Pat Patterson, a WWE and WWF legend and the first openly gay pro-wrestling superstar, has died. He was 79.
Patterson, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 by Bret “Hitman” Hart, was the first-ever Intercontinental Champion. Later, Patterson created the popular Royal Rumble Match.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79,” the organization said in a statement. “WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.”
Patterson was a cast member on 2014 reality TV series “WWE Legends’ House.”
Patterson, born Pierre Clermont in 1941, published a memoir in 2016 titled “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.”