WWE Legend Pat Patterson Passes Away

WWE Hall of Famer and the first ever Intercontinental champion in history, Pat Patterson, has sadly passed away today at the age of 79.

According to multiple reports, Pat Patterson died after a battle with cancer. Aside from being a former wrestler, Patterson also worked behind the scenes for many years to groom younger talent.

Another notable thing about Patterson is that he was the first openly gay pro wrestler star. He truly was a pioneer of the wrestling industry.

WWE.com posted a bio of Patterson earlier today. You can read their announcement posted down below.

"WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at age 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.

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