Bret “Hitman” Hart wrote a very touching tribute to his dear friend Roddy Piper on his Instagram following the news of his death.

“I can’t find the words to describe the sorrow in my heart upon learning the news of my dear friend, Roddy Piper, passing away. He was my closest friend in the business, a man that schooled me and guided me throughout my career,” Hart said.

Bret credited Piper for helping him and preventing him from being just a “mere footnote” in wrestling as he was always there for him.

“He was family to me, a brother who loved me and was there for me through my darkest days. He was the only wrestler to come visit me when I suffered a stroke in 2002,” the Hall of Famer added.

Bret recounted how Piper “totally made him” at WrestleMania VIII during their classic match for the Intercontinental title, passing the torch that many others in that era couldn’t conceive of doing.

“I loved you Roddy, and I’ll miss you and your laugh for the rest of my days. I’m stunned and the hole in my heart will widen as it sinks in that I lost a brother of such great worth. What a tragic loss to all that knew him.”