WWE Hall of Famer and the first ever Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson recently spoke with News Week to promote the release of his brand new book, “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE.” Here are the highlights.
On Roman Reigns’ suspension and if it will hurt his career:
No, I don’t think so. Everybody makes mistakes one time or another. We all do stupid things at one time or another. We have to be smart… when you’re young you don’t know anything. I think he’ll be alright.
On if he thought The Rock would be a huge star:
Not at all. I used to wrestle his father [Rocky Johnson], and his wife, Ata, was sitting at ringside with the baby—that was the Rock. He called me because he wanted to break into the business. He must have been 19, 20. I called Vince and said, “You want to see that kid.” After his first movie, he said, “Pat, you’re going to walk the red carpet with me at the premiere.” That made me feel good.
Patterson also talked about if he thinks Vince McMahon will ever retire and more. You can read the entire interview here.