Louie did as much as I did to change opinions, if not more. He was an amazing person — and a man who could also drive me crazy. He was always the person who would take care of friends when they were in trouble. He was loyal. He would have given his shirt — his life — for a friend.
Teaching Superstars of today like Dolph Ziggler is very rewarding.
Today in WWE, I’m the wise man in the corner of the dressing room who can speak his mind with everybody and anybody. The fact that I was beside Vince all those years says a lot about my role in WWE. Yet, I don’t want my life to be about how many championships I won or how many WrestleManias I helped put together. That’s Pat Patterson the wrestler. The man who used to be Pierre Clermont always had his feet grounded in reality. When I was not at work, I was not living in the make-believe world of wrestling.
I’ve had a hell of a life, and I must say before I go how much I liked most of the wrestlers who were in the business with me. We were all in it for the same reasons — they loved the business exactly as I did. Unless you have been in the ring, you can’t really understand our bond. For me, it was like a big family, a real family. Some were the shits, some were good, some were great, and some were closer to me than others, but in the end we were all family.
My love for this business is a fire that still burns inside of me today. When you love this business, you try to get along with everybody, and that’s when you can go out there every night and perform. I loved the business, but the business never took over my life. It was difficult enough just being me. I never wanted to be branded as “just a wrestler” or “just a gay man.”
I live in Montréal for most of the year now. There is a little café downstairs from my condominium. I usually get there around 7 a.m. and ask the owner to make me my first coffee of the day and start my tab. While he fixes that for me, I take the broom and I clean the sidewalk, so the patio is ready for his customers to arrive. Sometimes I spend the majority of the day sitting there eating, reading, enjoying the sun, and making small talk. At least once a day, I make a member of the WWE Universe very happy as they recognize me and ask for a picture. A lot of the early work on this book took place at this café. I love Montréal in the summer. There are patios everywhere, and you can walk around and stop in three different restaurants in one evening. There are festivals and shows all the time. I love my city.
When I return from Florida after the winter, I like to stop by this little church. I spend ten or fifteen minutes in there — I sit and think about the future and my past, about my life. I don’t know why, but it gives me hope. Churches in other cities are beautiful, but I don’t react to them the same way. That small church in my hometown has always seemed to be there for everyone who needs it.
If I was starting all over again today, I don’t know what I would have become. I would have had other options, I think. Maybe singing. Maybe stand-up. But all I know for sure is that I wouldn’t be doing what everybody else is doing. Still, I would like to think that if a young Pierre Clermont was to show up at NXT in Orlando for a tryout today, he’d be offered a contract. Because there is no show business quite like WWE.
I was a wrestler, yes, but I didn’t do that because I liked sports. I did it because it filled a void and allowed me to perform in front of an audience. Today what we do in the ring is arguably as much of an art form as any of the theater you can see on Broadway or any movie you can watch on the big screen. What we do is tell stories, and we do that differently than all other forms of entertainment while borrowing from all of them at the same time. What really sets us apart from the rest is that our audience is part of the performance. What they say and do influences what the match becomes on any given night, and it also influences what might happen six months from now. I really feel we deserve more respect for what we create each week and the joy that it brings to so many.
In French, we have a fantastic song that’s been sung by many artists, including Céline Dion. It’s called the “Blues du Businessman.” There’s a line in the song that summarizes both my childhood and who I still am today: “J’aurais voulu être un artiste.” There’s no perfect translation that really carries the emotion of what that single phrase means to me. The closest I can get is “I wish I would have been an artist.”
I was lucky to find wrestling. Because of it, I became an artist. A real one.
I really don’t have much of an ego — I’m here to help people fulfill their dreams now. Within the wrestling world, I think people know that. I’ve loved the business so much that I’ve never wanted to expose it. Even today, at a time when you can turn on the computer and read just about everything that goes on behind the curtain, I still want to keep some of the magic alive in wrestling. It just doesn’t feel right to me to reveal some of the mysteries, so forgive me if you’ve felt like I was not telling you everything.
I have not written this book for money or glory; I’ve written it because I want to share who I am and what I went through with as many people as possible.
Those words to “My Way” that have prefaced each chapter ring so true to me. They’re real to me when I sing them. And that’s how you make a performance memorable; you discover the way the words resonate with your life.
When I was Pierre Clermont, I didn’t know who I was.
Pierre Clermont is the kind of guy who would have worked all of his life in a factory.
Pat Patterson was a wrestler, a go-getter who loved doing what he loved.
I was lucky enough to be involved in this business and especially that I was able to help so many other wrestlers along the way. Not all of them appreciated my help at first, but they all ended up learning from what I was trying to teach them. I consider that a win.
