I greatly enjoyed the newest WWE-themed A&E Biography on Roddy Piper, as the family aspect of his life added a necessary element to his overall story.
Hardcore wrestling fans remember the high points of his career at WrestleMania I and WrestleMania VIII. But diving into how the grind of an 80s and 90s wrestling touring schedule impacted him and his family showcased the incredible toll it can have on those at the top. That was especially evident in Piper’s appearance on The Rich Eisen Show shortly before his passing.
It was rather fascinating to hear about Piper the family man from his kids and widow. Despite being on the road 300-plus days per year, he made the most of his time at home. He put all his attention into his family on the rare days away from the ring, and that’s an admirable thing.
The family highlighted the list of interview subjects. You also had Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Bret Hart, and others offer their memories and interactions with Piper. The strangest of those interactions came at the start of the documentary with Vince “talking” to Piper on his phone.
Despite playing the ultimate heel at one point during his career, it was hard not to appreciate Piper’s genius. This documentary did a very good job of capturing that. I especially loved seeing the notebooks he’d use to capture all of his ideas.
Overall, the Roddy Piper Biography special was a nice tribute to one of the best minds in pro wrestling history.
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