Pat Patterson, the real name Pierre Clermont, was known as a legendary figure which was essential in the history of the professional struggle – he invented the most exciting match of Wwe. Patterson was not afraid to show his flamboyant side and make his creative spirit feel.
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The death and inheritance of the legend of WWE Pat Patterson, explained
From the first intercontinental champion to the creation of the Royal Rumble, Pat Patterson changed his struggle forever.
His life was filled with remarkable achievements and personal milestones. There are many things that Pat Patterson has done for the professional industry that often slide the spirit of fans. One thing is certain, Pat Patterson was a beloved icon in the world of professional struggle.
He went to 79 years
Patterson spent over 40 years with WWE
Date |
Place |
|
---|---|---|
Born |
January 19, 1941 |
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Deceased |
December 2, 2020 |
Miami, Florida, United States |
Patterson was born on January 19, 1941 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He died on December 2, 2020 at 79 and left a legacy of notable distinctions. His heritage was noted in a 2016 autobiography, Accepted: how the first gay superstar changed WWE.
In 1985, Patterson retired from the professional struggle, although he continued sporadically to enter later. He spent the majority of his time as a road and straight man to Vince McMahon of WWE.
Patterson was the first openly gay wrestler
He was not afraid to remain faithful to himself
- Patterson helped challenge stereotypes and open the diversity of the struggle.
- His courage made him a model in the wrestling community.
- He technically came to the public in 2014, but he was known in the community of struggle for decades.
Despite the conservative nature of the professional struggle at the time, Pat Patterson was the first openly gay wrestler. He kissed his identity and became a pioneer for the LGBTQ + representation in struggle.

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Patterson’s education was not without struggle. Many personal problems have embarrassed, such as being expelled from his house at 14 after being released as a gay. His life was considered a testimony to resilience, creativity and ruptured barriers.
Pat has had many health problems as they get older
Cancer and dementia were important obstacles for Patterson
- His dementia worsened to the point that he needed 24/7 supervision.
- During the months preceding his death, he was faced with significant weight loss and numerous hospitalizations.
- Patterson finally died due to liver insufficiency but also fought against bladder cancer.
Patterson fought against bladder cancer and dementia in the years that led to his death. He finally died of hepatic insufficiency caused by a bad blood clot. His health has deteriorated considerably and he was transferred to an assisted life center in Miami, Florida, before his death. It was very difficult for Patterson to perform basic functions such as eating and walking later in life.
His death saddened the whole universe of struggle, while icons such as Triple H and Shane McMahon welcomed his work which opened the way for future generations to rely on his inheritance.
He was the very first intercontinental champion
The winner of an April -April joke tournament
Date |
Details |
---|---|
September 1, 1979 |
Bat Johnny Rodz in a fictitious tournament held in Brazil |
WWE presented the intercontinental championship in 1979 as an intermediate card title. Patterson became the first champion after winning a tournament that never took place. Patterson held the title for 6 months before depositing it in Ken Patera. The tournament would have been a huge April fish joke that would be used against Patterson later in his career.
Patterson has never won the Intercontinental championship again, although he won the WWE Hardcore championship and the North WWE championship each time. Patterson even won the WWE 24/7 championship, and was the oldest person to have ever held the title.
Patterson invented the Royal Rumble match
The match we know and all love thanks to Pat
- Patterson proposed the concept in the 80s on several occasions before being accepted and set in motion.
- The first Royal Rumble took place on the American network on January 24, 1988 and presented 20 superstars instead of 30.
- The success of the event led him to become his own PPV, widely considered to be the 3rd largest of the year behind Wrestlemania and Summerslam.
The favorite match of many WWE fans may never have taken place without Pat Patterson. During a meeting with the executive of NBC, Dick Ebersol, Patterson shared his vision of the match, explaining that a new wrestler would enter the match every 2 minutes and that the eliminations would occur as in a regular royal battle.

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Vince McMahon thought the concept was stupid, but Ebersol fell in love with the idea. Patterson developed the first match that ended up being a great success. All these years later, there remains one of the best games of the year.
He was a partner of Louie Dondero
The pair was inseparable
- The couple was never legally married but remained in a relationship committed for decades.
- LGBTQ + problems during this period meant that the couple, especially Dondero, lived a private lifestyle.
- Dondero underwent a heart attack in 1998 which deeply affected Pat Patterson and how he lived his life.
Patterson, an openly gay wrestler, spent the majority of his life with Louie Dondero and stayed with him until his death in 1998. The couple met in the early 1960s while they were both working for the great promotion of Tony Santos. In total, they were together for more than 40 years.
We don’t know much publicly on the pair, which lived a private life at a time when being openly gay was very controversial. WWE has never publicly recognized Patterson being gay or her husband to the WWE legends house final, broadcast on June 12, 2014.
He was a brass phalanx champion
Some say it was his great breakthrough as a wrestler
Date |
Details |
---|---|
July 18, 1968 |
Defeated Thunderbolt Patterson to win the championship |
Patterson held the Nwa Brass Knuckles championship when he beat Thunderbolt Patterson in 1968. The title was regularly defended in matches where competitors had to wear brass joints.
He held this title until November 1968, when he lost against Dory Funk. Patterson was making a name for himself in Western States Sports, a territory of the NWA which promoted this championship.
Patterson is a temple of WWE renown
The highest honors for professional wrestlers
Date |
Details |
---|---|
November 16, 1996 |
Bret Hart inducted Pat Patterson in the WWE renown temple |
Pat Patterson was inducted at the WWE renown temple in 1996. Patterson’s career lasted several decades, during which he had a lasting impact both in the ring and behind the scenes. He had a notable rivalry with the SGT. WWE slaughter and was involved in the infamous famous training camp matches.
After his wrestling career, Patterson showed his creative spirit working closely with Vince McMahon. The other members of the 1996 class include Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka and Vince McMahon Sr. Patterson was inducted into the temple of reputation by Bret Hart.