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Pro Wrestling Stories
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Roddy Piper

From attending The Undertaker’s first wedding to heartfelt moments with legends like Yokozuna, here are 50 unforgettable fan encounters with wrestlers.

50+ Unforgettable Fan Encounters with Wrestling Legends

by Javier Ojst  Jun 20, 2025

50+ unforgettable fan encounters with wrestling legends. Heartwarming, hilarious, and wild tales revealing a rare glimpse behind the curtain!

Kerry Von Erich laying it in on Terry Taylor at a May 21st, 1988 WCCW taping. Moments like this in the ring with the Von Erich brothers would lead to Taylor waiting backstage, battered, furious, and gripping a broomstick, ready to confront Kevin Von Erich.

Terry Taylor vs. The Von Erichs: When It Turned Ugly

by JP Zarka  May 25, 2025

Terry Taylor recalls the stiff beatings he took from the Von Erichs in WCCW and the moment he nearly fought back backstage.

OJ Simpson and Roddy Piper was a match that almost occurred. We explain how it all came close to going down.

OJ Simpson and Roddy Piper Match That Almost Was

by Rob Ireland  Jan 15, 2025

In 1996, WWE nearly staged a Roddy Piper vs. OJ match Simpson at WrestleMania XII. Here’s the untold tale of how it almost went down!

Left: Shaquille O’Neal makes his AEW debut at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville in 2021. Center: Elvis Presley performs at Crisler Arena just months before his planned match with Jerry Lawler in 1977. Right: David Arquette celebrates his controversial WCW World Championship victory at Thunder in 2000. Three moments that showcase wrestling’s evolving relationship with celebrity involvement across five decades.

10 Best Celebrity Matches (Plus 6 We’d Rather Forget!)

by John Harris  Jan 15, 2025

From Elvis nearly facing Jerry Lawler to 10 of the best and 6 we’d rather forget, discover wrestling’s most unforgettable celebrity matches!

Sean O’Haire captivated audiences in WCW and WWE as the Devil’s Advocate, but behind the spotlight, his story took a darker turn, leaving a haunting legacy.

Sean O’Haire: Wrestling’s Tragic Cautionary Tale

by Matt Roberts  Nov 21, 2024

Sean O’Haire captivated audiences in WCW and WWE, but behind the spotlight, his story took a darker turn, leaving a haunting legacy.

Zombies in wrestling—an unforgettable spectacle that blurs the lines between horror and sport, but is it a gimmick best left in the grave?

5 Zombie Moments in Wrestling You Can’t Miss!

by Tim Buckler  Oct 29, 2024

When wrestling met the undead, the results were as bizarre as they were chaotic! Dive into 5 iconic showdowns where zombies took center ring!

From cult classics to campy thrills, discover 10 scary movies where wrestlers take the spotlight—one even called “the worst film ever made!”

10 Scary Movies Where Wrestlers Took the Spotlight

by Tim Buckler  Oct 29, 2024

From cult classics to campy thrills, discover 10 scary movies where wrestlers take the spotlight—one even called “the worst film ever made!”

Sam Fatu—The Tonga Kid—reflects on his journey, from debuting in WWF at 17 to eating Matilda on live TV and tragically witnessing Bruiser Brody’s murder. As part of the Anoa’i dynasty, his legacy continues through his son in WWE.

Wrestling’s Bloodline: Sam Fatu on Family, Tragedy, and Legacy

by Jim Phillips  Oct 18, 2024

Sam Fatu—The Tonga Kid—opens up about his WWE debut at 17, witnessing Bruiser Brody’s murder, and helping cement the Anoa’i bloodline legacy.

Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon on the set of Tuesday Night Titans (TNT). The 1980s marked a pivotal era in professional wrestling—or “sports entertainment,” as Vince McMahon coined it—with Mr. McMahon and Hulk Hogan leading a revolution that transformed the WWF into a global pop culture phenomenon.

Mr. McMahon’s Masterplan: Hogan, MTV & WWE’s Rise in the ’80s

by Javier Ojst  Sep 26, 2024

Uncover Vince McMahon’s game-changing 1980s masterplan: Hulk Hogan, Cyndi Lauper, MTV, and how it ignited WWE’s (then WWF) meteoric rise.

