![strong gay men wrestling strong gay men wrestling](https://progresswrestling.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Callum-Newman-WIDE-copy-scaled.jpg)
“A true member of my family, mentor and dear friend. “I can not express how crushed I feel right now with the loss of Pat Patterson,” WWE executive and part-time wrestler Shane McMahon wrote on Twitter. Patterson was beloved by many - though perhaps no one more than the first family of WWE, The McMahons. Louie Dondero, Patterson’s partner, died in 1998.Īlso Read: Tracy Smothers, Who Wrestled in WWE as Freddie Joe Floyd, Dies at 58
#Strong gay men wrestling professional
The two had heated Boot Camp Matches as well as an iconic Alley Fight at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, which is considered the Mecca of professional wrestling. Patterson’s most memorable in-ring rivalry was vs. He would go on to win the AWA Tag Team Championship with Ray Stevens in 1978. Patterson began his wrestling career in 1958 in his native Canada. Patterson was considered WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s right-hand man for much of the company’s growth.Īlso Read: Rulon Gardner Explains Why Talks With WWE Broke Down - Twice
![strong gay men wrestling strong gay men wrestling](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1b/23/05/1b2305f1c3832619f0b01becd8293ca7.jpg)
It is where last-minute match decisions are made, and where accolades or advice is dispersed following a match. “Gorilla,” named after WWF legend Gorilla Monsoon, is where key members of WWE production sit directly behind the curtain separating backstage from the arena. Patterson could often be found manning the all-important “Gorilla Position” backstage. Patterson, born Pierre Clermont in 1941, published a memoir in 2016 titled “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.” And boy did he change WWE.Īfter effectively retiring from actually wrestling, Patterson provided commentary for the WWE/WWF and produced matches for other wrestlers.
#Strong gay men wrestling series
Patterson was a cast member on 2014 reality TV series “WWE Legends’ House.”Īlso Read: WWE's The Undertaker on Retirement, Boneyard Match and When Wrestlers' Court Gets Real “WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.” “WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79,” the organization said in a statement. Later, Patterson created the popular Royal Rumble Match. Patterson, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret “Hitman” Hart, was the first-ever Intercontinental Champion. Pat Patterson, a WWE and WWF legend and the first openly gay pro-wrestling superstar, has died.