Yesterday at WrestleMania Axxess, WWE unveiled a brand new Hall of Fame statue dedicated to the late Roddy Piper!
WWE Hall of Famers Sting, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Hart were joined by soon-to-be Hall of Famer Brutus Beefcake in the ring at Axxess for the big reveal. Members of Roddy’s family were also present.
WWE has previously made Hall of Fame statues for the likes of Andre The Giant, Ric Flair, Bruno Sammartino, Ultimate Warrior, and Dusty Rhodes.
Check out a video of the unveiling below.
Diamond Dallas Page‘s daughter says she and bunch of other famous famous female offspring are starting their own wrestling league … and they claim to be eyeing TNA as the competition.
Brittany Page explained the new venture to TMZ … saying, “Were basically starting a women’s league and it’s gonna kinda go against Impact Wrestling, TNA, and so we’re really excited about it.”
Partnering with Page are Brooke Hogan, Lacey Von Erich, Roddy Piper‘s daughter Ariel Toombs, and Jean-Claude Van Damme’s daughter Bianca Van Damme.
Former TNA creative team member Christy Hemme is apparently involved as well and Brittany sorta-kinda says her dad may also show up.
Check out the video of her full interview below:
Source: PWInsider
The new book “Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story”, which began as an autobiography the late WWE Hall of Famer began writing himself before he passed away, later being completed by his son Colt Toombs and daughter Ariel Toombs will be officially released tomorrow by Random House. Promotional material for the 400 page book notes:
The biggest pro wrestling bio since Bret Hart’s Hitman: legendary Rowdy Roddy Piper’s unfinished autobiography, re-conceived and completed by his children, actress/musician Ariel Teal Toombs and wrestler Colt Baird Toombs.
In early 2015, Roderick Toombs, aka Rowdy Roddy Piper, began researching his own autobiography with a trip through Western Canada. He was re-discovering his youth, a part of his life he never discussed during his 61 years, many spent as one of the greatest talents in the history of pro wrestling. Following his death due to a heart attack that July, two of his children took on the job of telling Roddy’s story, separating fact from fiction in the extraordinary life of their father.
Already an accomplished wrestler before Wrestlemania in 1985, Roddy Piper could infuriate a crowd like no “heel” before him. The principal antagonist to all-American champion Hulk Hogan, Piper used his quick wit, explosive ring style and fearless baiting of audiences to push pro wrestling to unprecedented success. Wrestling was suddenly pop culture’s main event. An actor with over 50 screen credits, including the lead in John Carpenter’s #1 cult classic, They Live, Piper knew how to keep fans hungry, just as he’d kept them wishing for a complete portrait of his most unusual life. He wanted to write this book for his family; now they have written it for him.
To pre-order the book, click here.
Global Force Wrestling issued the following today:
RIDGEROCK ENTERTAINMENT, GLOBAL FORCE WRESTLING TEAM UP TO PROMOTE THE MASKED SAINT THE MOVIE’S STAR BRETT GRANSTAFF AND JEFF JARRETT WILL LEAD A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE “ROWDY” RODDY PIPER
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 12, 2015) – Ridgerock Entertainment Group and Global Force Wrestling have teamed up for events to promote the Jan. 8, 2016, theatrical release of The Masked Saint (Freestyle Releasing). The joint agreement will showcase the film’s commitment to the integrity of professional wrestling and focus on family entertainment. This coincides with the mission of GFW, which has brought new excitement and true family entertainment to the world of professional wrestling. This exciting partnership will be kicked off during GFW’s second TV taping at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug.21.
“We are honored to be working with the filmmakers of The Masked Saint,” said Jeff Jarrett, GFW founder and CEO. “Wrestling fans around the nation will enjoy this movie not only for its action-packed content, but also for the ‘fighting for justice’ message it portrays. We can’t wait to introduce them to this great movie.
“Roddy was scheduled to join us for the August show at the Orleans. In fact, I had spoken with him the day before he passed. He was a great friend and a great entertainer, and I was deeply saddened by the shocking news.”
