Published By: Vivek Ganapathy
Last Updated: March 14, 2024, 17:12 IST
United States of America (USA)
Thunderbolt Patterson. (X)
Patterson has been an inspiration for a lot of superstars over time. During his illustrious profession, Patterson raised his voice towards racial discrimination that allegedly endured within the trade within the Nineteen Seventies.
WWE is ready to carry out a brand new checklist of Hall of Famers subsequent month. Only a number of weeks are left for the official announcement and a few names have been shared by a number of sources, as per media experiences. One of these inductees is Claude Patterson, popularly referred to as Thunderbolt Patterson, who emerged in skilled wrestling within the late Nineteen Seventies and went on to rule the circuit for almost 20 years.
Patterson has been an inspiration for a lot of superstars over time. Wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes is recognised as an ideal admirer of Patterson, who was additionally well-liked for his participating speech aside from in-ring actions.
Thunderbolt Patterson kicked off his profession in wrestling in 1985 with a match towards Don Soto which befell in Florida. Patterson shifted his base to Texas within the following yr and began working with Dory Funk Sr. He started to hit headlines when Patterson signed a contract with Big Time Wrestling in 1969. Only a yr later, he went on to clinch the NWA Brass Knuckles Champions as a part of the promotional firm.
In 1975, Thunderbolt Patterson switched to the Detroit-based Big Time Wrestling earlier than returning to Florida later that yr. He stayed with the NWA promotion until 1976 and through this era, Patterson claimed the coveted NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship by defeating earlier title-holder Bruiser Brody.
Thunderbolt Patterson put the title on the road towards The Sheik in Toronto and managed to retain it through pinfall. Next yr, Patterson started his profession with Georgia Championship Wrestling and remained related to the promotion until 1980. He teamed up with Ole Anderson in 1984 and secured the NWA National Tag Team Championship.
Thunderbolt Patterson introduced his retirement from skilled wrestling in 1985. Later in 1993. Patterson featured in a Legends Reunion Match on the Slamboree’93. He paired up with Brad Armstrong and triumphed over the duo of Ivan Koloff and Baron Von Raschke in a tag-group battle.
During his illustrious profession, Thunderbolt Patterson raised his voice towards racial discrimination that allegedly endured within the trade within the Nineteen Seventies. Following his retirement, Patterson had his legs and arms amputated owing to diabetic problems. Besides Patterson, Muhammad Ali can be set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this yr. The official announcement will be made on the annual ceremony, scheduled for April 5.