Pat Patterson, WWE Hall of Famer, creator of the Royal Rumble, and one of the profession's first gay superstars, has died. Patterson was 79 years old at the time of his passing.WWE personnel including Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon and Triple H posted heartfelt social media messages memorializing the wrestling legend, who was a WWE creative consultant and producer."#RIPPatPatterson I’m deeply grateful to have grown up with @WWE Hall of Famer, the first-ever Intercontinental Champion, the father of the #RoyalRumble and the first openly gay wrestler of his generation," WWE Chief Brand Office Stephanie McMahon tweeted. "Thank you for teaching me how to not take it all so seriously. Abooze" Shane McMahon tweeted, "I can not express how crushed I feel right now with the loss of Pat Patterson. A true member of my family, mentor and dear friend. I love you Pat.God speed."

Finally, Triple H, Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy and Development, tweeted, "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. I will miss him for so many reasons... it’s never goodbye, it’s see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze."

Patterson joined the WWE in 1979 and became the first-ever Intercontinental champion in September of the same year. He retired as an in-ring performer in 1984 and quickly joined the WWE color commentary team alongside Vince McMahon. Patterson and Gerald Brisco became a fixture of the WWE "Attitude Era" as the duo jokingly termed the "Stooges," who were lackeys of Vince McMahon. Bret Hart inducted Pat Patterson into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.

The WWE Hall of Famer had an autobiography written about him titled Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.

Source: WWE