I want to take a moment to talk about a man I grew up admiring very much, Rowdy Roddy Piper. It was only just last month that I was writing one of these about another man I admired very much, Dusty Rhodes. My heart hadn't quite healed yet, and then here we are once again.
Piper was close to me. Literally. At one time, he lived just down the road from where I type this now. I had seen him many times, most recently at a Portland Wrestling event last year. While he usually played a villain, he is a Portland hero, most notably for the insane things he would do and say at Portland Wrestling events in the late 70s (Check the links, they are awesome). He grew more into our hero as we watched him go into Vince McMahon's WWF and headline WrestleMania. You will not find any Portland natives that do not know the name Roddy Piper.
Born in 1985, it wasn't too soon after that I was quickly brought up to speed of this magic man. And I attached myself. I admired the way he talked. This man could talk all the shit in the world. See, Roddy played an asshole, but he was really a nice guy. I play a nice guy, but I'm really an asshole. I can probably put a little blame on the Hot Rod for my mouth, but I can also say the same with The Rock, Steve Austin, and all the others. These aren't just wrestlers, putting their bodies on the line each and every night to "Sports Entertain" us.
NO WAY.
These guys teach us life lessons. Sometimes it's a promo, often times an angle, sometimes it's a career, or even outside of the ring letting us glimpse into their personal lives and how they deal with certain life events. Us fans want more. That is why we buy the DVDs, tune in each week, subscribe to the Network, watch shoot videos, interviews, podcasts, etc. My favorite? The Hot Rod himself.
Not very many people can be as iconic and mysterious as Roddy Piper. I was always intrigued and wanted to learn more about my hometown hero. I was shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. It's hard to remember that these guys are just people like you and me. As we usually tend to crack jokes about aged wrestlers getting back into the ring, it's just as easy to forget that these guys are not immortal.
Rest in Peace, Hot Rod, and my deepest condolences to your family.
CAGESIDE PODCASTS
Cageside Live Special Edition: Hulk Hogan
After a few days to process it, Geno Mrosko and Sean Rueter talk through the news that Hulk Hogan is gone from WWE after a tape surfaces of him using racial slurs and identifying as a racist.
Cageside Live! Court Bauer on TripleMania XXIII
Geno Mrosko and Sean Rueter chat with former WWE writer, MLW founder and AAA producer about the English language PPV of TripleMania...and whatever else comes up!
BEYOND CAGESIDE
Here my Monday slot would usually consist of Roddy Piper's "Piper's Pit" podcast. Sadly, it will be no more. In place of it, I will share a link to a great podcast from MLW on "The life and times of Rowdy Roddy Piper" with Matt Farmer and Court Bauer
August 1, 2015 - MLW Radio - The Life and Times of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
- Tuesday July 28, 2015
The Steve Austin Show (Clean) - Ep. 241 - Steve Austin says... RELAX!
Steve Austin learned a great life lesson the last two weeks, and is sharing the detailed story with you! You're gonna wanna listen to every word so that you can hear how to make it work for you! Plus, the latest from the set of the BSC, and an update on Steve's WWE live podcast! Hmmmm.....
- Wednesday July 29th 2015
Sam Robert's Wrestling Podcast - Ep. 040 - Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan talks about his career and injury with Sam, and Sam talks Hulk Hogan in the State of Wrestling.
The Ross Report - Ep. 76 - Patrick Clark
After Patrick Clark's surprising elimination from "Tough Enough" last week, he took some time to talk to JR. Hear what Patrick thinks about his TV experience, his elimination, his future plans, and his personal interaction with Hulk Hogan. Is Patrick headed for NXT? And will he work heel or babyface? Plus, JR shares some of his own thoughts on the Hogan controversy.
Talk Is Jericho - Ep. 164 - "Mr. Belding" Dennis Haskins
Everybody's favorite principal, "Mr. Belding" aka Dennis Haskins of "Saved By The Bell" fame shares his infinite wisdom, love of music, "Dancing With The Stars" aspirations, and LOTS of stories about the cult 90's sitcom! He's even got details about how the big reunion happened on Jimmy Fallon earlier this year, what it was like working with Seth McFarlane, and how & when Dennis became such a huge wrestling fan!
- Thursday July 30, 2015
The Steve Austin Show (Unleashed) - Ep. 242 - Ted Fowler
Oh lord! Look who made it to LA! @TedFowler361 hauled ass from Rockport, TX to hang out at 316 Gimmick Street in-person! Get ready for truck talk, beer talk, BSC set talk, some handyman work, and a little Easton Corbin!
- Friday July 31, 2015
Talk Is Jericho - Ep. 165 - Mark Henry
Mark Henry's splitting wigs on TIJ! Okay, not really... but he is telling great stories about how he got started at WWE, rooming with "The Rock" during their early days, Sexual Chocolate, dating Mae Young, surviving locker room politics, working out with Vince McMahon, and his favorite Hell In A Cell match! Plus, is he really thinking about retiring one day soon?
OTHER GREAT PODCASTS
MLW Radio - MLW Radio is headed by former WWE writer Court Bauer. This website is home to numerous podcasts, such as Kevin Sullivan, Jim Cornette, John Pollock, Court Bauer, MSL, Konnan, "The Writer's Room" w/ Alex Greenfield, Court Bauer and Ed Ferrara, "Talkin Shop", and so much more.
Human Podcast Machine with Taz - Current Sports Entertainment Personality & Multi Time World Champion interviews current wrestling and sports personalities from across the world.
WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair - WOOOOOOOOOO! Add a little Flair to your life by joining the Nature Boy every week as he talks pro wrestling, sports, tells stories like only he can, and interviews his celebrity friends. No topic is off limits for Flair during his weekly CBS podcast. Come join WOOOOO! Nation!
The Art of Wrestling - This is Colt Cabana's podcast, and a very popular one. Almost every week he has a guest, and of course Colt's very funny humor.
Cheap Heat - Weekly running podcast hosted by HOT97's Peter Rosenberg and David Shoemaker. Listen as they talk with guests, all of the latest, as well as the past.
Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online - Bryan Alvarez, Mike Sempervive and Dave Meltzer, need I say more? Linked is the Sticher page with free shows. I highly recommend subscribing to get more content.
In Your Head Wrestling - A new personal favorite of mine, lots of guests and frequent shows. Give IYH a try.
SB Nation Podcasts - Here is everything else SB Nation has to offer.
Once again, if you have anything you think we should put here for everybody else to enjoy, let me know in the comment section.