While billed from Glasgow, Scotland, Roddy Piper is actually Canadian, hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Also known as "Hot Rod" and "Rowdy Roddy," Piper wrestled in both the AWA (American Wrestling Alliance) and the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) through the 70s before gaining fame/notoriety as part of the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s [the wrestling promotion would later change its name to World Wrestling Entertainment following a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund]. He hosted an interview segment called "Piper's Pit," the most famous episode ending after Piper, then cast as a heel, hit Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka with a pineapple. He also feuded against Hulk Hogan, and his celebrity allies, Cyndi Lauper, Mr. T, and the late Captain Lou Albano. He boxed against Mr. T at one of the early Wrestlemanias. After a run as a face in the WWF, Piper debuted on World Championship Wrestling, where as a face, he feuded with a heel "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and Bret Hart, whose family Piper is related to. After the WWE acquired WCW, Piper has been in and out of the promotion, appearing as both a manager and as a wrestler. He has also made appearances in the now-defunct UPW (Ultimate Pro-Wrestling) and TNA (Total Nonstop Action). His TNA employment ended in controversy after he publicly blasted Vince Russo for a lack of empathy with regards to the death of Owen Hart. He continues to make appearances with indie promotions at conventions and small promotion events.
As an actor, Piper is renowned for B-movies like Hell Comes to Frogtown, Buy & Cell, and They Live. More recently, he has been doing voice acting, including roles in Green Lantern: Emerald Knights and Robot Chicken on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim broadcasting. With the announcement of the new WWE 24 hour network in February of 2014, Piper is slated to appear in some of the wrestling franchise's original programming.
Log in to comment