‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper Passes Away At Age 61

News
Aug 1, 2015

Here are all of our current updates on the shocking passing of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper on Friday. R.I.P Roddy!

UPDATE x 11: Ronda Rousey and ESPN’s SportsCenter tweeted the following Friday night, noting that Ronda will dedicate her UFC 190 fight this weekend to Roddy Piper. For those unaware, Ronda got her “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey nickname from Piper and he’s said numerous times he approved the nickname when she asked to use it several years ago:

UPDATE 10: Here is video of WWE ringing a ten-bell salute for Roddy Piper during their house show in San Diego, California:

UPDATE 9: WWE has paid tribute to the late Roddy Piper with a new video. You can see the video below, which the company released this evening to pay homage to the man who was such an big part of the company’s rise in the ’80s.

As previously reported, Piper passed away in his sleep late last night due to a heart attack.

UPDATE 8: Ric Flair issued a statement to TMZ following the passing of Roddy Piper today. You can see the statement below from Flair:

“We’ve shared the ring, traveled the world, maintained a friendship throughout the ups and downs of the wrestling world, and battled to see who was the better heel. It’s almost impossible to express my grief. My condolences to his children and to his wife Kitty. I’ll miss you Roddy. The world will never be as Rowdy without you.”

As reported earlier today, Piper passed away in his sleep at the age of 61 from a heart attack.

UPDATE 7: Colt Toombs, an aspiring pro wrestling and beginning MMA fighter, took to Twitter on Friday evening to comment on the passing of his father, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

“My father Roddy Piper was a great man and my best friend,” wrote Toombs. “I will miss him forever and will alway try to be the man he raised me to be.”

Piper’s daughter Ariel also tweeted the following:

UPDATE 6: The wrestling industry’s reaction to Roddy Piper’s death continues with some more posts from Steve Austin, Triple H, Jesse Ventura, Kurt Angle and more:

Just heard about the Hot Rod. All I can say is damn. Another one gone. He was always so cool with me. We had some great talks. RIPower

— MVP (@The305MVP) July 31, 2015

UPDATE 5: The wrestling industry is reacting to the sudden death today of Roddy Piper at the age of 61. Hulk Hogan spoke with TMZ Sports, saying, “I will forever miss him….He was my best friend. He is a legend.”

He added, “God’s gain is our loss. May his family in this time of need, find peace. Much love forever, HH.”

Others have taken to Twitter to react; a sampling is below:

UPDATE 4: Hulk Hogan tells TMZ Sports ... he's devastated over the news of his friend Roddy Piper -- saying, "I will forever miss him."

"He was my best friend. He is a legend."

Hogan adds, "God's gain is our loss. May his family in this time of need, find peace. Much love forever, HH."

Hogan and Piper were the two of the biggest stars in wrestling back in the '80s -- and famously did battle at Wrestlemania I in 1985.

But outside the ring, they were tight -- and remained friends for decades.

The Iron Sheik has also issued a statement ... saying, "Roddy Piper. I love you forever. God bless you bubba."

UPDATE 3: WWE has provided a company statement, as well as one by Vince McMahon, to us about Roddy Piper’s passing today:

WWE is deeply saddened that Roderick Toombs, aka “Rowdy” Roddy Piper — WWE Hall of Famer and Intercontinental Champion — passed away today at the age of 61.

WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Toombs’ family, friends and fans.

“Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

The statement is also posted on WWE.com.

UPDATE x 2: TMZ has more news on Roddy Piper’s death, revealing that the WWE legend passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack. Piper’s agent told the site, “I am devastated at this news. Rod was a good friend as well as a client and one of the most generous, sincere and authentic people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all.”

In addition, Piper’s family issued a statement, saying, “Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper.”

UPDATE: The following is from TMZ.com:

Wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61... TMZ Sports has learned.

Piper -- born Roderick George Toombs -- died from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in Hollywood at around noon Friday.

Piper was a wrestling icon -- one of the biggest stars in the WWE back in the '80s, and even wrestled in "Wrestlemania I" back in 1985 ... squaring off against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.

Roddy's rep tells us, "I am devastated at this news. Rod was a good friend as well as a client and one of the most generous, sincere and authentic people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all."

Piper had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006, but last November he said he was cancer free. A family source tells us he was "cancer free" at the time of his death.

A family member tells us, "Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper."

Roddy was admitted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2005 and was one of the top 50 villains in the history of the WWE .

Piper had a long relationship with WWE -- last wrestling back in 2008 ... but appeared on various WWE shows up until 2014.

Roddy is survived by his wife Kitty and their 4 kids -- including 3 daughters and son Colton who's pursuing a career in professional wrestling.

The death is especially shocking considering we just spoke to him on Friday and asked his opinion about the Hulk Hogan scandal.

ORIGINAL: Roddy Piper has passed away. TMZ reports that Piper died at a home in Hollywood from natural causes. He had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006, but had said he was cancer-free as recently as November.

Piper, of course, is a pivotal figure in WWE history and wrestling in general. Beginning his career in 1969 at the age of fifteen, Piper spent his early days in the business working for the American Wrestling Association and the NWA. He spent time in the Pacific Northwest territory and Georgia Championship Wrestling before signing with the WWE in 1983, where he became one of the company’s biggest heels. His feud with Hulk Hogan is likely his most memorable; he also had runs in WCW and TNA as well. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

On behalf of everyone here on the website, we send our condolences to the family, fans and friends of Mr. Piper. He will most definitely be missed.

100% DIRECT LINK (*BRAND NEW PHOTO*): Kelly Kelly Tanning Her **HOT ASS** - MASSIVE BOOTY SHOT!! **MUST-SEE**!!!!

Trending
  1. WWE SmackDown TV Taping Spoilers for November 29th Episode - Men's WarGames Match Advantage Set, Jade Cargill Women's US Title Tournament Match & WarGames Team UpdateWWE SmackDown TV Taping Spoilers for November 29th Episode – Men’s WarGames…
  2. AEW: Toni Storm Announced "Retirement" from Wrestling, Jon Moxley on "AEW Has To Be A Success. If It's Not, The Business Gets Set Back 20 Years", Wardlow Knee Injury UpdateAEW: Toni Storm Announced “Retirement” from Wrestling, Jon Moxley on “AEW…
  3. WWE Announces January 2025 Shut Down Date for WWE Network ServiceWWE Announces January 2025 Shut Down Date for WWE Network Service
  4. CM Punk Confirmed for OG Bloodline WarGames Team & Updated Men's WarGames Match for WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2024CM Punk Confirmed for OG Bloodline WarGames Team & Updated Men’s WarGames Match…
  5. WWE SmackDown Results - Nov. 22, 2024 - Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens to Go Face-to-Face, LA Knight vs. Santos EscobarWWE SmackDown Results – Nov. 22, 2024 – Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens to Go…
  6. WWE SmackDown Notes: Chelsea Green Advances in Women’s US Title Tournament, Jade Cargill Gets Attacked by Mystery Person, Cody Rhodes Issues Challenge to Kevin Owens, Paul Heyman & CM Punk Surprise Return, 11/29 Show CardWWE SmackDown Notes: Chelsea Green Advances in Women’s US Title Tournament, Jade Cargill…