WRESTLER FACTS

Name: Roddy Piper

Nickname(s): “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Hot Rod,

Real Name: Roderick Toombs

Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 235 lbs

Birthday: April 17, 1954

Marital Status: Married to Kitty Toombs

Previous Identities: The Masked Canadian, Hot Rod, the Hot Scot, Piper Machine

Biography:

Roddy Piper was a pro wrestler from 1973-1987 in the NWA, Pacific Northwest, California and most notoriously in the WWF in the eighties. He has wrestled once or twice a year in big events up until the present. He became infamous for his mouth as much as his skills in the ring. He hosted Pipers Pit which saluted the bad guys of professional wrestling. The most famous of which involved him smashing Jimmy Superfly Snuka over the head with a coconut. He was wrestling’s most popular villain because of his feud with Hulk Hogan that culminated at Wrestlemania I. Piper has acted in action flicks since he went into semi-retirement after Wrestlemania III when he beat and shaved the late Adrian Adonis. A true legend of professional wresting, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper represents the tradition of our sport with TNA Wrestling. The wild Scotsman has been a household name since he stepped foot in a wresting ring and continues to be one of the most respected and entertaining superstars today. Piper was recently selected to serve on the NWA Championship Committee with Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race! At age fifteen, Piper won the 167-pound Amateur Wrestling Championship of Manitoba. He lost his debut match against Larry "The Ax" Hennig, the father of Curt Hennig. In 1975, Roddy received his first big push in Los Angeles, where he wrestled as the "Masked Canadian." At Starrcade '83, Piper beat Valentine in the legendary "dog collar" match. Roddy lost 75% of the hearing in his left ear, which remains today, and it also threw off his equilibrium, and he was told his wrestling career was over. He then signed with the World Wrestling Federation in 1984. On November 9, 1985, Piper challenged Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight title at the "Wrestling Classic." Piper lost the match by disqualification when bodyguard, "Cowboy Ace" Bob Orton, interfered. In late 1985-early 1986, Piper had his own interview segment called "Piper's Pit." It was a segment in WWF programming where he talked to other wrestling stars. One of his shows featured Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. On his show, Piper attacked Snuka and nailed him with a coconut. After the brutal attack, Piper uttered these words, "Just when they think they got the answers, I change the questions." He and Mr. T squared off in a boxing match at Wrestlemania II. Piper was disqualified in the fourth round when he scoop slammed his opponent. Then, Piper had his "retirement match" during the third Wrestlemania, in a hair versus hair match with Adrian Adonis. Roddy won with a sleeper and Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake did the haircutting honors.