"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, one of the most charismatic characters on televised wrestling in the 1980s, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. Up until two weeks ago, Piper, 52, was touring Europe with World Wrestling Entertainment, but then he returned to Canada to have a doctor check out discomfort in his back. It turns out, he has a cancerous tumor on a disc on his spine. He'll begin treatment immediately, with the support of his wife and four children. Piper told a Canadian newspaper that he's determined to defeat the cancer.Piper shared the wrestling spotlight with Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan in the 1980s, starring in the first of the Wrestlemania events. He even co-starred in a Saturday morning cartoon with fellow wrestlers. Piper's real name is Roderick George Toombs, but he chose Roddy Piper as his wrestling alter-ego, complete with bagpipe and Scottish "rage".
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
11-29-2006 @ 7:12PM
MW said...
Roddy Piper is in one of the best movies ever -- "They Live."
Seriously, it has one of the best fight scenes of all time (the one with him and Keith David) and features the line "I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And I'm all out of bubble gum."
Here's hoping for a successful recovery.
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11-29-2006 @ 7:15PM
Justin said...
Get well soon, HOT ROD! He's my favorite wrestler of all time, and his performance in THEY LIVE is fantastic!
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11-29-2006 @ 8:55PM
erroneous_nick said...
It's been ages since I've seen "They Live". I forgot how much I liked that movie and MW's right about that fight scene!
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11-30-2006 @ 8:48AM
Katie said...
Aww, this is so sad!!! I lurved my Hot Rod back in the day and like y'all lurved him in "They Live." But my most favorite Roddy moment was his cameo in Cyndi Lauper's Goonies music video. "Aww cookies...so sweet. Now why don't you take ya face and make a suitcase. Ha ha. Bye bye." Good luck Roddy. We're pulling for you.
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11-30-2006 @ 9:06AM
bobby henry said...
get well hot rod youre a legend im a big wrestling fan from southeast texas
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11-30-2006 @ 9:10AM
Lucy said...
Roddy, you have been one of my favorites for years. I pray you will work through this trying time with ease. God Gless You!
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11-30-2006 @ 9:16AM
Chip Stokes said...
I was a huge fan of Ric Flair back in the old Mid-Atlantic days of the late 70's. Roddy can east and landed here, and he and Ric had a monumental fued, that led to his later success with the WWF. In Ric's book, he recounts many insane adventures he and Hot Rod had. All our prayers for recovery and to get back in that ring with Ric one more time!
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11-30-2006 @ 9:14AM
ApacheCraft said...
I actually met,"Hot Rod", at his place outside of Portland, Or. He was a very quick witted guy, but very humble. My cousin had known him for a number of years, living near Portland himself. Roddy Piper personified the Heel or bad guy, and made a blueprint for guys like Triple H, StoneCold Steve Austin, and the others. The Rowdy Scott, will pull through this, and be back to fight again. You watch! Hot Rod, I'll be praying for ya brother. Get well! God Bless!!! ApacheCraft
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11-30-2006 @ 9:15AM
larry said...
HOT ROD if this gets to you, I am saddened by the news, however if you fight this with the attitude and determination that you have in the ring i know you will be ok.
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11-30-2006 @ 9:59AM
Bugman Rich said...
How sad to hear this news. Roddy Piper has always been good for "the show". His efforts have always been on the high end, even as he aged and the character he portrays has always been consistant. I feel fortunate to have seen him in action. I only hope that his recovery is speedy and that he has mnany years left with his family. To keep thins in perspective, wrestling is nothing hi family is everything...
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11-30-2006 @ 11:03AM
Daryl said...
Hot Rod: Even though you were a nemesis most times with my main man, Da Nature Boy, you were one of my top 5. Goodspeed on the recovery. Will keep you in our prayers.
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12-01-2006 @ 8:29AM
Gary said...
My thoughts and prayers for you Sir! Been watching you for over two decades and enjoyed every minute of it! God Bless You!!!
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11-30-2006 @ 9:31AM
Sheila Kay Barrow said...
The saying goes" If God brings you to it, He will bring you thru it." I will be praying for you. Think only positive thoughts. I have always enjoyed your showmanship and have watched you for years. Really missed you when you weren't there.
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11-30-2006 @ 10:46AM
michael j.. said...
yea that THEY LIVE I laughed my ass of with that fight scene and im sure it was real...ive done that when I was a kid but now???hell no...im 38 ..I wish him luck and I love that guy because he is not only my idol..but he is like who I was as a kid and in my teens...
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11-30-2006 @ 9:44AM
Law said...
May The God of Heaven and Earth heal your body in Jesus Christ's Name
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11-30-2006 @ 9:33AM
Crystal said...
Hot rod is a pioneer for so many of todays wrestlers. His "Piper's Pit" is a blueprint for so manyof the interviewing techniques now. Any wrestler that has their own "show" on RAW or Smackdown i.e. "The Cutting Edge" etc. has Piper to thank for the format and the successs of that style is the reason they are able to do anything like it now. He was and always will be a showman and even at the age he is today, he always makes me laugh. Here' s to his continuing health and making us all laugh more in the future.
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11-30-2006 @ 9:53AM
phil said...
it's going to be sad to see all of our favorite old school wrestlers develope problems like this and or pass away. good luck, roddy
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11-30-2006 @ 9:35AM
brad said...
I LOVED SEEING YOU AND RIC WIN THE TAG BELTS.I HOPE YOU GET WELL SOON SO WE CAN SEE YOU KICK ASS ONCE AGAIN.
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11-30-2006 @ 9:53AM
JOSE said...
i HOPE YOU BEAT THIS AM PULLING FOR YA,I ALWAYS SAID YOUR ONE OF A KIND,YES YOU ARE.
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11-30-2006 @ 9:43AM
Dennis said...
Rowdy, you,ve always been a favorite of mine for years way back when mean gene was announcing, i have twice survived cancer, one being non/hodgkins lymphoma, both times the odds were against me, but i was determined and never let up, your a fighter and you will beat this, keep your chin-up a positive outlook and laughter helps. God bless you Roddy, Dennisdhwy
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