I wrote a new column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after hearing about the passing of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. The following is an excerpt:
“I was rowdy before rowdy was cool.”
It made for a good sound bite in a promo 30 years ago, and today it might sum up “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who passed away at age 61 after suffering cardiac arrest in his sleep.
Piper was ahead of the times. He not only marched to the beat of his own drum, he played to the tune of his own bagpipes.
If John Wayne didn’t have a bad guy to fight, he wouldn’t have been John Wayne. If Roddy Piper wasn’t the bad guy he was, Hulk Hogan would have never been Hulk Hogan. Period.
Hogan gets — perhaps I should say ‘got’ — love from fervent and casual fans. True fans and students of the sport knew Piper’s importance to professional wrestling.
In the 1980s, villains were predictable. Some weren’t believable and were something straight out of Hollywood with their size or look. Others played the anti-American role, which played perfectly with Hogan walking to the ring with the song “Real American” blaring.
Piper? He was real and unpredictable. He set the tone for what the audience wanted to see from their heels. Piper was just crazy enough to be an attraction but believable enough that you knew he wasn’t to be trifled with.
Piper didn’t need anyone to speak for him, nor did he need to intimidate with a silent demeanor. He could recite a nursery rhyme and give you chills while doing it. He had that kind of talent with his words, inflection and facial expressions.
Before there was Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock or CM Punk, there was “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
CLICK HERE for my memory of the first time backstage meeting Piper and more!
