1. Pat Patterson is recognized by the company as their first Intercontinental Champion and creator of the Royal Rumble match.
34 Facts About Pat Patterson
1. 2.
Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1996.
3.
Pat Patterson 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".
4.
Pat Patterson began training to wrestle at the age of 14 at Loisirs Saint Jean Baptiste.
5.
Pat Patterson was raised Roman Catholic, and was an altar boy.
6.
Pat Patterson expressed an interest to a priest in becoming one himself, but was advised it would not have worked, because he was "too adventurous".
7.
In 1961, Patterson - despite speaking no English - immigrated to the United States to pursue his professional wrestling career.
8.
In 1962, Patterson was recruited by Mad Dog Vachon for Don Owen's Portland, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Wrestling promotion.
9.
In 1963, Patterson wrestled for promotions in Texas, Arizona and Oklahoma as part of a talent exchange organized by Owen.
10.
Pat Patterson held the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship on two occasions that year.
11.
On October 2,1964, Patterson defeated Pepper Martin for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship.
12.
Pat Patterson held the championship for six weeks before losing to Martin.
13.
In January 1965, Patterson was hired by Roy Shire for his San Francisco, California-based Big Time Wrestling promotion.
14.
At Shire's request, Patterson dyed his hair blond to form a tag team with Ray Stevens, the Blond Bombers.
15.
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.
16.
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.
17.
In 1972, Patterson turned face again, after feuding with Lars Anderson, who was managed by Dr Ken Ramey.
18.
In 1975 and 1981, Patterson won the Cow Palace Battle Royal in San Francisco.
19.
In 1977, Patterson wrestled for Eddie Graham's Tampa, Florida-based Championship Wrestling from Florida promotion.
20.
In 1978, Patterson joined Verne Gagne's Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association.
21.
Pat Patterson reformed The Blond Bombers with Ray Stevens, with the duo winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship later that year.
22.
Pat Patterson held the Canadian International Tag Team Championship on five occasions between 1980 and 1983.
23.
In 1979, Patterson debuted in the World Wrestling Federation, working as a heel, under the tutelage of manager The Grand Wizard.
24.
The match ended in controversial fashion after Patterson placed his right leg on the ropes just before the three count was made.
25.
Pat Patterson took the spot of Mad Dog Vachon on the WWF skit show Le Brunch on WWF Superstars in Canada until late summer in 1987.
26.
Pat Patterson began working backstage as a road agent and right-hand man to WWF promoter Vince McMahon, and is credited with inventing and booking the Royal Rumble match.
27.
Pat Patterson was selected as the in-ring referee for the main event at the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden on March 31,1985, as well as the main event of WrestleMania XI.
28.
On June 12,2000, when the Faction unmasked Kane, Patterson photographed Kane's "hideously scarred" face, and threatened to "expose him to the world" if he did not comply.
29.
On June 19,2000, Patterson helped Brisco win the perpetually contested WWF Hardcore Championship from Crash Holly but during the victory celebration turned on his ally, blinding him with champagne and then breaking a second bottle over Brisco's head, and pinning the unconscious champion.
30.
Subsequently, Vince McMahon scheduled them to fight over the Hardcore Championship in an Evening Gown match at King of the Ring 2000; in the course of the match, Crash Holly attacked both men and pinned Patterson to become Hardcore Champion.
31.
At Breaking Point, Patterson made an appearance in his hometown of Montreal in an in-ring segment with Dolph Ziggler.
32.
Pat Patterson was working backstage as a WWE official from 2005 until his death in 2020.
33.
In December 1966, Patterson was served with a deportation notice, requiring him to leave the United States on or before January 10, possibly as an attempt to dupe Patterson into leaving with an expectation of an easy green card but with the intention of excluding him through psychological exam; however Patterson was fighting again in Arizona 4 days later.
34.
Pat Patterson legally changed his name to Pat Patterson in 2008.