 in this video, Piper dances with Patti LaBelle, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Pee-Wee Herman.
posted by Gin and Broadband at 5:40 AM on August 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Gin and Broadband at 5:40 AM on August 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Alex Jones interviews Roddy Piper. Warning: if you watch to the one minute and twenty second mark say goodbye to forty minutes!
posted by bukvich at 6:17 AM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bukvich at 6:17 AM on August 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
In kayfabe mode: considering how it is acknowledged by all and sundry that he was, if not the greatest heel of all time, then certainly in the conversation to be the greatest heel of all time, it amazes me that he never held a World Championship anywhere. Not a transitional title to get it from one babyface to the next babyface, not as a brief "Hogan struggles back to the top" storyline, not even in the NWA, which loved its heel champions much more than the WWF did. He held a bunch of secondary titles (Intercontinental, U.S., regional belts), but that was it.
Greatest wrestler ever to never hold any version of a World title? I think probably so.
He had a stint in WCW where he challenged Hulk Hogan for their World Championship. Yet on the night of the event, there was never any mention of the championship or why the match was no longer for that championship. I've never seen any explanation, but I like to think that the decision came from Piper himself not wanting to lose that distinction. He's the Mark Martin/Ted Williams/Charles Barkley(?) of professional wrestling.
posted by dances with hamsters at 6:47 AM on August 1, 2015
Greatest wrestler ever to never hold any version of a World title? I think probably so.
He had a stint in WCW where he challenged Hulk Hogan for their World Championship. Yet on the night of the event, there was never any mention of the championship or why the match was no longer for that championship. I've never seen any explanation, but I like to think that the decision came from Piper himself not wanting to lose that distinction. He's the Mark Martin/Ted Williams/Charles Barkley(?) of professional wrestling.
posted by dances with hamsters at 6:47 AM on August 1, 2015
simply the best and the world is poorer without him in it.
posted by radiosilents at 10:40 AM on August 1, 2015
posted by radiosilents at 10:40 AM on August 1, 2015
Hollywood blogger Mark Evanier has worked with Roddy away from the mat.
"You know, you hear so much in and around show business about people who seem nice but really aren't that I want to make this point: He played a bad guy but he was a good guy. Isn't it nice that it can also work that way?"
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:53 PM on August 1, 2015 [5 favorites]
"You know, you hear so much in and around show business about people who seem nice but really aren't that I want to make this point: He played a bad guy but he was a good guy. Isn't it nice that it can also work that way?"
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:53 PM on August 1, 2015 [5 favorites]
Cyndi Lauper tweeted a nice comment about Piper. This link also includes a classic bit of wrestlefrenzy with a tired-looking (Hodgkin's?) Piper.
posted by CCBC at 3:14 PM on August 1, 2015
posted by CCBC at 3:14 PM on August 1, 2015
Complete They Live is on youtube. I watched some of it again last night. Totally forgot the man had fantastic hair.
posted by bukvich at 6:02 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bukvich at 6:02 AM on August 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by Ms. Moonlight at 9:59 AM on August 2, 2015
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 9:59 AM on August 2, 2015
“Rousey pays homage to 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper following win,” Damon Martin, FOX Sports, 02 August 2015
posted by ob1quixote at 10:24 AM on August 2, 2015
Following her 34-second knockout over Correia on Saturday night, Rousey wasted no time paying homage to her fallen friend.“Ronda Rousey remembers last time speaking to 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper,” Ibid.
