Netflix's The Main Event was loaded with references and cameos. A handful of modern WWE superstars were present, including Keith Lee as Smooth Operator and Babatunde as the villainous Samson. Though most of the special guests were current-day stars, the movie also called back to wrestling's heyday. Specifically, to one of its biggest names from the 1980s and 90s - Roderick Toombs AKA Rowdy Roddy Piper.
After being chased by a group of school bullies, the main character Leo stumbles upon an old wrestling mask. As it turns out, it has magical qualities that give him superhuman abilities. Using the artifact, the 11-year old boy enters a contest to become a WWE superstar hosted by company mainstay The Miz. To win it all, he realizes he needs a costume and a persona to make it in the big leagues. A quick montage plays out of him trying different outfits and catchphrases in his bedroom mirror. One outfit he tries on is a simple pair of jeans and a "Hot Rod"-emblazoned t-shirt. He says "I came here to chew bubble gum and kick butt...and I'm all out of bubblegum." to his reflection before changing.
The scene in They Live. The George Nada character and his "I came to chew bubblegum and kick ass" line are incredibly well-known to this day. This was a great way to bring Piper's entire body of work together for a small scene.
Before his untimely ing in 2015, Piper was one of wrestling's greatest heels. His peak was in the Rock 'n' Wrestling era, which coincided with the then-WWF's boom period. His rivalry with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T led him and Paul Orndorff to the main event of the very first Wrestlemania in 1984. His ion for the business kept him around as an active competitor until the early-2010's when he officially retired. Aside from pro wrestling, he worked a steady career on the big screen beginning in the late 70s. It is a shame he isn't around currently to take part in the cinematic experiments WWE has attempted in recent years.
This was a fitting tribute to one of professional wrestling's trailblazers and in many ways embodied Roddy's role in the controversial wrestling industry. He was instantly recognizable and was immensely popular, but he was never the focus of the card. Through his run from 1984-1996, the only title he held was the WWF Intercontinental Championship. He was not a consistent main-event player with a decorated trophy case, but he didn't have to be. Accolades didn't define him, his presence in the ring and quick wit on the microphone were enough. Rowdy Roddy Piper's representation in The Main Event was spot-on, highlighting his contributions to the ring and cinema at the same time.
