Goodbye to Pat Patterson at the age of 79.
Patterson was one of the best wrestlers in the world in the 1960s and 70s, but he's remembered by most for the very end of his career when he had lost a step but was able to show that he was better than most even at the close of his time in the ring.
Patterson spent most of his prime in the San Francisco territory, both as a single and as half of the legendary "Blond Bombers" with Ray Stevens, who was ranked as the best tag team in the world for several years.
Patterson would hold the promotion's singles title on five occasions and the tag titles eleven different times with eight various partners with Stevens for most of the time frame.
Patterson would wrestle around the world, while still being based in San Francisco, and would have a huge drawing run with Stevens becoming a fan favorite against Patterson as the heel.
Patterson would reunite with Stevens in the AWA, but his 1979-80 run in the WWF is very well remembered with Patterson bringing in the promotion's first secondary title in the North American title, which was scrapped quickly when Vince McMahon Sr. discovered that Mid-South Wrestling used a North American title and was replaced with the Inter-Continental championship with Patterson as the first champion.
Patterson would lose the title to Ken Patera in April 1980, but before that Patterson was the first and only title challenger to receive four title chances against WWF champion Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden.
Patterson would turn before the Patera loss when he was attacked after being angry with his contract being sold to Captain Lou Albano, and Albano's tag team, the Samoans, attacking Patterson.
After losing the championship to Patera, Patterson transitioned into the color commentator role, which enabled him to stay in the fans' eye and occasionally step back into the ring when a heel would have a confrontation with Patterson.
Patterson would have these confrontations that would lead into programs at the house shows with Ivan Koloff, Angelo "King Kong" Mosca, and most notably Sgt. Slaughter.
Patterson's "Boot Camp" Match with Slaughter is recalled as a classic bloody brawl and would win the Match of the Year award for 1981 from the Wrestling Observer.
As the WWF expanded nationally, Patterson's role moved behind the scenes as he was heavily involved in the creative process, although he was the referee for the main event at the first Wrestlemania and was the color commentator during Hulk Hogan's title win over the Iron Sheik.
Goodbye to Danny Hodge at the age of 88.
The 1956 Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, Hodge was spoken of in reverent terms for his toughness and ability by almost all that knew him.
Hodge's defeat in the Olympics was attributed to a Soviet bloc official, who counted Hodge down when his shoulders brushed the mat while controlling his opponent and is noted for being one of the worst calls in Olympic wrestling history.
Hodge won three NCAA titles at the University of Oklahoma and is the only amateur wrestler to this day to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1957.
The top collegiate wrestler in the nation each year receives the Dan Hodge Trophy, wrestling's version of the Heisman.
Hodge also attempted his hand at professional boxing but finished at 7-2 and never reached contention in the light heavyweight division.
Hodge was the perennial NWA junior heavyweight champion working out of the Oklahoma territory as his home base and would hold that championship on eight occasions over a ten-year span.
Known for his grip, which he attributed to having double tendons in both hands, Hodge could crush apples in his hands and break pliers, which sounds like your typical pro wrestling hyperbole until you hear of respected people outside of the wrestling industry attest to this power.
Hodge's career ended early with another legendary feat of toughness in 1976.
Hodge fell asleep at the wheel and drove his vehicle into a creek, breaking his neck.
With Hodge holding his neck with one hand, he used the other hand to break a window, pull himself out and make his way to the surface- all while holding his broken neck in place.
It's one of those stories that sounds incredible and that's because it is!
I cannot imagine anyone pulling that stunt off successfully with the struggle and pain involved, but that was Danny Hodge- toughness personified.
That catches up with the two recent passings from pro wrestling.
The inbox is beginning to dwindle, but I plan on a Cavalier post with why I haven't written much about their west coast swing and the Devils finally return tonight after the team's battle with Covid-19.
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