Los Angeles-based producer and director, Stephen DeBro (Steve DeBro) interviewed WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper for his 2021 documentary about Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditorium, and he recalled ending up on Piper’s bad side.
DeBro spoke with the late Piper for the “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story” and he shared the experience on a recent episode of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Piper coming annoyed at him during the interview: “Roddy was annoyed at my line of questioning, and he turned the camera on me. [It] wasn’t my thought to take on Roddy, but it was certainly his thought to teach me a lesson which was really uncomfortable… Before I’d interviewed Roddy, I’d interviewed The Destroyer. He was openly using terms like ‘babyface’ and ‘heel’ so, I had started to use insider terms [with Piper, who] was all about protecting the business. He felt like I hadn’t earned the right to start talking about those kinds of terms.”
On Piper turning the interview around on him: “[Piper] really wanted me to respect him as a wrestler first. He didn’t think I was doing that and so, he started asking me, ‘So what makes a professional wrestler successful?’… He wasn’t pleased with me in the beginning and made it clear. But it made for an incredible interview in the end and I was really honored to meet him and get a chance to see that brilliant mind at work.”
On his respect for Piper: “I worked with some really smart, brilliant people, like George Carlin. I consider Piper’s brain to be on that same level of just someone who was sparkly sharp, how he understood wrestling, how he understood character development, how he understood the work.”
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In a recent interview, Los Angeles-based producer and director Stephen DeBro shared his experience of interviewing WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper for his documentary about Los Angeles’ Olympic Auditorium. DeBro appeared on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast to discuss the encounter and revealed that he ended up on Piper’s bad side during the interview.
DeBro explained that Piper was annoyed with his line of questioning and turned the camera on him. It was not DeBro’s intention to challenge Piper, but the wrestler took it upon himself to teach him a lesson. Piper felt that DeBro had not earned the right to use insider terms like “babyface” and “heel,” which are commonly used in professional wrestling. Piper, who was known for his dedication to protecting the business, believed that DeBro needed to show more respect for him as a wrestler.
As the interview progressed, Piper began asking DeBro about what makes a professional wrestler successful. It was clear that Piper was not pleased with DeBro initially, but the encounter ultimately led to an incredible interview. DeBro expressed his honor at meeting Piper and witnessing his brilliant mind at work.
DeBro also shared his admiration for Piper’s intelligence and understanding of wrestling. He compared Piper’s sharpness to that of George Carlin, whom he had also worked with. DeBro recognized Piper’s deep understanding of character development and the intricacies of the wrestling world.
Roddy Piper, who passed away in 2015, left a lasting impact on the wrestling industry. His charisma, in-ring skills, and ability to captivate audiences made him one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time. Despite their initial clash during the interview, DeBro holds great respect for Piper and considers him among the brilliant minds he has worked with.
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