ROWDY RODDY PIPER: HIS THREE GREATEST FEUDS

Rowdy Roddy Piper as N.W.A. U.S. Champion

July 31, 2019 marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Rowdy Roddy Piper, one of wrestling's greatest legends. Roddy Piper is one of the greatest wrestlers to ever step in the ring not only for his in ring ability but also for his ability to draw people in with his amazing interviews. In this post I'd like to talk about some of Piper's greatest feuds.

ROWDY RODDY PIPER VS. GREG VALENTINE


At Starrcade 1983, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine made history in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greg Valentine was the U.S. Champion defending against Piper in a dog collar match. Piper and Valentine were connected by collars around their necks connected by a 12-foot logging chain.

The match was brutal and physical as Valentine used the metal chain to beat Piper up and damaged his left ear drum during the match. This match by today's standards, would be considered hardcore but back in 1983, that was just the southern style of wrestling. Roddy Piper would come out victorious and win the U.S. Championship to a raucous crowd.

ROWDY RODDY PIPER VS HULK HOGAN


After leaving the N.W.A.(National Wrestling Alliance) in 1983, Roddy Piper moved onto WWE. Piper feuded with Jimmy Superfly Snuka and soon feuded with Hulk Hogan after Piper attacked Cyndi Lauper. By 1985 at Wrestlemania I, Piper and Hogan were the hottest wrestlers on the planet. Piper was always one of the best villains in wrestling. His skills on the mic during interviews along with Hogan's popularity made Wrestlemania a must see attraction.  

At Wrestlemania I Piper teamed with Paul Orndorff and Hogan teamed with Mr. T who was the star of the A-Team TV show.With the cross promotion of MTV and WWE, pro wrestling was approaching a new level of popularity. Piper and Orndorff lost the match to Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.

ROWDY RODDY PIPER VS. MR.T



At Wrestlemania 2, Roddy Piper faced Mr. T in a boxing match. Piper was still the biggest villain in wrestling and Mr. T was a big star thanks to the A-Team TV show. Piper hated Mr. T because he was an outsider coming into pro wrestling. Piper used his incredible mic skills to build the match up. During the boxing match, Piper body slammed Mr. T and lost the match, but he gained the respect of the fans.

It's been four years since the passing of Rowdy Roddy Piper. He was one of the best personalities to ever grace the squared circle. Today pro wrestling needs more characters and wrestlers like The Hot Rod. He's left a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR