"Rowdy" Roddy Piper Released From The WWE

[The Dork Knight]

From www.backstagewrestling.com
Since March 31, 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) and Roderick Toombs, p/k/a “Roddy Piper”, have attempted to negotiate the terms of an arrangement for Roddy to appear on WWE programming through August of this year. The parties have been unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

On Tuesday, June 24, Piper appeared on an HBO program and revealed disturbing facts about his own personal drug use. Piper stated that he used drugs for many years while working in professional wrestling and that he does not like the person that he becomes when he actively performs as a professional wrestler.

In view of WWE’s inability to reach agreement on a contract and to assist Piper from engaging in any self destructive behavior, the WWE is ending any further discussion with Piper regarding a contract.

The WWE sincerely hopes for Piper and his family that Roddy can find happiness.

Now WWE really REALLY sucks....

- The Dork Knight

[Zero Signal]

Man, I really enjoyed Piper. He usually had good promos and was always unpredictable and wild. Not a big fan of his wrestling (as evidinced tonight on Smackdown), but he was pretty cool. I hope he gets his life together and comes back.

And I really hope that Sean O' Haire isn't buried by this, I've always been a big fan of his and think teaming with Piper was doing more bad than good for him.

[Andy Mancini]

Saddened a bit, as Piper is one of my favorites, but not shocked. Actually, I expected him to disappear a few days after Wrestlemania.

[czyznyck99]

Damn. Now he's going to go back to NWA-TNA.

On a selfish note, maybe Sean O'Haire can get back that "Devil's Advocate" push that was halted when he teamed up with Piper.

Later.

[Mike Spartz]

Heh...I never liked him much anyway.

[EinBebop]

...to assist Piper from engaging in any self destructive behavior...

You gotta admit, that's kind of funny.

[Boy Wonder]

WHAT?!? THe Piper's Pit was actually good, and the tag team match was below average, but they got to give Piper a second wind just like, sorry to say this, HAGAN!

[The Penguin]

I went and look for this on WWE.com before commenting and it is there (http://www.wwe.com/news/headlines/1227705).

I'm kind of disappointed by this because Piper has always been entertaining and a lot of fun. The return of Piper's Pit was really working for me and I think O'Haire received a decent boost at least at first.

This really isn't WWE's fault though. Roddy apparently just wouldn't agree to any deal they offered him and when you're running a business there comes a point when you just can't agree to what the talent wants or wait around, signing them from week to week until a deal can be reached.

Personally I never expected to see Piper in the WWE again after his WCW run so his return at WrestleMania was quite a surprise. It's not at all inconceivable that the "Hot Rod" could once again grace the WWE airwaves one more time in the future.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Kinda surprising, I'd say. But, as The Penguin said, it is definitely not inconceivable that he'll be back someday.

Last night, as is done every week, they (The Score; a Canadian 24-hour sports station that plays Smackdown!) showed the dates for when the WWE will be appearing in Canadian towns. Included was an old-school rant by Piper about how his guest on The Piper's Pit in Calgary will be Vince McMahon. I guess that won't be happening now, no doubt much to the chagrin of Piper fans in Calgary.