Pat Patterson dies: John Cena and stars pay tribute to WWE legend

WWE superstars lead tributes to wrestling legend Pat Patterson on Wednesday morning following the news of his death at the age of 79.

The iconic star was the first gay performer in the industry and was known for mentoring a host of up-and-coming wrestlers through the years.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson paid respects to ‘our dear family member’ with a heartfelt post dedicated to the ‘TRUE trailblazer.’

A cause of death has yet to be publicly released, but Rodger Brulotte, a former baseball announcer in Patterson’s native Montreal, told local sports radio host Tony Marinaro that he died in a Miami hospital on Wednesday and had cancer prior to his death.

‘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,’ he wrote. ‘A 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.”

The Rock recalled being flown out to Texas for his first ever match, and the rest, as he said, ‘is history.’

‘The greatest champion of all of our hearts. One of my biggest believers,’ Nikki Bella wrote on Instagram. ‘He gave me confidence, he made me believe in me and he made me laugh like no other. Pat understood me from the moment we met and his friendship will be one I will always cherish and keep so close and dear to my heart.

‘We will miss your contagious laugh, your beautiful voice and that gorgeous smile! You were a one of a kind. Truly unforgettable. We love you Pat! Forever and always!’

John Cena, who notoriously shares photos without captions on his Instagram account, simply shared a photo of Pat being interviewed by a young Vince McMahon.  

Triple H, who used to fight in the ring and now serves as Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development for the company, shared a somber post.

‘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,’ he wrote. ‘I will miss him for so many reasons… it’s never goodbye, it’s see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze.’

Ric Flair recalled the last time the pair had spoken, with Pat singing praises of Flair’s daughter, wrestling pro Charlotte.

‘A Great Wrestler, He And Ray Were Second To None, A Fabulous Mind, Caring And Thoughtful, Always Had A Smile On His Face,’ he wrote. ‘Just To List A Few Of Many! The Last Thing I Can Remember Him Saying To Me Is “She Is So Damn Good Ricky, Are You Sure She Is Your Daughter?” RIP Pat!’ 

Stephanie McMahon took to Twitter and paid her respects through the hashtag #RIPPatPatterson.

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

Born Pierre Clermont in 1941, Patterson went on to many accomplishments both in the ring, as a wrestler, and out of it, as a WWE executive.

The circuit formerly known as the WWF crowned Patterson as its first Intercontinental Champion in 1979.

He retired from the ring in 1984, and was credited with conceiving the Royal Rumble, a battle royal featuring many of the circuit’s biggest names fighting simultaneously. 

Although there were rumors about Patterson’s sexuality for years, he never openly discussed the subject until 2014, when he tearfully acknowledged that he was gay during a reality television show, WWE Legends’ House.

‘Sitting here tonight, I’m going to say something I would never want to say,’ Patterson said, as quoted by UPI.com. ‘For once in my life I’m going to be me. I survived all this being gay.’