Episode 44 - "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

[the_faction]

...technical difficulties on the LEGO Corner, huh. Sounded like some individuals were getting into the weeds there on their Star Wars & LEGO discussions.

I've read Roddy's book, but it was so long ago it was great to get a refresher on his career as it's amazing that some of that stuff just fades w/ time.

[Swarm]

Look forward to listening.

Unfortunately I was too young and naive to appreciate Piper (like Flair) in the 80’s. Wasn’t until I was much older did I realize what a huge contribution he made to WWF, Hogan and wrestling in general. Truly one of the greatest ever.

[Tournament Master]

Jan 21, 2022 5:37:10 GMT -5 the_faction said:

...technical difficulties on the LEGO Corner, huh. Sounded like some individuals were getting into the weeds there on their Star Wars & LEGO discussions.

Nah, more of a fact that Sam was recording and his internet cut out right as we were discussing Legos. Sam and I hopped back on to do the close, which is why Mike mysteriously disappeared. But he does give his regards to his friends in the Baltic.

[Pariah]

This was a very enlightening episode... Especially for someone (like myself) who did not get a chance to witness any of Piper's earlier work... As I think I mentioned when I was a guest of the podcast, the first wrestling show I ever watched was the episode of WWF Superstars that included the infamous installment of Piper's Pit when Andre ripped Hogan's shirt.

But, what I really want to address are the statements made by Mike M re. the inability to release an online card for Piper... As someone who has ONLY played the online game for the past seven years and owns pretty much everything that is available for the online game, I greatly appreciate the efforts of the entire FG staff for all the superb talent that have been signed to appear in the game - in ANY medium! I agree that it says a lot about the integrity of the family for wanting to stay true, not only to their word, but to the spirit of their word... And I think we should all remember that having Roddy Piper in the game at all lends a whole lot of credibility to the product as a whole... Who knows? Maybe seeing that printed card will (or even has) convince other Legends and future Legends to become a part of this roster someday.

On another note... In regards to the fast food debate... Like my friend and fellow Canadian, Lee, I absolutely love poutine in several of its various forms... You haven't lived until you've tried a donair poutine!

[DK II]

Jan 21, 2022 8:47:10 GMT -5 Swarm said:

Unfortunately I was too young and naive to appreciate Piper (like Flair) in the 80’s. Wasn’t until I was much older did I realize what a huge contribution he made to WWF, Hogan and wrestling in general. Truly one of the greatest ever.

I was going to say something very close to this...When you look back at Piper, he really was the center of attraction, and if not for him, Hogan (and others) doesn't get over nearly as much as they did. I really did not like him, and that's how it was supposed to be!

[malicelover]

Piper was an incredibly good dude. I got the opportunity to interview him in the fall of 2007 in my role as a daily news reporter at a local newspaper in Marion, Indiana. At the time he was going through his battle with cancer at the same time my father was going through cancer treatments. Piper actually stayed in touch to check in and talk through things. Never made a big deal about it, myself, and I am sure Piper surely forgot about it in soon after he found out my dad’s cancer surgery was a success, however it meant the world to me.

Piper’s work in Portland and his work in Mid Atlantic was what I will remember most. I still laugh every time I watch the first Starrcade, when early in the card Piper is in the fan favorites locker room giving advice to Flair before his match with Harley Race for the title, like he was offering technical wrestling tips to one of the greatests of all time.

[Matt]

Great listen, Piper was definitely one of a kind. Lots of early memories hating him.

[Vegas]

Last year one of the wrestling books I read was Bob Backlund's book in which "Rowdy" Roddy Piper wrote the Foreword.

In the Foreword, Piper says Backlund is the one who made him in the eyes of promoters around the country when Backlund, on his way back from wrestling in Japan, stopped in Los Angeles to defend the WWWF Heavyweight Championship against Piper at the Olympic Auditorium and took Piper to 59 minutes in a match with a 1-hour time limit. With his written high regard for Backlund, it is great that Piper is in the same LOW color set as Backlund.

[Lee]

Great episode! I am glad you guys answered my burning question. Next episode should be interesting

[Sinestro24]

Very excited for this deep dive on Piper, going to save it for my Flight on Thursday.