Pat Patterson, the First Openly Gay Wrestling Star, Has Sadly Passed Away at 79 - Celebs React

Pat Patterson, who was the first openly gay wrestling star, has sadly died at the age of 79.

WWE confirmed the sad news in the following statement: “WWE is saddened to learn that Pat Patterson has passed away at the age of 79. WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends.”

Pat began his wrestling career in the 1950s and joined WWE in the late 1970s. He later became an exec at WWE and pitched the idea for Royal Rumble in 1988.

Click inside to read how WWE celebs are reacting to the news…

Read how WWE celebs are reacting to the news below.

The Rock’s Statement

Rest in love, Pat. You’ll be missed 💔

Rough phone calls to get this morning to tell me, our dear family member, Pat Patterson who was my pro wrestling mentor and father figure has passed away.

A @wwe hall of famer, TRUE trailblazer and one of the most brilliantly creative wrestling minds the industry has ever known.

He was also responsible for calling Vince McMahon when I was training to become a pro wrestler (my $7 bucks days) and said, “Vince you gotta see this kid work in the ring”.

Vince flew me to RAW a few weeks later and I had my first match EVER in Corpus Christie, Texas.

The rest is history and years later, here I am writing this post.

* cue Sinatra’s MY WAY (Pat’s favorite to sing)

…I’ve lived a life that’s full,
I traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way…

Love you, Pat.

And THANK YOU.

I’ll see you down the road 🥃🖤

Vince McMahon’s Statement

“Pat Patterson was more than the first Intercontinental Champion & father of the Royal Rumble Match. He helped lay the foundation for WWE as we know it. His mentorship shaped careers, his creativity sparked innovation and his friendship lifted spirits. Love you, Pat. We miss you.”

Triple H’s Statement

“No words can describe what he gave to us. His body as an in-ring performer, his mind as a storyteller, and his spirit as a beloved member of our large WWE family. I will miss him for so many reasons … it’s never goodbye, it’s see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze.”

Stephanie McMahon’s Statement

“I’m deeply grateful to have grown up with WWE Hall of Famer, the first-ever Intercontinental Champion, the father of the #RoyalRumble and the first openly gay wrestler of his generation. Thank you for teaching me how to not take it all so seriously. Abooze.”