Pat Patterson, WWE Legend and First Gay Wrestling Superstar, Dead at 79.br The WWE shared news of his death on Dec. 2. .br Patterson joined the WWE in the late '70s br and became the first Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion in 1979.br After later working in the ring and becoming a color commentator for WWE, Patterson retired in 1984.br He then joined Vince McMahon as br a WWE executive and came up with br the idea for the Royal Rumble in 1988.br In 1996, he was inducted br into the WWE Hall of Fame.br Patterson came out as gay in 2014 on br an episode of 'WWE Legends' House.'.