Pat Patterson Passes Away at Age 79

Wrestling legend Pat Patterson, real name Pierre Clermont, passed away earlier today at age 79.

The announcement was made by sports radio TSN690 Montreal’s Tony Marinaro on Twitter, who stated that Patterson had passed away at a Miami hospital following his battle with cancer. The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Patterson was hospitalized on November 27th due to developing a blood clot in his liver.

Patterson’s legendary career in wresting spanned six decades, first as an active wrestler from 1958 to 1984 and afterwards as Vince McMahon’s “right-hand man” backstage in WWF. Patterson’s notable career accolades and achievements included being the first ever WWF Intercontinental Champion and inductions into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996), WWE Hall of Fame (1996), and Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2006).

Patterson was also known for being the match referee in the main event of WWF WrestleMania I, the creator of the Royal Rumble match concept, one of Vince McMahon’s on-screen “stooge” characters with Gerald Brisco during the WWF Attitude Era, and his infamous involvement in the Montreal Screwjob incident in WWF in 1997.

WWE released an official statement on the passing of Patterson:

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