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Professional wrestling icon Pat Patterson, the industry’s first openly gay star and longtime lieutenant of promoter Vince McMahon, has died, officials said on Wednesday.
The WWE Hall of Fame member was 79 years old.
“A true industry pioneer, Patterson has been linked with many ‘firsts’ in sports entertainment throughout his rich career,” World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement. “Over a six-decade career, the Renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes.”
Professional wrestler John Cena said he’ll never forget Patterson’s friendly demeanor and zest for life.
“Pat Patterson has lived life as it should be lived with passion, love and determination”, Cena said in a statement. “He’s helped so many people and always had fun with a story or a joke. He will always live in my life. I love you Patrick.”
Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, tweeted an all-caps praise of his contemporary, praising “Patteron’s beautiful spirit for this business and his beautiful heart for this world.”
“I don’t know what to say except I love you,” he wrote. “My heart is broken. God bless you and your family. Thank you for your friendship.”
Longtime WWE referee Charles Robinson has said he would miss seeing his old friend in the ring, backstage, in the press and even at the karaoke bar.
“One of the greatest minds in the business and just a great guy,” Robinson said. “I will miss him and his karaoke! RIP my friend. You are a hero to many!”
Teenager Patterson was kicked out of his Montreal home after introducing himself to his parents and did the unthinkable – immigrated to America to succeed in the hyper-macho world of pro wrestling, he wrote in his bio: “Accepted: How the first gay superstar changed WWE.” “
He was the first to hold the title of “Intercontinental Champion” in 1979, and his rivalry in the early 1980s with Sgt. Slaughter took professional wrestling to new heights of popularity.
It resulted in the famous “Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden” in New York City on May 4, 1981.
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