WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.
The inaugural WWE Intercontinental Champion had recently battled cancer. Tony Marinaro noted on Twitter that Patterson passed away in a Miami hospital this morning.
Born Pierre Clemont, Patterson started his career in the late ’50s and is famed for being the first openly gay WWF star. His career spanned more than six decades, most recently winning WWE’s 24/7 Championship in 2019.
As part of Vince McMahon’s most trusted circle throughout his wrestling career, Patterson is credited with the creation and format of the famed Royal Rumble match, a fan-favorite and staple of WWE’s yearly programming for more than 30 years.
Alongside Gerald Brisco, Patterson regained fame during the WWF “Attitude Era” as one of McMahon’s villainous on-screen henchmen, often playing into nefarious schemes and storylines to help prop up the evil McMahon. He’s often credited with helping boost McMahon’s character into another stratosphere.
Long heralded for his ability to spot and cultivate talent and his influential mind for the business, Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 and is widely considered one of the greatest minds in wrestling history. Serving as wrestler, commentator, on-screen crony and behind-the-scenes mastermind, Patterson touched all four posts in wrestling.
“In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes,” WWE said in a statement.
Below is WWE’s statement:
WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79.
A true trailblazer of the industry, Patterson was linked to many “firsts” in sports-entertainment throughout his storied career, including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match. In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes.
Patterson began his career in 1958 in his native Canada before becoming a fixture in the Bay Area for nearly two decades. After winning the AWA Tag Team Championship with Ray Stevens in 1978, Patterson moved on to WWE. Under the tutelage of The Grand Wizard, Patterson made an immediate impact and became the first Intercontinental Champion in September 1979. Patterson’s most legendary WWE rivalry was undoubtedly his war with Sgt. Slaughter, which captivated the WWE Universe with Boot Camp Matches and a brutal Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden.
Shortly before his in-ring retirement in 1984, Patterson joined Mr. McMahon as a color commentator. Even after hanging up his boots, Patterson was far from finished reimagining the possibilities of the sports-entertainment industry. In 1988, Patterson brought one of the ring’s most groundbreaking ideas to life by creating the original format for the Royal Rumble Match.
Patterson returned to the ring during WWE’s electric “Attitude Era,” creating many memorable moments alongside Gerald Brisco as one of Mr. McMahon’s hilarious “Stooges.” Patterson even pinned Crash Holly to claim the Hardcore Title. For all his efforts, Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret Hart.
In his 25-plus years in WWE, Patterson was synonymous with making history. From the Intercontinental Title to the Royal Rumble Match and beyond, his name will forever be revered in WWE lore. This amazing legacy was captured in Patterson’s 2016 autobiography, Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE, a moving chronicle about his life both inside and out of the ring.
WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.
The wrestling world mourns the loss of the iconic Patterson:
