PAGE OF FAME: Pat Patterson

Pat Patterson

At the beginning of his career

Pat Patterson
Real name: Pierre Clermont
From Montreal. Star wrestler, particularly in San Francisco, who later became one of the chief architects of the WWF.
Wrestled as "Pretty Boy" Patterson in the early 60s, and was described as "the pink trunk, lipstick wearing" wrestler by THE RING WRESTLING magazine.
A 5-time U.S. champion in San Francisco, where he also won the 1975 Cow Palace Battle Royal -- a major event through the 70s. Patterson came back in 1981 to win the final Cow Palace Battle Royal when promoter Roy Shire was closing down the promotion.

Patterson was a 3-time San Francisco NWA world tag champion with Rocky Johnson (1972-74) and half of one of the all-time great tag teams with partner Ray Stevens. Together they held the NWA world tag title (1965-67) and the AWA world tag title (1978-79) and reunited for a match in Montreal in 1983.
Didn't wrestle in Toronto until 1978. Made his final Maple Leaf Gardens appearance as a wrestler in 1984.
Recognized as the first WWF Intercontinental champion in 1979. Patterson's street fight brawl with Sgt. Slaughter in New York in April 1981 was widely acclaimed as one of the top five WWF matches of the 1980s.
Came back to Montreal the 1980s, wrestling for the Brito/Bravo promotion. Was also doing commentary for the WWF, and later hosted a Piper's Pit-like segment for the WWF French-language broadcasts. Wrestled a regular schedule until 1985.
Became one of Vince McMahon's top assistants after retiring from the ring. For years he was seen breaking up brawls as one of the WWF's suit brigade. Still works for the WWF. Was given a lot of air time in 1999, initially as one of McMahon's "stooges" with Gerald Brisco.
"Whether Pat Patterson is "pretty," whether he is a "killer" or whether he is some kind of nut is something mat fans will have to decide for themselves. Patterson admits that he is somewhat of an enigma. He sports dark glasses, carries a french poodle around with him and has even been known to accentuate the curve of his mouth with the application of an unathletic substance called lipstick. But Pat insists that he can't help it if he is beautiful and doesn't mind if other people think so too" (From an Austin, TX program, Oct. 3, 1963)
"Actually, outside of the wrestling ring, Pat is really timid and shy. He is soft-spoken, and believe me, his French accent is real cute. Surprisingly, Pat is a former altar boy and candidate for the priesthood. He is still a deeply religious man. Pat was 17 when he started wrestling in his native Montreal." (From WRESTLING REVIEW, May 1968)

Prominent Titles:

2-time NWA Pacific Northwest tag champion, 1964
10-time NWA World tag champion (San Francisco), 1965-77
NWA Southwest champion (Amarillo), 1968
NWA North American champion (Amarillo), 1968
5-time NWA U.S. champion (San Francisco), 1969-77
NWA Florida tag champion, with Ivan Koloff, 1977
AWA World tag champion, with Ray Stevens, 1978-79
NWA Americas champion (Los Angeles), 1979
WWF North American champion, 1979
WWF Intercontinental champion, 1979
4-time International tag champion (Montreal), 1982-83