Top 25 WrestleMania stars: No. 9
RODDY PIPER
WrestleMania history
1 (1985): Along with Paul Orndorff, lost to Hulk Hogan and Mr. T
2 (1986): Lost to Mr. T by disqualification in a boxing match
3 (1987): Defeated Adrian Adonis in a hair vs. hair match. It was billed as Piper’s retirement match.
6 (1990): Wrestled Bad News Brown to a double countout
8 (1992): Lost the Intercontinental title to Bret Hart
12 (1996): Defeated Goldust in a Hollywood Back Lot Brawl
Non-wrestling appearances
5 (1989): Hosted Piper's Pit with Morton Downey Jr. and Brother Love
7 (1991): Was in Virgil's corner for his match against Ted DiBiase
10 (1994): Was guest referee in WWF title match between Hart and Yokozuna
11 (1995): Was guest referee in I Quit match between Hart and Bob Backlund
19 (2003): Did a run-in during Hogan vs. Vince McMahon match
21 (2005): Hosted Piper’s Pit with Steve Austin
Comments: Every great babyface needs a great heel to go against, and Piper was that guy for Hogan. ... Tag-team match at the inaugural WrestleMania is perhaps the most hyped match ever, and it laid a strong foundation for what WrestleMania would become. ... Boxing match against Mr. T headlined the New York portion of WM 2, which took place in three cities. ... Retirement match against Adonis was promoted as the top match on the undercard at WM 3, ahead of the famous Randy Savage-Ricky Steamboat match. ... He and fellow babyface Hart perhaps stole the show at WM 8. ... Final wrestling appearance (until this coming WrestleMania) was the memorable Back Lot Brawl against Goldust at WM 12 that began in a Hollywood lot, included an O.J. Simpson-inspired car chase and ended in the ring. ... Continued to be a presence at WrestleMania over the years in various capacities.
I will count down the top 25 stars in WrestleMania history every day through April 5.
To view the list through today, click here.
Photo courtesy of WWE
Comments
This is a great pick here for hot rod I had him at #10 considering he was the anchor to me atleast for the first 2 WMs being the Top heel for both of them and whatever his apearences were full of fun an contraversy anyway i recommend to anyone go see the new cena movie i took my 2 sons it ran about 2 hours but it was really good I was greatly surprised one more thing I know you think no females desrve to be in your top 25 I would disagree i think what trish did for a period of time somewhat legitimzed the divsion and her spots with Jericho Christian match was great not saying that everyone you pick doesn't deserve it but I just feel she did a lot at WM that she be recognized I had her at 22
Posted by: frank | March 28, 2009 7:32 PM
Piper - my first favorite wrestler while growing up. While he wasn't the best technical wrestler and his matches usually ended up inconclusive, he sure brought energy and intensity to the ring, knew how to stir the pot like no other and made you want to plunk down your cash for tickets every time he came into town.
His run-in during the Hogan/McMahon match has to be one of the most surprising and memorable WrestleMania moments to date.
Posted by: Bradley | March 28, 2009 7:56 PM
"Was guest referee in I Quit match between Hart and Bob Backlund"
Thanks for bringing this memory to the surface:
Hart had grapevined Backlund's leg. Piper asked Backlund if he wanted to quit, then he asked Hart, who still had Backlund in the hold, the same question, to which Jerry Lawler exclaimed "he's an idiot!," causing Vince McMahon to ask "who? Bob Backlund?"
Those were the days.
Posted by: Christopher | March 28, 2009 9:52 PM
Can't express my disappointment enough in your #9. He's top 5.
My #9 is Andre. Andre being on the card during the 1st 2 WM's helped make what WM has become. The main event at WM 3 could be the most anticipated match in WM history.
Posted by: Matt | March 28, 2009 10:22 PM
Kevin , man ! , where are you digging up these hideous photos for all of these picks ????? Your personal WWE library ? Can't wait to see photo of HBK. The picture will probably be right out of the infamous magazine photo shoot Scott Steiner has referred to . (LOL)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 28, 2009 10:49 PM
I was watching an espn thing on Joe Namath's super bowl guarantee, and if you listen to him in the interviews he had over those couple of weeks and compare them with Piper's early-ish promo work, it's absolutely uncanny. They had such the same style. Namath was pretty much cutting Piper-esque heel promos.
And if anything I'd have put Piper higher on this list. Hogan was the draw for WM 1, clearly, but would he have drawn without the unbelievable foil he had in Piper? No chance. Piper should get just as much credit for making wrestlemania the big deal it was from day one.
Posted by: David | March 29, 2009 2:47 AM
Wasnt there his run in ,in the Dibiase/Virgil match from 1991 Wrestlemania 7, i think he was in Virgil's corner.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Good call. Completely forget about that. I have updated the post. Thanks.
Posted by: Henry | March 29, 2009 10:48 AM
Thank goodness for the Hot Rod. I had 9 out of the top 10 figured out but could not for the life of me get the missing link. I'm glad it was Piper because I almost had a feeling that this list was gonna end with a Wrestlemania sized swerve and No. 1 would be Howard Finkel.
Posted by: Ceasar | March 29, 2009 11:28 AM
Piper also holds the dubious distinction of being one of probably three wrestlers on this list to ever have a negative five-star match (as scored by Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer). The others? Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior.
Posted by: Joe Mathieson | March 29, 2009 1:44 PM
Any thoughts Eck on the SunTimes blog this morning predicting Stephanie being in cahoots with Orton? Tell me we're not going to have to suffer thru a McMahon/Orton era!
RESPONSE FROM KE: I suppose anything is possible, but I don't think so.
Posted by: eric | March 29, 2009 5:01 PM
I enjoy how Piper has a radically different haircut every time he makes a WWE appearance.
Posted by: Elevation | March 29, 2009 5:42 PM