WWE Pays Tribute To ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper With Emotional Video To Open ‘RAW’

Professional wrestling lost a legend last week when “Rowdy” Roddy Piper died at age 61.

“Hot Rod” died of cardiac arrest in his sleep Friday, sending the all too familiar feeling of sadness through the wrestling world over a big name gone way too soon.

WWE returned to live TV on Monday night for “WWE RAW,” and the show started, fittingly, with a tribute to Piper. As “RAW” came on the air, the entire World Wrestling Entertainment roster — including owner Vince McMahon — gathered on stage. All of the wrestlers were wearing Piper’s signature “Hot Rod” T-shirt. The ring bell was tolled 10 times, and then this touching video tribute was played to start the show.