Over his lengthy career in professional wrestling, Piper trained under Rousey’s mentor, “Judo” Gene Lebell, with regularity. Years later, Rousey came along and trained with the martial arts legend as well.
When Rousey eventually made the jump to professional MMA after earning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Rousey asked Piper if she could use his namesake “Rowdy” as her own.
