WWE ‘first gay superstar’ Pat Patterson passes away at 79; The organization extends condolences to the family

pinkvilla.com:

WWE legend Pat Patterson, the man who created the Royal Rumble move, has died at the age of 79, the organization confirmed. "WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends," the company said Wednesday in a statement via TMZ.

Patterson, who considered himself wrestling's "first gay superstar," was a key part of WWE for decades, widely known as Vince McMahon's right-hand man.

He began wrestling in the 1950s and finally joined up with WWE in the late '70s, where he famously engaged in a series of awesome matches with Sgt.

Slaughter. Pat became the company's first Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in 1979. Patterson later became a colour commentator for WWE and continued to work in the ring and in the booth until he retired.