Raising Hell & Breaking Chairs With Rowdy Roddy Piper Written by: Brooke Herron and Nate Steere
WWE, previously
known as World Wrestling
Entertainment Inc, is aired in more than 145 countries and one of the most widely watched shows in the world! For a generation of kids growing up in the 80s, WWE star Rowdy Roddy Piper was the man we loved to hate. Every Saturday morning we booed him, but were secretly charmed by his antics.
Piper hasn’t lost that charm over the years, and
that’s exactly what he offered the crowd at Captain Brien’s Off The Hook Comedy Club on Marco Island from April 28 - May 1, 2011. Those
who came expecting a comedy
show probably left disappointed, as the pro wrestler didn’t take the stage to “do” comedy. Piper’s a really funny guy, but a comedian he is not. Piper’s a wrestler, and one who has lived enough of his life in that world to have some truly crazy stories. “It’s a brand new style of show because no one’s really lived what I’ve lived,” he explains. He’s survived things that most people wouldn’t, including being stabbed three times and going down in an airplane. Piper has always given the
impression of being someone you’d like to have a beer with, and his live show gives fans that opportunity. His show is very informal, with audience members encouraged to shout out questions or commentary for him to talk about. As PowerPoint slides of the names and faces from his past play behind him, Piper glances up to ind inspiration for his next yarn. Although he doesn’t have a beer in hand, everything else about the performance is like swapping stories with old friends. As friendly and unpretentious as they come, Piper’s “well, here I am” attitude permeates the show. Traveling with an entourage that consists of a friend who
doubles as the opening act, and son, Colt Toombs, Piper might be the least intimidating man to have ever broken a chair over somebody else’s head.
was 15 years old,” recounts Piper.
“I started wrestling in 1969 and turned pro when I “I was raised by gypsy type
carnival people – I was a kid who needed a place to go.” When he started his career, Piper was the youngest wrestler in the history of professional wrestling. He now holds more than 38 professional wrestling titles, and he has won more than 7,000 professional matches. Piper doesn’t participate in as many WWE shows as he did in his prime. “I can’t really get in there and ight like I used to,” he says. But when he does, the fans rally - his recent WrestleMania show in Atlanta was attended by more than 70,000 fans.
While there,
he collaborated with Rob Dyrdek of MTV’s Fantasy Factory and his appearance on the popular show is set to air this May. When asked about advice for
aspiring WWE wrestlers, Piper says he would recommend it as a hobby, but not as a career path. “It’s a tough way to make a living,” he explains. “If you really look at it, there are only like 20 guys making the type of money you
need to make. As glamorous as it looks, it’s a really tough gig.” Regarding comedy, Piper thinks it’s brutal. “It’s such a
ine art, and I don’t really know the art that well,” he admits. For those who missed his shows at Capt. Brien’s and want to see the man in action, he’ll be at NWA Legends Fanfest in Atlanta, GA, from on August 4-7, 2011. To learn more about the man behind the kilt, visit
www.rowdyroddypiper.com.
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