I'm sad to report that World Wrestling Federation Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Also known as Hodgkin’s disease, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer found in the body’s lymphatic tissue. The lymphatic system helps filter out bacteria and is important in fighting diseases. Piper was sent home early from an early-November wrestling tour of the United Kingdom and had emergency surgery, where doctors removed a mass at the spinal cord with an enlarged lymph node. The mass was completely removed, but the lymph node tested positive for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Piper said that he will begin treatment immediately, and that he is determined to win this match. Rowdy Roddy Piper is best known for his trademark red plaid kilt that he always wears into the wrestling ring.
In old school professional wrestling back in the day, Rowdy Roddy Piper was one of the best. I remember going downtown to Louisville Gardens and watching Rowdy Roddy Piper in a tag team match with Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff as his partner. Yes, I attended an actual live wrestling match. Actually, I went to three of them. They were also one of the main attractions at the very first Wrestlemania back in the mid 80's. I really wouldn't classify Roddy Piper as a villain, though he was definitely one of the wrestlers everyone loved to hate. And he's still as popular today. In fact, he was on a wrestling tour in Europe when he doctors disovered his lymphoma. He was wrestling guys probably half his age, and was winning. He definitely paved the way for the likes of Stone Cold and The Undertaker and all of the other bad-guy wrestlers.
In a statement posted on his website, Rowdy Roddy said "It seems like I have been fighting someone, something, someplace, in some manner, my whole life. But this fight, is one I am gonna win!” You've got alot of tag team partners behind you on this one, Hot Rod. We know you'll win.
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