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Ric Flair, John Cena and more share their thoughts on the passing of Roddy Piper

By Sean Rueter
WWE.com

It's virtually impossible to keep up with the outpouring of thoughts, memories & reflections on the career and life of Roddy Piper. With his wrestling days spanning back to the early 1970s and an acting career that begin in the mid-1980s, The Rowdy One touched a lot of lives.

And, as was the case with the all-to-recent death of Dusty Rhodes, you have to search to find people who didn't love working with Piper, which to a lot of emotions and gratitude.

Starting off with another guy in the greatest heel of all-time discussion, Ric Flair issued a statement to TMZ which read:

We've shared the ring, traveled the world, maintained a friendship throughout the ups and downs of the wrestling world, and battled to see who was the better heel. It's almost impossible to express my grief. My condolences to his children and to his wife Kitty. I'll miss you Roddy. The world will never be as Rowdy without you.

From Twitter and Instagram, which has been pretty much non-stop since yesterday afternoon when the news broke that Roddy had died in his sleep following cardiac arrest, folks from the top to the bottom of the wrestling business sent messages:

A photo posted by Bret (@brethitmanhart) on

I can't find the words to describe the sorrow in my heart upon learning the news of my dear friend, Roddy Piper, passing away. He was my closest friend in the business, a man that schooled me and guided me throughout my career. In fact, if it wasn't for Roddy Piper reaching out to help me, I'm sure I would've been a mere footnote in wrestling. He was always there for me. He was family to me, a brother who loved me and was there for me through my darkest days. He was the only wrestler to come visit me when I suffered a stroke in 2002. He totally made me at Wrestlemania 8 in our classic match. Passing a torch that many from that era couldn't conceive of doing. We always called each other "cuz" because we were so close. I loved you Roddy, and I'll miss you and your laugh for the rest of my days. I'm stunned and the hole in my heart will widen as it sinks in that I lost a brother of such great worth. What a tragic loss to all that knew him.

Sorry to hear of the passing of my friend and Wrestlemania rival #RoddyPiper. One of the greatest who ever lived, but more importantly a legit sweet family man with a good heart. God bless you Rod....See you on the other side. #RIPHotRod

A photo posted by Torrie Wilson (@torriewilson) on

I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of Rowdy Roddy Piper today. A great person w/a sweet soul gone too soon. God Bless Roddy & his family #RestInPeace #RoddyPiper

And his acting family was well represented, too:

You were loved, Hot Rod.

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