Source: f4wonline.com

By Dave Meltzer, WrestlingObserver.com

TMZ.com reported Friday that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (born Roderick George Toombs) has passed away at the age of 61.

The site reported Piper died of cardiac arrest in his sleep Thursday night in Hollywood, CA.

Piper was one of the key figures in the growth of WWF. In particular, he helped power the success of the first WrestleMania: the most important show in company history beacuse it was such a make-or-break event. He was considered one of the greatest promos in pro wrestling history, competed in all of the major organizations, and while he never won a World title, he held the WWF Intercontinental title and the WWF Tag Team titles (w/Ric Flair).

He was named to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and was an actor in a variety of lead and supporting roles in B-movies and TV series like the infamous They Live, Bodyslam, and Hell Comes To Frogtown.

Piper leaves behind his wife, Kitty, four children, and one grandchild.

We'll publish more details as we get them.

R.I.P.

That's so sad. He was always sort of an inspiration to my family after he beat cancer, when my mom got sick. I kind of always thought a little that he was ten feet tall and bulletproof after that.

This summer has been a very sad one for pro wrestling legends.

Well it looks like it's time to fire one up for the ol' Hot Rod. Rest In Peace.

Well... this is turning out to be quite the year, isn't it.

Big Red Machine wrote:Well... this is turning out to be quite the year, isn't it.

Don't say that, or it will just keep going.

worst thing i had so many other guys in my deathpool this year, Piper, Dusty, and Perrito were definitely out of nowhere.