10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Dec 16)

10. Pat Patterson Despised The 'Stooge' Label During The Attitude Era

The first ever Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, Pat Patterson is also said to be the man who invented the long-running Royal Rumble match. As one of Vince McMahon's most-trusted lieutenants for many decades, Patterson found fame during the Attitude Era alongside another seasoned grappler.

Along with Gerald Brisco, Patterson was cast as one of McMahon's henchmen. Largely used for comedic purposes, Patterson and Brisco even dressed in drag for a Hardcore Title bout at the 2000 King Of The Ring pay-per-view. Looked upon fondly by longtime fans, it turns out that the character Pat played was also one he wasn't fond of.

Speaking to Sean Waltman for his 1, 2, 360 podcast, Brisco opened up to tell the host that Patterson didn't care for the 'stooge' persona at all. Winding up his longtime colleague, Brisco repeatedly told Pat that people would only remember him as a stooge, not as the first ever Intercontinental Champ.

Although Patterson performed the role with a smile on his face, it seems he didn't really enjoy being a McMahon stooge and worried about his reputation.