I grew up watching professional wrestling. Watching professional wrestling was a family event. For the first 15 or 16 years of my life, my family watched professional wrestling religiously. We weren’t stupid. You didn’t have to explain to any of us that it was staged. We got it and we all enjoyed the absurdity. There’s something special about the generation of wrestling that brought about some of the most colorful characters, not only in professional wrestling, but in all of television. One of the best characters of this generation was Rowdy Roddy Piper. Rowdy Roddy Piper was from Canada, but when he put on a kilt and marched to the ring with his bagpipe music and signature swagger, we all believed that Canadian accent was really Scottish. It was all part of the fun of professional wrestling. Rowdy Roddy Piper passed away today at the age of 61. I’d like to take a minute to pay tribute to Mr. Piper’s career and share some random Rowdy Roddy Piper matches I found on YouTube. The Bushwackers & Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. The Mountie & The Nasty Boys. This. Is. Beautiful. I don’t know what else to say about this. This is a perfect example of the wonderful characters that came through professional wrestling. If you can watch this and not be entertained, you have problems. Serious problems. Seek help. Seriously. Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Mr. Perfect – 1991. You have to love Mr. Perfect. One of the most underrated wrestlers of all time. There has to be a considerable amount of pressure on a person that claims the title of Mr. Perfect; Curt Hennig delivered every time. Roddy Piper vs Paul Orndorff 1985. I’ve never been much of a fan of Mr. Wonderful, but you have to respect that physique and intensity. Ric Flair Vs Roddy Piper Part 1. The Nature Boy Ric Flair: the dirtiest player in the game and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Ric Flair Vs Roddy Piper Part 2 Roddy Piper Promo on Andre the Giant (09-30-1984). Always intense. You have to love that Scottish accent. And the always professional Mean Gene Okerlund. I still like to watch professional wrestling from time to time, but it’s a different sport today. I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon and tell you wrestling was better in my day, but wrestling was better in my day. There were outstanding and outlandish characters. There were rules (sort of). There was respect for kayfabe. But the past is the past. Make sure you take time to enjoy your life and the ones you love. You never know when you’ll meet your final three count. Requiescat in pace, Mr. Piper. “I came here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubble gum” – Rowdy Roddy Piper