Source: TMZ

Ric Flair issued the following comments to TMZ on the passing of his friend, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper:

“We’ve shared the ring, traveled the world, maintained a friendship throughout the ups and downs of the wrestling world, and battled to see who was the better heel. It’s almost impossible to express my grief. My condolences to his children and to his wife Kitty. I’ll miss you Roddy. The world will never be as Rowdy without you.”

– The Rock posted the following on Piper’s passing:

RIP legend. I first met this wrestling icon when I was 12yrs old when he was wrestling my pops the WWE. For weeks and weeks after that meeting I would have my mom set up a video camera in the kitchen as I would "become" Hot Rod and mimmic and emulate his every word, style, swag, heat, cool cockiness and all delivered with his classic smile (and my awful 12yr old afro).He was a huge influence on me as a kid and an even bigger one when I became The Rock in the WWE. Thank you Roddy for all the talks, all the stories (especially the crazy ones about my grandfather and grandmother😂) all the advice and most importantly.. all the memories of you entertaining us fans. You're missed my friend. Heaven just got a lil' rowdier… Rest in love ~ DJ #JustWhenTheyThinkTheyHaveAllTheAnswers #HotRodChangesTheQuestions

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Jul 31, 2015 at 4:36pm PDT

RIP legend. I first met this wrestling icon when I was 12yrs old when he was wrestling my pops the WWE. For weeks and weeks after that meeting I would have my mom set up a video camera in the kitchen as I would “become” Hot Rod and mimmic and emulate his every word, style, swag, heat, cool cockiness and all delivered with his classic smile (and my awful 12yr old afro).He was a huge influence on me as a kid and an even bigger one when I became The Rock in the WWE. Thank you Roddy for all the talks, all the stories (especially the crazy ones about my grandfather and grandmother?) all the advice and most importantly.. all the memories of you entertaining us fans. You’re missed my friend. Heaven just got a lil’ rowdier… Rest in love ~ DJ #JustWhenTheyThinkTheyHaveAllTheAnswers #HotRodChangesTheQuestions [spacer height=”20px”]

Steve Austin, who had recent issues with WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, tweeted the following on Piper passing away this week at the age of 61:

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Roddy Piper's passing. He was one of a kind and one of the all time greats. #prowrestling

— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) July 31, 2015

Bruce Prichard also commented on Piper’s passing and said Piper called him last night at 9pm. As noted, Piper passed away after going into cardiac arrest in his sleep. Prichard tweeted:

R.I.P. My dear friend Roddy Piper. He called me last night at 9 and left a message. I will miss you and always love you Roddy #HotRod

— Bruce Prichard (@bruceprichard) July 31, 2015

As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper has passed away at the age of 61. TMZ reports that Piper passed on Thursday night after going into cardiac arrest while he was sleeping and was found on Friday.

WWE sent us this statement on Piper with comments from Vince McMahon:

WWE is deeply saddened that Roderick Toombs, aka “Rowdy” Roddy Piper – WWE Hall of Famer and Intercontinental Champion – passed away today at the age of 61. WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Toombs’ family, friends and fans.

“Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved my millions of fans around the world,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family.

Source: TMZ

Hulk Hogan commented on the passing of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper to TMZ, perhaps his greatest rival in the ring.

“He was my best friend. He is a legend,” Hogan said. “God’s gain is our loss. May his family in this time of need, find peace. Much love forever, HH.”

Hogan and Piper were involved in the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985. They also faced each other in a singles match at The Wrestling Classic on November 7, 1985, which was technically WWE’s first-ever pay-per-view event. They reignited their feud in WCW in 1996, and again in WWE in 2003. Despite their feud starting in 1985, Piper’s victory over Hogan at Starrcade in 1996 was the first time that one of their televised matches had a decisive finish.