Wrestling World Mourns Loss of WWE Legend Pat Patterson

Tributes for Pat Patterson poured in from multiple generations to WWE stars after his death on Wednesday.

Courtesy of WWE

Wrestling pioneer Pat Patterson died Wednesday at the age of 79. In addition to a storied career in the ring, Patterson spent decades working behind the scenes for WWE and as a result impacted the lives of multiple generations of superstars.

Patterson was a trusted advisor for performers, always willing to dish out the wisdom he accumulated in six decades in the business, and apparently the life of the party, too. Many former WWE stars who mourned his loss on social media fondly remembered Patterson’s legendary karaoke parties. 

After news of Patterson’s passing broke on Wednesday morning, tributes poured in from many of those whose lives he touched. 

Few could speak the art of our industry into existence. Pat spoke to me, taught me so much, and helped me see what was really possible to achieve in my career. God bless you, Pat.
Rest In Peace. https://t.co/wfyiwbrkCA

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) December 2, 2020

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Pat Patterson. My thoughts and prayers go out to Pat’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of working along side Pat in 1989. A class act, Best finish man in the Business. He will be missed. 💔

— Tony Schiavone (@tonyschiavone24) December 2, 2020

A Great Wrestler, He And Ray Were Second To None, A Fabulous Mind, Caring And Thoughtful, Always Had A Smile On His Face. Just To List A Few Of Many! The Last Thing I Can Remember Him Saying To Me Is “She Is So Damn Good Ricky, Are You Sure She Is Your Daughter?” RIP Pat! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KHzabO7v7G

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) December 2, 2020

I’m truly saddened to hear the passing of Pat Patterson. Always helpful, willing to offer advise, funny and kind to me. A legendary career. x

— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) December 2, 2020

Pat Patterson always sat in or near gorilla and not only watched the shows, but made sure to compliment us on our way back ❤️. But I’ll always remember Pat most for coming to Xmas karaoke in NXT to sing the same song every year! Always the main event. He will be missed.

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) December 2, 2020

Saddened to learn of Pat Patterson’s passing this morning. Pat was a true visionary when it came to the psychology behind pro wrestling. He also evolved with an open mind as times & styles changed. I always looked forward to Pat’s karaoke gatherings after Montreal.

RIP Gimmick

— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) December 2, 2020

Karaoke Night with Pat Patterson in Belgium will forever be a highlight of mine. #RIPPatPatterson

— Miro (@ToBeMiro) December 2, 2020

Thinking of Pat’s family and friends today ❤️ the impact he had on this industry is astounding. our interactions were brief but always left me with a smile on my face. And a fleeting thought of what in the world just happened. Il save some candy for you 🍬 🍬

Rest easy, Pat. pic.twitter.com/AENXr2rFue

— Nicola Glencross (@WWENikkiCross) December 2, 2020

Pat Patterson knew @WWE was his home away from home, a place where he felt completely accepted and truly loved. Someone like Pat made all the difference because he wasn’t afraid to be himself and he made no apologies for it. Pat did it his way. Rest in power, Pat♥️ pic.twitter.com/3hRYmaCb5W

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) December 2, 2020

A major loss for the @WWE family today. Pat worked alongside my family for years and was always invested in my success.
Brilliant mind for the business and always ready to make a joke ... at your expense!
Rest In Peace, Pat. God bless.

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) December 2, 2020

No words can describe what he gave to us. His body as an in-ring performer, his mind as a storyteller, and his spirit as a beloved member of our large @WWE family. I will miss him for so many reasons... it’s never goodbye, it’s see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze

— Triple H (@TripleH) December 2, 2020

This was a extremely hard hit today Pat Patterson is truly a special person. I enjoyed so many wonderful conversations with him throughout my time here. From talking @wwe to playing golf & some horrible jokes in between. This man is one I along with so many others will truly miss

— Corbin (@BaronCorbinWWE) December 2, 2020

No one had more passion for our business or went out of their way to help new talent, myself included, like Pat. Today we lost a legend. You’ll be sorely missed my friend. https://t.co/buOuM62Tkj

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) December 2, 2020

Gutted to hear about Pat Paterson’s passing, but I have many great memories to hold on to forever! From dinners, to kareoke, to long conversations about life, to wrestling advice, the list goes on. Thanks for everything Pat #RIPPatPatterson

— Santino Marella (@milanmiracle) December 2, 2020

Loss is incredibly difficult. Those we love are only truly gone if we stop caring. Pat Patterson lived life as it should be lived with passion, love and purpose. He helped so many and always entertained with a story or joke. He will live on in my life always. Love you Patrick.

— John Cena (@JohnCena) December 2, 2020

Saddened to hear this. Pat helped me and hundreds of other up & coming wrestlers as we tried to figure the business out. A brilliant mind & a tremendous loss to this industry. Thank you Pat. https://t.co/qOv2cCOcjW

— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) December 2, 2020

Loved @wwe Hall of Famer Pat Patterson as a great friend and a mentor. The incredible times we had traveling the world, watching him sing karaoke, telling stories, talking golf are something I’ll treasure forever. Love you Pat, RIP legend. pic.twitter.com/xk3y08J24H

— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) December 2, 2020

Very saddened to hear about the passing of one of my best friends..Pat Patterson. He had an infectious personality where you always wanted to be around him. This photo of Pat, @ShawnMichaels and me was from Wrestlemania 21. Pat helped us create an incredible Story. #RIPHOFer pic.twitter.com/APHVs7hRoi

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) December 2, 2020

Patterson only wrestled for WWE for a short period, from 1979 until his retirement in 1984, but he became a fixture in a variety of on-screen and behind-the-scenes roles after his in-ring career ended. He worked backstage as a match booker and became a trusted advisor to Vince McMahon. Perhaps his biggest contribution to WWE in that time was inventing the now-iconic Royal Rumble match. 

Patterson described the process of convincing McMahon of the idea in his 2016 memoir. 

The difference between WWE’s Royal Rumble and a traditional over-the-top rope battle royal is that the participants come into the match at two-minute intervals — not all at the same time at the beginning of the match. I wanted to create something special, something just like we had in San Francisco where it had been such a hot event.

The more I kept running the idea over in my mind, the more it took shape and I was sure I was on to something. I felt it: every instinct in my body told me it would work. So I finally brought the idea to Vince. He laughed at the concept at first, saying that an hour was way too long to keep fans interested.

I didn’t get upset; I knew sometimes he needed time for ideas to sink in. But I made sure to say, “All right, but keep it in mind, will you? Because I know this can work.”

Quietly, Patterson was also a trailblazer for members of the LGBTQ community in wrestling. Patterson’s homosexuality was an open secret in the industry since his days in the San Francisco-based Big Time Wrestling in the 1960s and was widely known during his time in WWE, though he did not come out publicly until 2014.