WWE Corridor of Famer Pat Patterson has died on the age of 79, WWE confirmed on Wednesday.
Born in Montreal in 1941, Patterson entered the wrestling enterprise in 1958 in Canada and ultimately made his method to the AWA, the place he and Ray Stevens turned tag-team champions. He joined WWE — then often known as WWF — in 1979 and have become the primary Intercontinental champion. In WWE lore, Patterson gained the title in a event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He would maintain the title for 233 days.
Whereas Patterson is most generally recognized within the wrestling world for being the primary Intercontinental champion, and for being one in all Vince McMahon’s on-screen “Stooges” in the course of the common Angle Period of the late 90s, maybe Patterson’s most lasting contribution would be the invention of the Royal Rumble match, which was first televised in 1988 and continues to be a yearly tentpole match for WWE immediately.
“The extra I stored operating the concept over in my thoughts, the extra it took form and I used to be positive I used to be on to one thing,” Patterson would write in his biography, “Accepted: How the First Homosexual Famous person Modified WWE.”
“I felt it: each intuition in my physique instructed me it could work. So I lastly introduced the concept to Vince. He laughed on the idea at first, saying that an hour was manner too lengthy to maintain followers . The primary Royal Rumble was a hit, however till it was over, we did not actually know if it could work. I knew it was a singular concept, however till a crowd responds, it is exhausting to know for positive.”
I can’t specific how crushed I really feel proper now with the lack of Pat Patterson. A real member of my household, mentor and pricey good friend.
I really like you Pat.
God velocity. pic.twitter.com/FdaAFnsw8m— Shane McMahon (@shanemcmahon) December 2, 2020
In 1981, Patterson and fellow WWE Corridor of Famer Sgt. Slaughter had a bloody rivalry that culminated in a number of “Boot Camp” matches throughout stay occasions and an “Alley Struggle” at Madison Sq. Backyard, which the Wrestling Observer publication appointed match of the 12 months.
After retiring from the ring in 1984, Patterson remained ringside doing commentary, and ultimately moved to a backstage position in WWE, typically as Vince McMahon’s right-hand man. Patterson is widely known as probably the most artistic minds in professional wrestling, notably with creative finishes to matches.
Patterson was one of many first brazenly homosexual performers inside the wrestling business, however largely stored it secret from the viewing public till nicely after his in-ring profession. He spoke about it publicly in an emotional scene on WWE’s “Legends Home” actuality collection.
Patterson was inducted into the WWE Corridor of Fame in 1996.
