Accepted How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE

by Patterson, Pat; Hébert, Bertrand; McMahon, Vincent K.

• ISBN13: 9781770412934
• ISBN10: 177041293X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2016-08-09
• Publisher: ECW Press

Summary

“Pat is one of the greatest mentors I’ve ever had in the world of sports-entertainment.” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Find the never-before-seen official documentary on Pat Patterson titled “I Did It My Way: The Pat Patterson Story” on YouTube!

When Pat Patterson was 17 years old, he was asked to leave his home after telling his parents he was in love . . . with a man. Moving from Montreal to the United States in the 1960s, barely knowing a word of English, he was determined to succeed in the squared circle. Back when homophobia was widespread, Pat lived in the super-macho world of pro wrestling.

In this fascinating and revealing memoir of revolutionary talent, pioneer, and creative savant Patterson recalls the trials and tribulations of climbing to the upper ranks of sports-entertainment — as a performer and, later, as a backstage creative force.

Many in the WWE Universe know Pat Patterson as a ring legend, the prestigious first holder of WWE’s Intercontinental Championship, a WWE Hall of Famer, and one of Vince McMahon’s “stooges” during the Attitude Era. But Patterson is no stooge. He has long been one of Vince McMahon’s trusted advisors.

Author Biography

Pat Patterson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 and currently works as a creative consultant for WWE.

Bertrand Hébert is the co-author of Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs.

Vince McMahon is the Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of WWE. A third generation promoter, McMahon purchased the company from his father in 1982. Under his leadership, WWE has developed into one of the most popular and sophisticated forms of global entertainment today.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1 — Montréal
Chapter 2 — The Roar of the Paint and the Smell of the Crowd
Chapter 3 — Straight Out of Montréal
Chapter 4 — Boston, My Love
Chapter 5 — Portland and Everything In Between
Chapter 6 — Ready for My Close-Up
Chapter 7 — I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Chapter 8 — The Blond Bombers
Chapter 9 — Looking for Myself in Florida and Minneapolis
Chapter 10 — New York! New York!
Chapter 11 — Around the World . . . and Back!
Chapter 12 — What Does a Vice President Do, Anyway?
Chapter 13 — Goodbye, My Friend
Chapter 14 — WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble, and the Montréal Screw Job
Chapter 15 — From the Stooges to The Rock
Chapter 16 — Enjoying My Life, Enjoying the Fruits of My Labor?
Chapter 17 — Legends House