Patterson recalls the trials and tribulations of climbing to the upper ranks of sports-entertainment - as a performer and, later, as a backstage creative force.Īs for the WWE Universe, many know Patterson as a ring legend, the prestigious first holder of WWE’s Intercontinental Championship, a WWE Hall of Famer, and one of Vince McMahon’s “stooges” during the Attitude Era.ĭwayne The Rock Johnson: “Pat is one of the greatest mentors I've ever had in the world of sports-entertainment. Some persecuted and humiliated him for his sexual orientation, but he persevered. His challenge was more than working a match, capturing the crowd. Back when homophobia was widespread, Patterson lived in this super-macho world of pro wrestling. Moving from Montreal to the United States in the 1960s and barely knowing a word of English, he was determined to succeed in the squared circle. It was the late 1950s - a different time, a different era.
On a more personal level, when Patterson was 17-years-old, he was asked to leave his home by his father after telling his parents he was in love.
