Roddy Piper’s Greatest Career Highlights

Face Turn in Georgia Championship Wrestling

For the vast majority of his early career, Roddy Piper was considered one of the most despicable heels in wrestling. As he moved around the territories making a name for himself, his wit and creativity resulted in him riling the fans in a way few had ever achieved before. His work in particular in Los Angeles pushed his “Rowdy” character to its limits, as he engaged in feuds with the Guerrero family that infuriated the largely Mexican fan base in the LA territory.

So, it was a stunning moment in Georgia Championship Wrestling, which would later become WCW, when Piper finally embraced the fans. Hot Rod was part of the commentary team alongside legendary announcer Gordon Solie, when his broadcast partner was assaulted by Don Muraco and Ole Anderson. This brought the crowd to their feet, as Piper defended his helpless friend against the bullies, and rode that wave of momentum into a number of heroic contests against the heels of the territory.

As Gerald Morton and George M. O’Brien so eloquently described this moment:  “the drama finally played itself out on television when one of [Piper’s] hired assassins, Don Muraco, suddenly attacked the commentator Gordon Solie. Seeing Solie hurt, Piper unleashed his Scottish fury on Muraco. In the week that followed, like Achilles avenging Patroklas, he slaughtered villain after villain…. In the arenas fans chanted his name throughout his matches.”