by Margo Azzarelli
If I could name just one person in the world of wrestling who has left me with more mat memories than any other wrestler,that would have to be Roderick Toombs,better known to his fans as ROWDY RODDY PIPER.Often hailed as the true Icon of the sport,Roddy has come along way from the days when his fans loved to hate him and hated to love him.But THE ROAD TO ICONISM was a tough and turbulent one for the "Hot Scot"and a road most people would not be able to perservere.
At the young age of fifteen,Roddy ran away from his Canadian home because according to him,"It was not everything that I had always dreamed it would be".Living on the streets,never knowing where or when his next meal would be or if he would find shelter for the night,Roddy had to learn to fight if he wanted to survive.Being dealt such a cruel hand at such a young age,it would have been easy for him to turn to a life of crime or escape from reality in a haze of drugs and alcohol.Instead he made competitive sports his way to vent the anger building inside;first as a boxer where he became a Golden Gloves champ while still a teenager then looking for a more lucrative career he turned to professional wrestling.
His first professional bout was against Larry "the Axe"Hennig,who outweighed Roddy by almost 150 lbs.Between his lack of experience and body mass Hennig pinned Piper in 10 seconds and was paid $25.00 for the effort.After the punishment and humiliation he sustained at the hands of Hennig,Roddy moved on from the Canadian circuits to Texas then eventually southern California.His timing was perfect.He was exactly the talent west coast promoters were looking for.They were truly convinced that no one could fill the bill of the new villain like THE Rowdy One could.His maniacal sometimes diabolical ring persona was just the beginning of what was yet to come.
In 1984 when Vince McMahon Sr. signed Roddy with the WWF his first job was as a manager to Paul "Mr.Wonderful"Orndorf followed by a stint in Big John Studd's corner.Staying on the sidelines didn't last for long,soon Piper returned to the squared circle,winning victories over Ivan Putski,Jimmy "Superfly"Snuke and the Tonga Kid.During this time of the rock n'wrestling phenomenon,while Hogan's HULKAMANIACS were saying their prayers and taking their vitamins,Piper was quickly becoming the most hated wrestler of his time.Hurling insults as well as coconuts(you diehard Piper fans should remember that Piper's Pit episode)Piper attacked some of the biggest names in the wrestling industry.Despite Roddys alienation of the fans in the end the love-hate worship would turn to faithful allegiance which erupted during a special boxing match against Mr.T at WM 2.Jeers became cheers when fans openly encouraged Piper's gutsiness to gain a victory over the one time bodyguard.Hearing the crowds admiration for possibly the first time in his career Piper vowed to represent the fans while being true to his own principles!!
It wasn't long after the Mr.T matchup that Hollywood began clamoring for Mister Pipers charm and charisma.To embark on a film career the Rowdy One officially retired from the ring at WM3.The announcement made at a press conference before the match saddened many of his wrestling fans but now with more than 20 movies to his credit there is no disputing it,Piper's career choice has definately made him the most successful wrestler turned actor to date bringing with him followers from the wrestling stands as well as the movie seats.
Roddy eventually returned to the sport that had made him a living legend.All the glitz and glamour of Hollywood simply could not satisfy his needs in the same way that the ring could bring.His passion for the fight was evident in his comeback at WM 5.Who will ever forget the live"Piper's Pit"with Brother Love and obnoxious talk show host Morton Downey Jr.In his usual Rowdy Style Piper blasted Downey with a fire extinguisher when he would not put out his cigarette.
As the eighties bowed down to the nineties Roddy showed us yet another side of his multi-talented self by doing color commentary,but calling the action from behind the microphone didn't last for long.He jumped back into the ring using his usual recipe for success--99% back alley brawling and 1% scientific wrestling skills..Gaining victories over superstars like Ric Flair,Ted Dibiase and I.R.S. just to name a few.In January of 1992 during the Royal Rumble,Roddy defeated the Mountie to win the Intercontinental Belt.It was the first time he had held any title in the WWF.His reign lasted until WM 8,where he lost to Bret The Hitman Hart.After handing over the belt to the Hitman Roddy once again vanished from the ring to further his acting career.
1995 issued another challenge for the Hot Scot and this time it was not coming from the ring.The many years of pain and punishment were beginning to take its toll on Roddy's body.He needed to have hip replacement surgery.The prognosis from the doctors was a grim one.They advised him not to return to wrestling.If anyone thought a prosthetic hip was going to stop Roddy from what he loved most in life then they'd better think again.More determined than ever to prove the doctors wrong Roddy underwent many sessions of grueling therapy.And just six months after being told he would never set foot in the ring again Roddy made his triumphant return,winning the biggest victory of his life overcoming his own adversity.
In late 1996 Roddy signed with another big promotion,World Championship Wrestling.His mission---to prove who was the best in the history of pro-wrestling.Some may consider that to be Flair or Hogan but Roddy has defeated them both-Hogan on more than one occasion.It would seem Roddy's action in the ring is speaking louder than his words.During his more than twenty five years in the wrestling business,Roddy has held 22 titles including Light Heavyweight Champ at the age of 19.Unlike Hogan and Flair he has never worn the world championship belt around his waist--YET.
Currently Piper's appearances in the ring are sporadic and at the age of 48,some wrestling critics say it's time for him to hang up his kilt.How does Roddy feel about this?In his own words I'll let him sum it up for you.."When I walk away from wrestling I don't want any what ifs haunting me for years to come".Let's hope for the sake of his fans those "what ifs"will go unanswered well into the next millenium.
From teenage runaway to wrestler to ICON,the name ROWDY RODDY PIPER will always ring synonymous with the sport of professional wrestling even after the last bell is rung.
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