The future for today’s Superstars is bright. And I truly believe our business can only get better. To everyone who says the business will die one day: you’re wrong.
When fans say I’m a legend it makes me feel good, but I’ve learned you need to remain humble. And if I was as bad as some people have said I was, I would not have been a part of WWE for as long as I was. I have made peace with it all. I love being around today’s talent; I love the atmosphere at a show and the life of a dressing room.
The roar of the paint and the smell of the crowd . . . That’s what we all miss the most after we retire.
PHOTOS
Hard to believe I was ever that young and handsome. Singing is something that came back into my life and has filled a void.
First communion was a big thing in my native Québec. I liked church and was even an altar boy.
Little drummer boy . . . I don’t know if that could have worked in wrestling, but back then I would do anything to perform for an audience.
My first job at a wrestling show: hot dog vendor. Fortunately, I was a much better wrestler than vendor.
Mad Dog Vachon visiting my mother around Christmas time. Maurice was the man who got me my big break in wrestling.
Killer Kowalski was my hero. He later became my partner and, more importantly, my friend.
My brothers Richard, Normand, me, André, and Michel. My sisters Lise, Claudette, Mom Simone, Dad Gérard, Annette, and Suzanne.
“Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers left quite the impression on my younger self. It was quite humbling to work with him later on.
Traveling the world was a benefit of my job. Visiting Japan was great, though I could not have lived there as some of my contemporaries did.
Me with the love of my life, Louie, looking great, even if that look would not fly today.
About to golf with Louie and my good friend Nick Bockwinkel, who was instrumental in making sure we had a great reputation in the business.
André the Giant having fun with Louie for his birthday. As usual, I’m laughing and having a good time.
The Alley Fight against Sgt. Slaughter in 1981 might be the match I will be most remembered for.
Photo courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Ray Stevens was the best partner a wrestler could have. He was also the best friend one could have to share all these great adventures in this crazy world.
Photo courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
I had more than one hold in my arsenal. For a while I used the Figure Four Leg-Lock.
Photo courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Back in San Francisco for WrestleMania in 2015, I could not have been more emotional. In some ways, my heart will always be there.
Coaching Kevin Owens and other current WWE Superstars is something I’m grateful for because I can do for them what others did for me when I was coming up.
Having a blast one last time with my mentor Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon at the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
When I came back to Montreal in the 1980s, I became “le Rêve du Québec,” or the Dream of Québec. People still hate that character today.
Photo courtesy of Linda Boucher.
I can’t believe at my age I still need to do photo shoots for wrestling. I have been doing this for over 58 years!
Working with the NXT talent is what I enjoy doing the most today. I see the same dream in their eyes as I had back in the day.
Through the years it was with great pride I stood byVince McMahon’s side.
Humble beginnings doing commentary with Vince. No one could have guessed we would be flying in a private jet one day . . . except for Vince.
Today Vince and I still share a laugh together when we are working.
For a long time, it was my job to make sure that Hulk Hogan knew we had his back as a company, and he brought this business more notoriety than anyone else.
I sometimes can’t believe The Rock is the same person as the kid who would sit with me in the dressing room while his dad was in the ring.
Bret Hart was a special talent and we have a bond from sharing the same passion for the business. I’m glad I played a little part in him making peace with the company.
Shawn Michaels and I go way back. Here we are playing around for the camera in an elevator. I’m glad that we can share laughs like this today.
Moving was part of the deal. Louie was always ready to go even if that meant moving to the other side of the country.
Jack Lanza, Al DeRusha, Nick Bockwinkel, Bobby Heenan, Louie, me, “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr., and Lord Alfred Hayes on the road and having fun in the AWA.
I got conned into being part of Legends’ House, but in the end it was a great experience where I was able to finally come out of the proverbial closet.
About to enjoy a great NXT show with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and the late great “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
May 4, 2015, Pat Patterson Appreciation Night at the Bell Center in Montréal. I could not have been happier singing in front of so many people. I am always looking for the next audience to perform for.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Pat Patterson
I can’t believe I was finally able to finish this book! I was sure I would die before it came out! There are so many people I want to thank for their help in my life and with this project.
I would like to thank Bertrand Hébert for putting up with me during the process. « Hébert, je te l’avais dit qu’on finirait par l’avoir ce « mausus » de livre là. »
Once again thank you to Vince and Linda McMahon for believing in me during all those years. Thank you to Paul and Stephanie; as long as you need me I will be there. I would feel horrible if I forgot to thank Shane, even though we don’t see as much of each other as we used to, you are family as well.
Kevin Dunn, my friend, thank you for everything you did for me and this project.