"I just want to say we lost a really close friend, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who gave me permission to use his name as a fighter, so I hope him and my dad had a good time watching this today," Rousey said.
posted by ob1quixote at 10:24 AM on August 2, 2015
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posted by Anhedonic Donkey at 9:28 PM on August 2, 2015
posted by Anhedonic Donkey at 9:28 PM on August 2, 2015
Nice tribute tonight on RAW just now. I cried a good deal. Also, did you all know Roddy cut a single?
posted by vrakatar at 5:26 PM on August 3, 2015
posted by vrakatar at 5:26 PM on August 3, 2015
“‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, 1954-2015,” “The Masked Man”, Grantland, 03 August 2015
Roddy Piper, who died last week of a heart attack at 61, was born Roderick Toombs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the son of a policeman. It was a rough childhood. He was kicked out of junior high in Windsor, Ontario, for carrying a switchblade, and, unable to connect with his father, he left home. He was living on the streets and in halfway houses at 15 years old. He took to combat sports as a way out, which led him to a Golden Gloves boxing championship, a black belt in judo while training with Gene LeBell, and some gigs as a jobber in the wrestling ring. He was still a teenager.posted by ob1quixote at 8:38 PM on August 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
Piper is hardly the first wrestling star who started as a paid loser, but with him, it feels like the rest of his career was informed by that experience. It was LeBell who first saw something in Toombs, and he decided to give him a shot in the Los Angeles promotion he ran with his brother. Piper saw that the road from insignificance to the top led straight through the ultra-popular Guerrero family and their Mexican and Mexican American fan base. Piper assaulted the Guerreros literally and metaphorically, slapping noncombatant family members, disrupting trophy ceremonies, and, most famously, coming to the ring to apologize by playing the Mexican national anthem on his bagpipes and instead playing “La Cucaracha.” They started calling him “Rowdy” Roddy. These weren’t just the acts of a young villain trying to make a name — they were screams of determination by a scrawny runaway eager to make good. For Piper, it wasn’t playing heel that mattered — it was getting noticed.
I loved the Masked Man's column, but something about Brandon Stroud's writing, especially his remembrance of Piper in this week's recap of Raw shows off a bit more of the difference between the two writers. The Masked Man always seems more detached, more viewing wrestling as a cultural critic (which is a valuable role, and he is an excellent writer), whereas Stroud is a full on fan first and foremost, and when he talks about Piper, and earlier about Rhodes, you know he's cried about the loss that the reader is also feeling. The story he shared about meeting Piper is amazing, and worth a read.
posted by Ghidorah at 6:05 AM on August 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Ghidorah at 6:05 AM on August 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Masked Man always seems more detached, more viewing wrestling as a cultural critic (which is a valuable role, and he is an excellent writer), whereas Stroud is a full on fan first and foremost...
That's a really good critique, and one of the reasons that I prefer Shoemaker on the Cheap Heat podcast, where he can be more fannish and less "Let me explain this thing with which my Grantland audience of fans of other sporting endeavors may not be intimately familiar...".
posted by Etrigan at 6:14 AM on August 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's a really good critique, and one of the reasons that I prefer Shoemaker on the Cheap Heat podcast, where he can be more fannish and less "Let me explain this thing with which my Grantland audience of fans of other sporting endeavors may not be intimately familiar...".
posted by Etrigan at 6:14 AM on August 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I've just never really developed a taste for podcasts, so I've missed out on that side of Shoemaker. I kind of miss his writing on Deadspin, even if the subject matter (Dead Wrestler of the Week) was sadly so plentiful. I think maybe it didnt have that need to be as inclusive of non fans like you mention. If you were reading Deadspin, you probably had solid memories of whichever wrestler he was focusing on.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:45 AM on August 5, 2015
posted by Ghidorah at 8:45 AM on August 5, 2015
.
I am heading back to my old post here to rewatch Piper's excellent heel in the Good Enough videos.
posted by Theta States at 9:59 AM on August 5, 2015
I am heading back to my old post here to rewatch Piper's excellent heel in the Good Enough videos.
posted by Theta States at 9:59 AM on August 5, 2015
The family asked for a moment of silence today, so I set an alarm on my phone. When it popped up, The Wrestler was playing. I am a fucking wreck at my desk right now.
posted by Etrigan at 10:36 AM on August 11, 2015
posted by Etrigan at 10:36 AM on August 11, 2015
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And I'm all out of bubblegum.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:15 PM on July 31, 2015 [98 favorites]