1972 Olympic power lifter. Gold medalist in the 1971 Pan American games in the same sport. First place finisher in three straight US National Weightlifting Championships and four wins overall. Third place finish in the 1977 World's Strongest Man competition. Ken Patera's accomplishments in the power lifting community is unquestionable, as are his professional wrestling accomplishments. A former Intercontinental champion, Patera waged war with the likes of Pat Patterson and Bob Backlund during his days with WWE and established himself as a fairly good strongman. Never anyone's choice for best wrestler, Patera worked well with wrestlers better than him, as evidenced by his Texas Death match against Bob Backlund in 1980, which was named the Match of the Year by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. As it turned out, Patera had a temper, a temper that saw him throw a rock through a McDonald's window when denied service and assault police officers. That led to Patera serving two years in prison. When he returned to WWE, he did so as a reformed citizen, a babyface competitor with an inspirational story. Unfortunately, any talent he had between the ropes was gone, leaving Patera a shell of his former self. He was gone from the company, and national relevancy, by 1988.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
