Rare News Desk
Wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, whose birth name was Roderick Toombs, died Thursday.
Videos by Rare
Piper is regarded as the first true great villain in professional wrestling, a role that earned him as much praise as it did criticism and made him truly unique among wrestling superstars. He highlighted the first WrestleMania, as well, taking part in a match Mr. T and Hulk Hogan.
Wrestling superstars paid tribute to Piper on social media Thursday, and Ronda Rousey, who was given permission by Piper himself to use the nickname “Rowdy,” dedicated Saturday’s fight to the WWE Hall of Famer.
RIP Rowdy Roddy Piper! What a competitor?! I was honored to be your opponent in the first Wrestlemania. Bless You My Brother.
— Mr. T (@MrT) August 1, 2015
Totally lost for words,RIP,Roddy one,and God bless your family,I love you my brother,only love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) August 1, 2015
#RIPHotRod pic.twitter.com/ZGDLYm2Gl4
— Seth “Freakin’” Rollins (@WWERollins) August 1, 2015
One of the true greats of all time. My heart goes out to his family and the fans he entertained over the years. RIP Rowdy.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) July 31, 2015
RIP legend. I first met this wrestling icon when I was 12yrs old when he was wrestling my pops the… https://t.co/fHoLoKQ47f
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 1, 2015
Without Dragons,you don't need Dragon Slayers.Roddy Piper was the best Dragon The Wrestling ever saw.And with a smile,the best Dragon Slayer
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) August 1, 2015
RIP Roddy Piper. THE most Rowdy of characters, of all time. He was very good to me… Condolences to his family. #RIPRoddy
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) July 31, 2015
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of @R_Roddy_Piper. I admired Roddy so much as a wrestler – and even more as a man #RIPRoddy
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) August 1, 2015
https://twitter.com/Goldust/status/627278542041169920
. #RIPHotRod I pray for your family's strength during this time. I have fond memories of you throughout my life; I'll hold onto those now.
— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) August 1, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss @ColtToombs. I admired and respected your father, and was proud to call him a friend. pic.twitter.com/Wak158kd0N
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) August 1, 2015
My father @R_Roddy_Piper was a great man and my best friend I will miss him forever and will alway try to be the man he raised me to be
— Colt Toombs (@ColtToombs) July 31, 2015
@Goldust RIP "Rowdy" Roddy Piper pic.twitter.com/S8DxLCV555
— Billy Krause (@KrauseBilly) August 1, 2015