Professional wrestler Sting has inspired countless tributes and impersonations throughout wrestling history. Here’s a look at fifteen of the most memorable performers who have donned the face paint and gear of The Icon.

15 Wrestlers Who Dressed as Sting: Who Nailed It, Who Failed?

by Tim Buckler  Sep 18, 2024

Discover the 15 wrestlers who donned the face paint and gear of Sting, from tributes to storylines, celebrating the legacy of The Icon.

Kevin Sullivan: Wrestling's 'Taskmaster' and 'Prince of Darkness,' defined the dark side of the sport.

Kevin Sullivan: Dark Secrets and Legacy of Wrestling’s Devil

by Jim Phillips  Aug 12, 2024

Explore the dark, secret legacy of Kevin Sullivan, wrestling’s “Taskmaster” and “Prince of Darkness,” as we uncover his rise and tragic end.

The Portland Northwest (PNW) Wrestling territory, initially under the tutelage of Ted Thye (top left) and later Don Owen (bottom left), thrived with stars such as (from left to right) Beauregarde, the Von Steigers (Kurt and Karl), Elton Owen, Sandy Barr, Billy Jack (later Haynes), Jimmy Snuka, Stan Stasiak, Moondog Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, Terrible Tony Borne, The Royal Kangaroos ("Lord" Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles III), Ed Wiskoski (later Colonel DeBeers), The Grappler (Len Denton), Shag Thomas, Rip Oliver, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, and a host of others.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (Portland) | The Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips  Jul 26, 2024

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) was an NWA wrestling territory based in Portland, Oregon that produced iconic names until its sad demise.

Today In Pro Wrestling History May 30

Today in Pro Wrestling History: (May 29): A Pop Star Comes To Piper’s Pit

by Pro Wrestling Stories  May 29, 2024

Cyndi Lauper unleashed on Captain Lou & Roddy Piper in an unforgettable WWF brawl that paved the way for WrestleMania.

Art Barr was destined to follow in the wrestling footsteps laid down by his father, Sandy, an accomplished wrestler, and his older brother, Jesse. However, the wrestling world would be shaken by his sudden death in his home in Springfield, Oregon, at the young age of 28. Remarkable achievements and controversial moments marked Barr's wrestling journey. Learn the secret tale of this complex wrestling legend.

Art Barr: Secret Tale of a Complex Wrestling Legend

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Feb 20, 2024

Exploring the complex legacy of wrestler Art Barr: from early promise, through controversy, to a transformative impact on Lucha Libre.

Today In Pro Wrestling History February 18

Today In Pro Wrestling History (Feb 18): The WWF and MTV Present “The War to Settle the Score”

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Feb 18, 2024

Explore the iconic WWF-MTV “War to Settle the Score” event, a key moment in wrestling’s mainstream appeal and Hogan vs. Piper showdown.

21 Best Old-School WWE Wrestlers of All Time, Ranked

by Evan Ginzburg  Feb 1, 2024

The ultimate pre-1990 WWE wrestling legends list! See if your favorite old-school wrestlers from Capitol Sports, WWWF, and WWF made the cut!

Today In Pro Wrestling History January 27

Today In Pro Wrestling History (Jan 27): Roddy Piper defeats Ric Flair for the US Title

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Feb 7, 2024

Today In Pro Wrestling History: On January 27, 1981, Roddy Piper achieved a significant milestone by defeating Ric Flair to win the NWA United States…

From Hulk Hogan to a particular tag team from Scotland, learn about the unexpected tie that binds Highlander with professional wrestling!

Immortals and Suplexes: 5 Hidden Highlander and Wrestling Connections

by Tim Buckler  Oct 6, 2023

From Hulk Hogan to a particular tag team from Scotland, learn about five unexpected ties that bind Highlander with professional wrestling!

Jake "The Snake" Roberts with his reptilian counterpart Damian, The British Bulldogs' Matilda, and Koko B Ware with his beloved bird, Frankie.

Chilling Stories on the Animals in Professional Wrestling

by Matt Pender  Jan 12, 2023

Here is a shocking look into the real-life, tragic stories of many of our favorite animals in professional wrestling.

