Pat Patterson (born Pierre Clermont; January 19, 1941 – December 2, 2020) was a Canadian-American professional wrestler and producer, widely known for his long tenure in the professional wrestling promotion WWE, first as a wrestler, then as a creative consultant and producer, or agent.

[4][5][6] He was described by journalist Dave Meltzer as "Vince McMahon's right-hand man" and "one of the chief architects of the WWE, playing an integral role in helping it become a global phenomenon".

[7] Patterson was born into an impoverished French-speaking family in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 19, 1941.

[9] In 1961, Patterson - despite speaking no English - immigrated to the United States to pursue his professional wrestling career.

[1][8] Patterson initially worked for Tony Santos's Big Time Wrestling promotion in Boston, Massachusetts.

[1][8] In 1962, Patterson was recruited by Mad Dog Vachon for Don Owen's Portland, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Wrestling promotion.

[10] In January 1965, Patterson was hired by Roy Shire for his San Francisco, California-based Big Time Wrestling promotion.

In 1972, Patterson turned face again, after feuding with Lars Anderson, who was managed by Dr. Ken Ramey.

[14][10] In 1978, Patterson joined Verne Gagne's Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association.

He reformed The Blond Bombers with Ray Stevens, with the duo winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship later that year.

[citation needed] Patterson made his professional return to Quebec in 1980, wrestling a number of bouts for the Montreal, Quebec-based Lutte Internationale promotion.

Patterson was crowned the company's first Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion after an alleged tournament held in Rio de Janeiro.

The match ended in controversial fashion after Patterson placed his right leg on the ropes just before the three count was made.

[8] Patterson began doing color commentary in 1980 with Vince McMahon, calling WWF Championship Wrestling from 1980 to 1984.

While Patterson was a face commentator when partnered with Gorilla Monsoon and Vince McMahon, he hosted a heel interview segment for French WWF broadcasts known as "Le Brunch de Pat", where he would politely ask questions in English but furtively mock his face guests in French.

[15] The following month, he teamed with Andre the Giant at a pair of house shows in Canada and defeated Ken Patera and Big John Studd.

[citation needed] He began working backstage as a road agent and right-hand man to WWF promoter Vince McMahon, and is credited with inventing and booking the Royal Rumble match.

[citation needed] In 1992, Patterson, along with Terry Garvin, were accused of sexual harassment of underage ring boys by former announcer Murray Hodgson, and former ring boy Tom Cole, who alleged that Patterson groped him and engaged in sexual harassment when he was 14.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon then forced Patterson and Brisco to compete for the WWF Tag Team Championship against The New Age Outlaws or be fired.

Afterwards, Patterson lowered his drawers to deliver a Stink Face to Rikishi with brown-stained underwear, which commentator Jim Ross described as a "tractor-sized skidmark".

[citation needed] On June 19, 2000, Patterson helped Brisco win the perpetually contested WWF Hardcore Championship from Crash Holly but during the victory celebration turned on his ally, blinding him with champagne and then breaking a second bottle over Brisco's head, and pinning the (kayfabe) unconscious champion.

[citation needed] Patterson was a regular cast member on the WWE Network original reality show Legends' House.

[citation needed] On July 22, 2019, during the Raw Reunion episode, Patterson won the WWE 24/7 Championship by pinning Drake Maverick backstage.

It was also Patterson's first title reign since June 19, 2000, with the similarly introduced WWF Hardcore Championship, which also used the "24/7 rule".

The documents also describe interviewees' suspicions that Louie Dondero was Patterson's romantic partner, as well as his agent, and that they had an open relationship.

[37] In August 2006, Patterson underwent emergency heart surgery to remove a cyst from his coronary artery.

[1] Patterson died of liver failure caused by a blood clot at a Miami, Florida, hospital on December 2, 2020.