Paying the Piper
In professional wrestling, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was best known to international audiences for his work with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) between 1984 and 2000. Although he was Canadian, Piper was billed as coming from Glasgow and was known for his signature kilt and bagpipe entrance music; this was because of his Scottish heritage. Piper earned the nicknames "Rowdy" and "Hot Rod" by displaying his trademark "Scottish" short temper, spontaneity, and quick wit. According to The Daily Telegraph, he is "considered by many to be the greatest heel wrestler ever".
One of wrestling's most recognizable stars, Piper headlined multiple PPV events, including the WWF and WCW's respective premier annual events, WrestleMania and Starrcade. He accumulated a few championships including US, IC and tag titles. He hosted the popular WWF interview segment "Piper's Pit", which facilitated numerous feuds. Most of those feuds were with Jimmy “The Superfly” Snuka, Hulk Hogan and even Mr. T at the first Wrestlemania.
Roddy also went on to star in the film They Live and eventually manage Sean O’Haire before both of their passings. Due to his willingness to express himself he helped encouraged me to express my Irish heritage, and obtain my own kilt. This was why I gravitated towards him because he had a no nonsense style of being himself. No matter if his attitude or the way he spoke he did not play by the rules. In 2005, Piper was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Ric Flair, who dubbed him "the most gifted entertainer in the history of professional wrestling".
