Pat Petterson

Pat Patterson (born Pierre Clermont; January 19, 1941 – December 2, 2020) was a Canadian-American professional wrestler and producer, widely known for his long tenure in the professional wrestling promotion WWE, first as a wrestler, then as a creative consultant and producer ("booker").

He is recognized by the company as their first Intercontinental Champion and creator of the Royal Rumble match.

Patterson was born into an impoverished French-speaking family in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 19, 1941.

He began training to wrestle at the age of 14 at Loisirs Saint Jean Baptiste.

He was raised Roman Catholic, and was an altar boy.

He expressed an interest to a priest in becoming one himself, but was advised it would not have worked, because he was "too adventurous".

Patterson debuted in Montreal, Quebec in 1958, wrestling at the Palais des Sports for promoter Sylvio Samson.

Early in his career, he performed as "Killer" Pat Patterson.

After Stevens turned face in the late 1960s, he had a feud with the heel Patterson, culminating in a Texas Death match, in which Stevens won the title from Patterson.

In 1961, Patterson - despite speaking no English - immigrated to the United States to pursue his professional wrestling career.

He eventually became a U.S. citizen.

Patterson initially worked for Tony Santos's Big Time Wrestling promotion in Boston, Massachusetts.

While living and working in Boston, Patterson met his long-term partner, Louie Dondero.

In 1962, Patterson was recruited by Mad Dog Vachon for Don Owen's Portland, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Wrestling promotion.

At the encouragement of PNW promoter Harry Elliot, who was aware of Patterson's homosexuality, Patterson developed the character of "Pretty Boy" Pat Patterson, an effeminate wrestler who wore lipstick, sunglasses, and a beret and carried a cigarette holder.

In 1963, Patterson wrestled for promotions in Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma as part of a talent exchange organized by Owen.

Patterson returned to Pacific Northwest Wrestling in 1964.

He held the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship on two occasions that year.

On October 2, 1964, Patterson defeated Pepper Martin for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship.

He held the championship for six weeks before losing to Martin.

Patterson won the championship again in 1965 and 1966.

In January 1965, Patterson was hired by Roy Shire for his San Francisco, California-based Big Time Wrestling promotion.

At Shire's request, Patterson dyed his hair blond to form a tag team with Ray Stevens, the Blond Bombers.

The duo won the NWA World Tag Team Championship in 1965 and again in 1967.

In 1968, Patterson wrestled for NWA Western States Wrestling in Amarillo, Texas as Lord Patrick Patterson, winning the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship and NWA Brass Knuckles Championship.

In the same year, he undertook a six-week tour of Japan, facing Antonio Inoki in a series of bouts.

The Blonde Bombers were described by Bret Hart as "considered by many to be the best tag team of the 1970s".

In 1970 and 1971, Patterson wore a mask during his matches, and would cheat by placing a foreign object under the mask to add power to his headbutts.

In 1972, Patterson turned face again, after feuding with Lars Anderson, who was managed by Dr. Ken Ramey.

Later that year, he teamed with Rocky Johnson and won the tag team championship.

In 1975 and 1981, Patterson won the Cow Palace Battle Royal in San Francisco.

In 1977, Patterson wrestled for Eddie Graham's Tampa, Florida-based Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion.

During his run, he won the NWA Florida Television Championship and the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, as well as briefly serving as booker.

In 1978, Patterson joined Verne Gagne's Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association.

He reformed The Blond Bombers with Ray Stevens, with the duo winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship later that year.

In 1979, Patterson toured Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Patterson performed intermittently for the AWA until 1983.

He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1996.

In 2019, Patterson became the oldest person to win a title in WWE history, after winning the WWE 24/7 Championship at age 78.

He was described by journalist Dave Meltzer as "Vince McMahon's right-hand man" and "one of the chief architects of the WWE, playing an integral role in helping it become a global phenomenon".