A family-oriented action biopic inspired by true event, The Masked Saint is written by Scott Crowell and Brett Granstaff, directed by Warren P. Sonoda, produced by Cliff McDowell, co-produced by David Anselmo and executive produced by Gary Granstaff and Joe Sisto. The movie stars Brett Granstaff (Vice) as Christopher ‘The Saint’ Samuels, Lara Jean Chorostecki (Hannibal) Oscar and Emmy nominee Diahann Carroll (“Grey’s Anatomy,” White Collar) who won a Golden Globe for her performance in “Julia,” Patrick McKenna (“The Red Green Show”), James Preston Rogers (Pixels) and features the late Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in his last confirmed theatrical release.
“We are thrilled to partner with the high-energy, fan-friendly brand of GFW,” says Gary Granstaff, vice president at Ridgerock Entertainment Group. “We couldn’t think of a better way to debut our movie to the millions of wrestling fans than with the help of Jeff Jarrett, a true wrestling legend and his organization.”
For ticket information to the Aug. 21 show, go to: http://www.orleansarena.com/event-calender/global-force-wrestling
Below is The Masked Saint trailer and a video of Roddy Piper on what he hopes people get from the film.
Last night’s RAW opened with Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H and the WWE roster (all wearing Roddy Piper “Hot Rod” T-shirts) out on the stage to pay tribute to the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. There was a 10-bell salute followed by a tribute video.
The Miz honored Roddy Piper during the opening of his Miz TV segment, saying there would be no Miz TV without Piper’s Pit.
The funeral for WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper will take place on Wednesday, August 12th in Portland, Oregon.
WWE will be in that area for SmackDown on August 11. Piper’s funeral was likely delayed until next week so that WWE employees can attend.
They say honestly is the best policy so I’m going to be honest with you guys. For the majority of the day yesterday I was free so I could’ve had this article up earlier but I just couldn’t bring myself to write it. I don’t like writing about things like this. If I could remember correctly the last time I wrote anything of this nature was when warrior died and that took a lot out of me.
I’ve experienced more death then a 23 year old should and with each one it never gets any easier. I said something along the lines yesterday that said “Everytime a wrestler dies so does a part of that wresting fan” The world of professional wrestling is very tight knit especially if you’ve spent your childhood watching these larger then life characters entertain you.
That’s exactly what Roddy Piper was a larger then life character, a man who wore a kilt and still looked like a total bad ass, a fearless man who smashed jimmy Superfly Snucka’s head in with a coconut and never looked back. He was a guy who made you smirk every time you ran out of bubblegum instead of being upset.
The Rowdy one was great at invoking any type of emotional out of the wrestling fan. He could make you mad, sad, and happy all in one promo. Now I may have not grown up watching Piper but I’ve had the luxury of growing up with two older brothers so I know how important Hot Rod was to the business
He will be modded without a doubt but his legacy will live on forever. The wrestling world is mourning together today so I would like to take the time to say lets just all embrace one another. For today lets not get wrapped up in storylines, or who the faces and heels are, let’s put it all aside and embrace each other in love because life is way to short
My Twitter time line has been nothing but kind words to Roddy but these are some of the tweets that jumped out at me when I was in my thoughts at 3am
As you can see Roddy was loved by many and rightfully so. Fly high Roddy and tonight know that Ronda Rousey will do the Rowdy name proud
-Vanessa (@GreatLove91
Here are some wrestling and MMA stars comments on the passing of WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper:
https://instagram.com/p/509qUZy1Gu
WWE Hall of Famer Roderick George Toombs, a.k.a “Rowdy” Roddy Piper passed away at his home in Hollywood, CA at the age of 61. TMZ reports that Piper passed away in his sleep from natural causes.
A family member told TMZ that Piper was cancer free at the time of his death. The family issued the following statement:
“Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper.”
WWE Hall of Famer noted on his latest “Woo Nation” podcast that WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper has been dropped from his WWE Legends contract.
Flair said Piper was dropped as a result of his recent issues with Steve Austin over Podcast One.
Wrestling News Blog 