My Photos From The Final Piper's Pit

[Flair Forever]

Well, being that I'm on vacation, my family & I spent Friday frolicking at a relative's beautiful farm, playing in their pool, hiking, eating fresh sweet corn, and slopping in their lake..... far removed from all technology, internet, and news. I didn't even carry my cell phone with me.

On the drive home, I checked my cell phone for any messages..... my brother texted "Pipper's dead."

Pipper? Who the heck is Pipper? I honestly had no idea who he was referring to.

I got another text, from one of my best friends - "Roddy Piper's dead."

Oh no. I feel like I've been kicked in the gut - this is impossible, we just met him two weeks ago! We saw him at Maryland Championship Wrestling's Shamrock Cup!

Guys, this one hits me real hard.... he was one of my all-time favorites, probably in my top 3..... I met him three times in the last year, and each time was special. I feel like I've lost a good friend.

I didn't post these pictures two weeks ago, I had just done a Roddy Piper post & it didn't get that many looks, so I figured I'd just sit on these for a while.... but today seems like a good day to put these up. I was privileged to be sitting at ringside for the final edition of Piper's Pit, in which Piper confronted former WWE writer Kevin Eck.

Before the show, we did attend one of Roddy Piper's final meet & greets.... he was very gracious, as usual - but I did mention to my wife that Piper seemed a little off? He seemed a bit short of breath, and a little red-faced..... it was hot, but it appeared to me like Piper was struggling just to "get through it"..... if that makes any sense? I wonder if he was feeling unwell at this point. Something (to me) did not seem right.

My wife & son went first, they had their photo from his Lancaster show in May autographed..... it'll be one of our most prized photos! Actually, it already was...

My son, who is 6 years old, was thrilled that he got to shake Piper's hand!







I had my photo from last year's Monster Con signed.....



As Piper addressed the crowd, he made a comment that I now find chilling - he said "I don't think I'll be doing too many more of these shows....." I wonder if he was just planning on leaving the indy circuit, or if he knew that his time was near?







Of course, it wouldn't be Piper's Pit if it didn't end with some fists flying..... Piper & Eck argued about an incident in WWE involving Dolph Ziggler on Piper's Pit..... Piper countered Eck that good wrestlers shouldn't need writers putting words in their mouth - good wrestlers speak from the heart.







My heart is sad this morning, I feel like I've lost another good friend. The wrestling world will not be the same without "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The fire & intensity he brought through his promos will burn for years to come, and I know he was a huge influence on many (most) wrestlers....

So glad I got to meet him three times in his last year with us - this is a photo I took this past May in Lancaster, it is one of my favorite pictures of a wrestler that I've ever taken! And it's even MORE special now.....



Rest easy, Hot Rod...... as I said to him the last time I met him - "thanks for all the memories." And we're all out of bubblegum.

[Grumpyoldman]

I absolutely love this picture. Looks like he's giving you a scolding for taking it.

Brilliant post. Thank you.

[cmiller79]

Sweet pics that's so awesome you got to meet him especially being so soon before he passed

[Kanenite]

I never ever met Piper before but it seems like he was a class act to all of his fans. I really love that picture that was reposted above where it looks like he's acknowledging you.

[Deleted]

I always enjoy your posts Flair Forever - you mention you didn't post one recently due to not much traffic for it...I'm sorry to hear that, but this one hits hard...unlike you, I've never met him, but I was always a huge fan of his wherever he went...thank you so much for sharing...

...and yes, wrestling fans everywhere are all out of bubblegum.

R.I.P

Roddy Piper.

[marino13]

Those are some amazing pics of one of the greatest of all time. Display those with pride.

I actually met him once and he was so friendly and kind. He pulled me in close for our photo and told me I looked good. I thanked him for everything and told him I was a life long fan. He gave me a nod and thanked me. I am so glad I spent the time and money to see him that day because I feared I'd never get another chance and I wouldn't of.

Though I only met him once for a few minutes, I too feel like I lost a close friend.

[robbutler01]

Great pics and a nice way way to remember him. He may have been struggling but seems to be having fun and enjoying himself.
I never met him but was there when him and flair lost the tag belts to Rated RKO in the uk - not the greatest moment for him but still a part of his legacy (his last title he held I think?)
RIP Roddy

[PJ]

I've never seen that TShirt he is wearing in the last pic with the WW(Piper pic)D. What was that from? Still can't believe he is gone.

[attitudesback]

Another great thread, it's just unfortunate it had to come because of something like this. It's such a shame he died, especially saying "I don't think I'll be doing many more of these". RIP Hot Rod!!

[The Yes Man]

Aug 1, 2015 12:49:21 GMT -5 PJ said:

I've never seen that TShirt he is wearing in the last pic with the WW(Piper pic)D. What was that from? Still can't believe he is gone.

I believe it's in his prowrestlingtees store.

[Generic Theme]

He will definitely be missed. I'm glad that you and your family had a chance to meet him. Thanks for sharing the great photos.

[Kyle]

Piper always came across as a genuinely good human being. All my heroes are dying... Growing up sucks.

[theMOESIAH]

I can't believe how bad he looked in most of those pics.

[Deleted]

Thanks for sharing dude, excellent post. Will be truly missed.

[drifter]

Every time you see a picture of him with any fans, you can see the genuine joy he has to be around them. It would always get on my skin, when you'd hear and see the stories of someone like Brodus Clay, who looked and acted like he was above having to interact with the people. But then you hear the stories of fans meeting with a guy like Piper, who had the joy of being around his fans, took the time with them, made each one feel important. He never pushed them along, never had a scowl on his face like they were wasting his time. The man was just has happy, or even happier, than his fans to see them. That's the kind of wrestler we need more of. And the fact that he's gone makes the wrestling world, and the world in general, a little emptier.
I've only gotten to meet a handful of wrestlers, and all were great, but unfortunately never got to meet the Hot Rod. Thanks for sharing your pics and experience with the man, just spreading the word of what kind of a great human we lost. And a lot like Dusty, I don't think we'll ever really know how many people Piper truly impacted in his life, there's just too many to count.

[Boy Wonder]

Awesome post, man.

He seems like he absolutely loved his fans.

[Joe/Smurf]

We had Piper at our show last summer -- I say "we" but I'm hardly involved with the company anymore. He did a Piper's Pit with Jake the Snake, and they ended up double teaming a local guy. It was a hell of a moment to be there for that live. Piper's peak was before my time, but his return to Wrestlemania helping Vince was one of my most memorable "mark out" moments, and I did get to appreciate him in that run. I wouldn't try to say I'm as hurt by this one as others are, but it still sucks. Thanks for sharing your post FF. Great pics, especially the one where he's pointing to you. And rest in peace to a legend.

[Bandit]

Maryland Championship Wrestling is going to release that final Pipers Pit on their Youtube channel during RAW on Monday.

[Deleted]

He looks so happy to see his fans. I really like that.

[Deleted]

The first time I saw Roddy was back in 2003 when he returned to WWE. Man, I hated him! I became a fan three years later in 2006, when he returned to team up with Flair, and then I began scouring the internet to catch up on his career. And what a career he had! R.I.P. Roddy, you will be missed!

Great thread as always, Flair Forever!