Here are a few more people from WWE who were an integral part of this project at one point or another: I would like to thank Steven Pantaleo, Michael Mansury, and Will Staeger and everyone else who made this book a reality.
Sue DeRosa-Cundari, a special thank you for your help on this book, and also for all the years we worked together — I could not have done it without you.
Thank you to Michael Holmes and the whole team at ECW Press for believing in my story.
Everyone in my family and everyone from Louie’s side of the family, I love you all very much and I thank you all for supporting Louie and me through the years.
To Bruno Lauer, who wanted to know if he was in the book, now you are!
On a more serious note, a special thank you to my friends Bobby Cartago, Dorothy Hopkins, Bruce Prichard, Sylvain Grenier, and Chris Chambers.
When I think back on my life, I think of the many people who put me on a path to greatness: Sylvio Samson, Mad Dog Vachon, Killer Kowalksi, Buddy Rogers, Leo Voss, the Funk family, Mike Clancy, Danny Hodge, Pepper Martin, Roy Shire, Shag Thomas, Lou Thesz, Pat O’Connor, and Red Bastien. They all made it happen for me.
There were those who there with me for the ride: Ray Stevens, Mike Lebell, Jim Barnett, Nick Bockwinkel, Greg Gagne, Pedro Morales, Pepper Gomez, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Bobby Heenan, Lord Alfred Hayes, Jay Strongbow. Jack Lanza, Tony Garea, Gorilla Monsoon, André the Giant, Arnold Skaaland, René Goulet, the Brisco Brothers, Ric Flair, and Dusty Rhodes. You made this the adventure of a lifetime.
Finally, there were those I was able to help and influence after my career in the ring was over: Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, The Rock, Warrior, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, John Cena, Chris Jericho, and Dolph Ziggler. Hopefully, in the years I have left, there will be many more so I can continue to share what I learned during my journey.
All of them played a part on who I was and who I became and who I will be. Thank you my friends. If I forgot anyone, I’m sorry. I’m no spring chicken anymore but it doesn’t take away from your contribution to my life. Unless I left you out on purpose, then you know who you are.
This book would not be complete without a final thank you to the man who made me happy for forty years. Louie, I miss you every day and I hope you are proud of me.
Bertrand Hébert
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” These words seemed to apply to me at various times during the process of writing this book; but one thing is for sure: this book was the best of times. I can’t believe how lucky I was to spend so much time with such a monument of the wrestling business. I have learned so much, I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did putting it together. Thank you my friend Pat Patterson for believing I was your guy to finally bring your story to life. I will never forget.
Thanks to my children Zakary, Elayna, and Jean-Krystophe for understanding how important this was to me. I love you. To the rest of the family — my parents, Gérald and Françoise, my brother François (isn’t that amazing I’m doing this?), Josihanne Daoust and Mylaine Lemire — thanks for the support.
Kevin Dunn, Steven Pantaleo, Michael Mansury, Sue DeRosa-Cundari, and Will Staeger and everyone at WWE. Thank you for making a boyhood dream come true. I hope I didn’t let you down as I put my heart and soul into this project.
Micheal Holmes and ECW Press, you gave me my first break, I’m so glad we could do this together.
Sylvain Grenier and Marc Blondin, thank you for putting Pat Patterson and me on the same path, and for everything else.
Thank you to those who helped me by their research or by giving me an interview: Les Thatcher, Bill Apter, Tom Burke, Greg Oliver, Linda and Elise Boucher, Mick Foley, Gerry Brisco, and Dave Meltzer.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to my friends François Poirier, Pat Laprade, Yan O’cain, Brian Shields, Rick Martel, Raymond and Joanne Rougeau for their support and help at different stages of this project.
If I have learned anything while writing this book it is that it’s not over, it’s only the beginning of another adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
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 and the upcoming Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon biography.
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Is Wrestling Fixed? I Didn’t Know It Was Broken! The anticipated memoir from a sports entertainment fandom legend
As a kid growing up in New York in the late ’50s, Bill Apter fell in love with professional wrestling, and it wasn’t long before he was rubbing shoulders with the greats as a young reporter and photographer. He’s since become the world’s best-known wrestling magazine personality, and he’s had professional and personal relationships with a who’s-who of the business, like Triple H, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Sting, and Ric Flair.
In his fun-loving memoir, Bill Apter takes us from the dressing rooms of the Bruno Sammartino era and the last days of the territories, to the birth of WrestleMania, the emergence of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the “Attitude Era,” to today’s WWE Superstars like John Cena, Daniel Bryan, and Roman Reigns. He also shares stories of his days photographing boxing stars like Muhammad Ali and other champions, and he documents his appearances on the WWE Network and his work as editor of 1wrestling.com.
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