Triple Threat Theatre - Roddy Piper
Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat Theatre where we highlight the three best matches from a specific wrestler’s career.
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Just the name will evoke a certain feeling in wrestling fans of a certain age. Whether it be his run in the 1980s and pivotal role in the creation of WrestleMania, his movie career including his iconic performance in John Carpenter’s They Live or his 90s runs in both the WWF and WCW, the man was a legend in every sense of the word. But allow us to be honest for one moment, the man was not the finest wrestler in the world. But he more than made up for it with his stunning charisma, and alternately both his likeability and his innate ability to make people absolutely loathe his damn guts. Today on Triple Threat Theatre we look at three of the finest matches the Hot Rod put together over his long and illustrious career.
3) WWE at Madison Square Garden – December 2nd, 1991 – Randy Savage, Jim Duggan & Roddy Piper Vs. Ric Flair, Jake Roberts & The Undertaker
A dark horse contender. This one could easily have gone to some of the battles between Piper and Flair during their Mid-Atlantic days, or his hair match with Chavo Guerrero Sr. but there is something about this match that just clicks. First of all, the star power on hand is astounding. The match also lays much of the groundwork for the forthcoming WrestleMania VIII a few months away. Duggan is clearly the odd man out, but we get set up for Flair and Savage as well as Roberts and Undertaker. Most of the match is contended between Piper and Flair, and the two of them have such great chemistry it’s undeniable. Check this one out if you’ve never seen it.
2) NWA Starrcade – November 24, 1983 – Dog Collar Match – Roddy Piper Vs. Greg Valentine
An obvious choice for this list. Not only was Piper instrumental in the genesis of the first WrestleMania, but he also played a huge part in the first Starrcade, which a lot of people seem to have forgotten predated WrestleMania by nearly a year and a half. Piper and Valentine absolutely tear each other apart in this vicious, bloody affair that is really hard to describe. One of Piper’s finest moments, and also a likely contender for the most memorable match of Valentine’s long career as well. Not for the faint of heart by any means.
1) WWF WrestleMania VIII – April 5, 1992 – WWF Intercontinental Championship Match – Rowdy Roddy Piper Vs. Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart
As if there was any other choice. Easily the best match of Piper’s career, something the man himself has acknowledged, as well as one of Bret’s favourite matches of his career. Piper had won the Intercontinental Championship a few months prior at the Royal Rumble from The Mountie, his first taste of gold in the company. The psychology of the match was impeccable, with two babyfaces going at it for the gold and respect, including a subtle bladejob by Hart that he managed to get away with despite blood being banned at the time. (Fun Fact: Flair would blade later in the night and would be heavily fined for it). The ending came with Piper debating to use the ring bell and fighting his inner villain, locking in the sleeper hold on Hart. Bret would kick off the top rope and flip over Piper locking his shoulders to the mat for the win. Hart would use this same finish years later with Stone Cold Steve Austin as well. One of Bret’s best and most memorable matches, and Piper’s finest hours in the ring.