From the 1980s to 1992, professional wrestling enjoyed a boom because of the kids-friendly product and larger-than-life characters of WWF's Golden Era. However, by the Ruthless Aggression Era (2002-2008), there was a significant shift in the product. And often, returning legends from the golden past didn't always fare well!

10 Golden Era Wrestlers in WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era

by Griffin Kaye  Nov 23, 2023

Returning legends from the Golden Era didn’t always fare well! Here are ten wrestlers who returned to WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era!

At Madison Square Garden on January 23rd, 1984, Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship for the first time, thus igniting the craze soon known as Hulkamania!

The Iron Sheik-Hulk Hogan Match That Changed Wrestling Forever

by Chris Dreibelbis  Jun 7, 2023

In 1984, a hero defeated a foreign foe to create Hulkamania in the WWE. Hulk Hogan and Iron Sheik had it set. But it almost…

The man, the myth, the legend: Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Rowdy Roddy Piper: A Wild Maverick Who Died Too Soon

by Geries Tadros  Jan 10, 2023

Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper—a maverick known for his outrageous behavior—died too soon. We take a look back at Piper’s life and career.

Although Roddy Piper rightly gets credit for propelling Hulk Hogan into sports-entertainment supremacy and pop culture prominence (though arguably not enough), the story of how he helped lay the foundation for the rise of Ric Flair is far less familiar.

Roddy Piper and Ric Flair – A Less Familiar Story

by Chris Dreibelbis  Feb 6, 2023

The less familiar story of how Roddy Piper helped lay the foundation for the rise of another wrestling icon of the Golden Era: Ric Flair.

"So, you want to be a wrestler?" Left: Stu Hart stretches a new wrestling recruit in the infamous Hart Dungeon. Right: A new batch of pro wrestling students absorb life lessons and fundamentals during training.

Want To Be a Wrestler? – Lessons in Wrestling and Life

by Jim Phillips  Mar 10, 2023

Want to be a wrestler? Sit under the learning tree as we discover that wrestling is much more than just a vehicle to fame and…

The Big Time Wrestling in San Fransisco wrestling territory thrived initially under the tutelage of Joe Malcewicz (top left) and later Roy Shire (top right) and stars such as Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Roddy Piper, Pepper Gomez, booker Red Bastien, Chavo (Sr.) and Mando Guerrero, "Moondog" Lonnie Mayne, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, and a host of others.

Big Time Wrestling in San Francisco | Wrestling Territories

by Jim Phillips  Apr 22, 2023

Big Time Wrestling in San Francisco was one of the most profitable NWA territories. However, unfortunate factors would lead to its demise.

Roddy Piper (Nada) and Keith David (Frank) in They Live.

They Live Fight Scene: Secret Behind Cinema’s Greatest Brawl

by Tim Buckler  Feb 16, 2023

Roddy Piper and Keith David created magic in just six minutes during their They Live fight scene, and it was all thanks to pro wrestling.

Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story | Book Review

by Evan Ginzburg  Jun 3, 2023

We share our honest thoughts on Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story, the unfinished autobiography Roddy started the very year that he passed away.

5 Wrestlers Besides The Rock Who Starred In Movies

5 Wrestlers Besides The Rock Who Starred In Movies

by Joseph Finnegan  Oct 17, 2024

Many wrestlers have been able to make a jump into acting. We look at 5 wrestlers not named Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who starred in…

Finn Bálor, Andre the Giant, and Nikolai Volkoff are amongst the many professional wrestlers who have stepped out of the ring and into the world of music videos.

8 Wrestler Music Video Cameos You May Have Missed

by Tim Buckler  May 21, 2025

Music videos brought wrestling into the limelight in the ’80s. Wrestlers have been making unexpected cameos in them ever since!

The Great Muta saves the day with his green mist at the inaugural Halloween Havoc in 1989. [photo courtesy of the WWE Network]

Halloween Havoc – The Very Best (and Worst!) Moments

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Jul 7, 2022

Had it not been for the quick thinking of The Great Muta, Halloween Havoc likely never would have made it beyond its first year!

Roddy Piper - From The Streets to the Big Time

Roddy Piper – From The Streets to the Big Time

by Rob Ireland  Jan 10, 2023

Roddy Piper found wrestling as a means to get off the streets. He would soon make a name himself in wrestling, Hollywood, and beyond.

