10 Fascinating WWE WrestleMania 19 Facts
5. Roddy Piper Was Brought Back In Spite Of His Controversial HBO Interview
Piper's ignominious 2003 run with WWE is probably best forgotten, as it was a major low point in the career of one of wrestling's most storied icons. When "The Hot Rod" ran surprise interference for Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan's oddly-enjoyable bloodbath, he was in a dark place in his life, lamenting the loss of so many of his brothers-in-tights in recent years.
It was Bruce Prichard that suggested to Vince the idea of bringing Piper back, and according to Prichard, Piper had made them aware of an interview he'd recently taped for HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel. In the piece, he openly discussed the deadly drug culture of the business, the callousness of wrestling promoters, and even said he wouldn't live to age 65 (he died in July 2015 at 61).
The interview didn't air until June 2003, and Piper was released from the company in conjunction with its broadcast. Despite Prichard claiming that Piper told he and McMahon about the interview before his rehiring, the grimness of the interview led to WWE severing ties with him anyway.