Wrestling Community Remembers Influence Of 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper
HUNTINGTON PARK (CBSLA.com) — One of the most beloved superstars in WWE history, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, passed away Friday.
Piper, a wrestling and pop-culture icon, died of a heart attack at his home in Hollywood.
He was most known for his legendary battles with Hulk Hogan and was one of the biggest stars of the WWE in the 1980s.
Piper was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Piper's success did not stop in the ring, however, as he found success as an actor, staring in the science fiction film called "They Live," directed by John Carpenter.
Fans across the country are devastated by the loss. Dennis Parian is a fan of Piper's, and he even went as far as to say that Piper inspired him to become an independent wrestler.
"Piper would go to extremes to entertain, even smashing bottles on his head," Parian said.
"It was his mouth, his actions, Roddy was just crazy with the mic, crazy in the ring," Parian added.
Celebrities also weighed in on the tragedy, as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson posted on Instagram that "[Piper] was a huge influence on me as a kid and an even bigger one when I became The Rock in WWE".
The Iron Sheik tweeted out his prayers to Piper as well.
RODDY PIPER. I LOVE YOU FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU BUBBA
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) July 31, 2015
Vince McMahon, a professional wrestling promoter, commentator and wrestler, said: "Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE."
Piper is survived by his wife and four children. He was 61.
