UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 19 (9:53 a.m.) – “Rowdy’ Roddy Piper suffered a fatal heart attack brought on by a blood clot in his lungs, reports TMZ, which has obtained a copy of the WWE star’s death certificate.
The document states that Piper, who passed away at 61, had a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot) that triggered a heart attack.
The clot, explains the death certificate, was likely brought on by the fact that Piper suffered from hypertension for years, which caused chronic high blood pressure that may have resulted in clotting.
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“Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, the charismatic wrestler who knew just how much drama, intensity, and humour to bring into the squared circle has passed away at 61 of natural causes.
“Hot Rod’ (born Roderick George Toombs) enjoyed his heyday during the 1980s as one of the main draws of the burgeoning World Wrestling Federation. Entertaining both in and out of the ring, Piper could hold his own with such grapplers as Hulk Hogan and Paul “Mr. Wonderful”; Orndorff, then match that aplomb as he took hold of the microphone for “Piper’s Pit’, a talk show of sorts that saw Piper’s silver tongue shine.
In 1988 Piper blazed a trail from wrestling to Hollywood that has since become well-trodden by the likes of “The Rock’ and Chris Jericho when he starred in John Carpenter’s “They Live’. The film has since attained cult status, thanks in part to one of the best fight scenes ever.
“Hot Rod”;s infamy saw him inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall Of Fame in 2005. He is survived by his wife and four children.
