Roddy Piper

name="Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Career

Toombs began wrestling at the age of 15. He was an extremely talented heel in the business who wrestled all over the United States and Canada.

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Piper entered the WWF in 1984 as a manager, but soon started wrestling full-time. Later that year, he was given his own interview segment called "Piper's Pit," in which he talked to other superstars, and which would frequently end in a fight between Piper and his guest.

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The "Piper's Pit" segments were legendary and helped create the feuds Piper would have with other wrestlers. He even went as far as insulting superstars, such as, Andre the Giant, Mr. T, and preliminary wrestler Frank Williams.

Related Topics:
Andre the Giant - Mr. T - Frank Williams

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In one Piper's Pit legendary interview with "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka, Piper started insulting Snuka's heritage by bringing out pineapples, banannas, and dropping coconuts onto the table. Snuka took offense to this, and Piper then attacked Snuka by hitting him over the head with a coconut, then shoved a banana in his face. He followed up by whipping Snuka with his belt. Piper then left before Snuka could fight back. This incident led to a long angle between the two.

Related Topics:
"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka - Coconut

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A feud between Piper and Hulk Hogan erupted soon after, and became what was at the time the highest-profile feud in wrestling history, thanks to the involvement of pop singer Cyndi Lauper.

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In 1985, MTV broadcast "The War To Settle The Score", featuring a main-event matchup between Piper and Hogan. This event set up the very first WrestleMania, which featured a match between Piper and Paul Orndorff versus Hogan and Mr. T. Piper would face Mr. T in a boxing match at WrestleMania 2 in 1986.

Related Topics:
1985 - MTV - WrestleMania - Paul Orndorff - Mr. T - Boxing - WrestleMania 2 - 1986

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Following a leave of absence from the WWF, Piper returned to find his "Piper's Pit" segment replaced by "The Flower Shop", a segment hosted by effiminate wrestler Adrian Adonis. Piper stormed the set of Adonis' show, and destroyed it. This led to their match at WrestleMania III, which was billed as Piper's retirement match.

Related Topics:
Adrian Adonis - WrestleMania III

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Piper would return to the WWF with a live "Piper's Pit" at WrestleMania V. He also wrestled part-time, while serving as an on-air host and commentator.

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At the 1992 Royal Rumble, Piper defeated the Mountie for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, but lost it soon after to Bret Hart at WrestleMania VIII.

Related Topics:
1992 - Royal Rumble - The Mountie - WWF Intercontinental Championship - Bret Hart - WrestleMania VIII

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Piper was always known for his charismatic attitude and ability to match wits with absolutely anyone, as well as holding a resilience in the ring matched only by a very few.

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Later in 1996, Piper left the WWF for WCW. He appeared at "Halloween Havoc" to "break Hogan's monotony." In the fall of 2000, WCW terminated Piper's contract.

Related Topics:
1996 - WCW - Halloween Havoc - Hogan - 2000

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In November 2002, Piper's autobiography, ', was released. At WrestleMania XIX in Seattle, WA, Piper ran in during the Hulk Hogan-Vince McMahon bloodbath, and turned heel again by attacking Hogan with a steel pipe. He brought back "Piper's Pit" on the April 10, 2003 edition of SmackDown!, and smashed a coconut over the head of Rikishi. Around the same time on RAW, Chris Jericho started "The Highlight Reel" a show similar to "Piper's Pit." In June 2003, WWE officially released Piper from his contract, after a controversial interview with HBO in which Piper discussed the darker side of the wrestling business.

Related Topics:
November - 2002 - Autobiography - WrestleMania XIX - Seattle, WA - Ran in - Vince McMahon - April 10 - 2003 - SmackDown! - Rikishi - Chris Jericho - June - HBO

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In 2004 Piper appeared for the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, hosting several "In the Pit with Piper" interview segments. He also served as one of their NWA Championship Committee members, culminating in refereeing a match at their Final Resolution pay-per-view event.

Related Topics:
2004 - Total Nonstop Action Wrestling - Pay-per-view

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On February 21, 2005, it was announced that Roddy Piper was to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 21, along with "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, The Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, Jimmy Hart, and Hulk Hogan.

Related Topics:
February 21 - 2005 - WWE Hall of Fame - WrestleMania 21 - Paul Orndorff - "Cowboy" Bob Orton - The Iron Sheik - Nikolai Volkoff - Jimmy Hart - Hulk Hogan

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Piper also recently held an edition of "Piper's Pit" at Wrestlemania 21 where he interviewed Stone Cold Steve Austin. The interview was interrupted by Carlito Caribbean Cool, who was promptly beaten up by both Piper and Stone Cold.

Related Topics:
Piper's Pit - Stone Cold Steve Austin - Carlito Caribbean Cool

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Piper has acted in several movies through the years. His best-known role is as the hero of the 1988 John Carpenter science fiction film They Live. Notable in his movie appearances is his refusal to doff his wedding band for a role, despite the character he is portraying.

Related Topics:
1988 - John Carpenter - They Live

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In April 2005, Piper co-presented "Celebrity Wrestling" in the United Kingdom on ITV. This Saturday evening reality show saw celebrities learn wrestling and compete in challenge matches. After a few week the programme was to be cancelled, but instead was moved to sunday morning to finish its final episodes.

Related Topics:
April - 2005 - Celebrity Wrestling - United Kingdom - ITV

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On Monday night Raw 7/11/05 The "Rowdy One" returned with Piper's Pit to ask Shawn Michaels why he blind sided Hulk Hogan a week before only to be blind sided himself at the end of the segment.

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Finishing/Signature Moves

• Sleeper Hold
• Eye Poke
• Kick to Groin
• Piledriver
• Punch Combination

Previous Managers

• "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr.

Quotes

• "Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions!"
• "Real men wear kilts."
• "You ain't seen nothing yet!"
• "I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... And I'm all out of bubblegum!"
• "You don't throw rocks at a man with a machine gun!"
• "I am your reality check!"
• "Bottom Line!"