The passing of Roddy Piper has been especially hard on those of us who grew up in the Northeast during the late 1980s and �90s. Roddy was truly larger than life, and it's hard to express just what he meant to me as a wrestling fan. I'm planning to write a retrospective piece on the "Hot Rod" within the next few days, and in preparation I began watching all the Roddy tapes I could find. Of course "tapes" means "internet" in 2015, so I figured I might as well share my findings with the good people at Cheap-Heat.com. Roddy Piper was more than just a man in a kilt who cracked coconuts and told jokes—he was an outstanding professional wrestler. I've combed through YouTube and Dailymotion to find seven stellar Roddy Piper matches I think everybody has to see. The majority of these matches are shown in their entirety, but there are a couple you'll need to click "Part 2" to continue. I think it's a small inconvenience considering the man we're honoring today. We can all take solace that Roddy will be in good company when he walks through the ropes of that big ring in the sky.
7. LA Olympic Auditorium (1976)
Roddy Piper vs. Chavo Guerrero Sr.
Roddy was born in Canada and got his start in America working along the west coast. He enjoyed nearly 3 years working opposite Chavo Guerrero Sr., a program that would help the "Hot Rod" develop his verbal timing and comedy chops. It was Chavo who prompted Piper to play "La Cucaracha" in lieu of the Mexican National Anthem—in Mexico. Here's Roddy against Chavo in 1976 when Piper was just 22-years old. (Part Two Available)
6. WrestleMania III – Hair versus Hair Match (1987)
Roddy Piper vs. Adrian Adonis
Piper started making movies such as "They Live" and "Hell Comes to Frogtown." To Roddy, filmmaking was a matter of "quantity over quality." Roddy has more than 40 film credits to his name, including over a dozen television appearances. His cinematic career began to balloon out of control and in 1987, Piper stepped away from the Sports Entertainment spotlight, and went off to Hollywood. He returned two years later, but that's not the point. Here he is in his "Farewell Match" – a hair versus hair contest featuring Adrian Adonis. (Part Two Available)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x12f1ts
5. WrestleMania XII – Hollywood Backlot Brawl (1996)
Roddy Piper vs. Goldust
I often say that 1996 was my favorite year in of professional wrestling. It was a pretty good year for Roddy Piper as well, who went from being the Interim President of the WWF, to a main event talent in WCW. Piper's most prolific moment in 1996 was a match Dave Meltzer refused to grade. It's the Hollywood Backlot Brawl from Wrestlemania XII!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zx64u
4. Pacific Northwest Wrestling – 2/3 Falls Match (1980)
Roddy Piper vs. Buddy Rose
Roddy made his name working for Don Owens' Pacific Northwest Wrestling located in Portland Oregon. Here's a vintage cut [that means terrible video] of Roddy's one-on-one 2 out of 3 falls match against "Playboy" Buddy Rose.
3. Starrcade 1983 – Dog Collar Match (1983)
Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine
This is one of the bloodiest, and most brutal brawls every recorded on tape. It's a true testament to what kind of performer Piper was, and how far he'd go to entertain his fans. Unfortunately it's very hard to find a free video of this match. It is currently available on the WWE Network as part of Starrcade 1983. Instead of leaving you with nothing, I've included a retrospective interview featuring both Roddy Piper and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.
2. WrestleMania VIII – Intercontinental Championship (1992)
Roddy Piper (c) vs. Bret Hart
Nobody retired more than Roddy Piper. In 1992, "Hot Rod" won the coveted Intercontinental Championship from the Mountie. He put the strap on the line against Bret "The Hitman" Hart at Wrestlemania VIII in what some believe to be the match of the night.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj4sqf
1. The Wrestling Classic – WWF Championship (1985)
Roddy Piper vs. Hulk Hogan
Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan had an intense rivalry that was rooted in reality. Piper was among the most popular Sports Entertainers on Vince McMahon's roster, but Hogan was the one who reaped all of the rewards. Their tag team match at Wrestlemania will always be remembered as one the most iconic in history. But their one-on-one title match at The Wrestling Classic was absolutely outstanding, and even earned a 4-Star Rating from Dave Meltzer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Roddy's children and grandchildren, as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper will remain in our hearts until the end of time. Just when we thought we had the answers, he changed the questions. Until next time, please LIKE "The B+ Players Podcast" on Facebook, and FOLLOW me on Twitter for all the latest and greatest updates courtesy of Cheap-Heat and Daily Wrestling News!
