WWE legend and Hall of Famer Pat Patterson has died, according to the wrestling company.
Patterson was 79.
Born Pierre Clermont, he was the first WWE Intercontinental Champion and thought to be the first openly gay wrestling star, which he detailed in his 2016 book, “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.”
Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996. After retiring as an active wrestler in 1984, he worked behind the scenes in WWE and was credited with originating the Royal Rumble, one of the company’s signature events.
Source: WWE’s Pat Patterson dies at 79 | TribLIVE.com