Captain Lou Albano wore many hats over the years! Here, he discusses his role as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!

Lou Albano – “My Time on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!”

by Tim Buckler  Apr 22, 2023

Captain Lou Albano opens up about his time on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show and he almost lost this role due to his facial…

Bullet Bob Armstrong, Southeastern Championship Wrestling.

Bob Armstrong | Stronger Than A Bullet

by Bobby Mathews  Jul 11, 2022

There are legends in professional wrestling. And then there’s Bullet Bob Armstrong. This is the story of the true man behind the curtain.

From being homeless and sleeping in his car, eating tuna from a can, and having to defeat up to nine fans from the crowd before the matches each night to keep his spot on the card, Bob Backlund faced harsh challenges at the start of his career. However, with a positive mental attitude, grit, and unbridled determination, he grew to become a true gentleman and a champion in every sense of the word.

Bob Backlund – Humble Beginnings to Championship Gold

by Javier Ojst  Mar 27, 2023

Bob Backlund paid his dues by sleeping in his car, eating tuna from a can, and defeating up to 9 fans from the crowd a…

Legendary Piper’s Pit segment in 1984, just before Roddy Piper hit Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka with a coconut!

Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka Piper’s Pit Coconut Incident

by JP Zarka  Feb 5, 2023

Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka open up about their classic coconut segment on Piper’s Pit and the alleged damage Snuka suffered from it.

Why I Became a Wrestler: Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts, and More

Why I Became a Wrestler: Roddy Piper, Jake Roberts, and More

by Matt Pender  Feb 8, 2023

Roddy Piper, Blackjack Mulligan, and Jake Roberts share what inspired them to become professional wrestlers.

Lonnie Mayne – The Glass Eating, Raw Meat Chewing Original Moondog!

by Javier Ojst  Sep 22, 2023

“Moondog” Lonnie Mayne proved crazy doesn’t mean crazy if there’s a method behind the madness. This is his memorable story.

A fight between Kevin Nash and Roddy Piper took place backstage at WCW’s Slamboree ’97 pay-per-view. Here, both men give their differing takes on what happened.

Kevin Nash and Roddy Piper: Their Heated Backstage Fight!

by Geries Tadros  Mar 3, 2023

A heated fight between Kevin Nash and Roddy Piper took place in 1997. Here, both men give their differing takes on what happened!

The tough team of Ron Dupree and Chris Colt - a tag team in the ring, and real-life partners outside of it.

Wrestling’s Gay History and Optimistic Future

by Christa Pagliei  May 7, 2025

Explore how gay culture helped shape the world of professional wrestling — and how different the industry would be without its influence.

Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine - Their Lauded Feud & Dog Collar Match

Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine – Their Lauded Feud & Dog Collar Match

by Matt Pender  Feb 7, 2022

Permanent damage was inflicted and they beat the hell out of each other. Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine discuss their memorable feud.

Greg Valentine on His Career and the Tragic Fate of His Destroyed IC Title

Greg Valentine on His Career and the Tragic Fate of His Destroyed IC Title

by Bobby Mathews  Jan 14, 2022

Greg Valentine opens up about his favorite feuds in wrestling, and the tragic fate of his destroyed Intercontinental title!

Discover some of the most extraordinary matches and magical moments that have graced MSG, illustrating just what it felt like to bear witness to these events!

Unforgettable Wrestling Moments at Madison Square Garden

by Evan Ginzburg  Jan 23, 2023

Relive some of the most magnificent matches and magical wrestling moments in New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG)!

Roddy Piper on the Very Beginnings of Professional Wrestling

Roddy Piper on the Very Beginnings of Professional Wrestling

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Dec 3, 2020

Roddy Piper painted a beautiful picture in response to the question: When did wrestling begin? His quote was just too good not to share!

The British Bulldogs - Wrestling's Cruelest Locker Room 'Bullies'

The British Bulldogs: Their Notorious Behavior Behind-the-Scenes

by Pro Wrestling Stories  Jan 10, 2023

The British Bulldogs were known for their hijinks in and out of the ring, but some of these stories are just plain cruel.

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    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
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