Damn. I've been working on the Top 50 Wrestling Headlines of 2020 feature, which will be published later this month, and have been noting how many legends we've lost this year (Howard Finkel, Kamala, Road Warrior Animal, etc.). Pat Patterson would arguably be right at the very top of that list.
Not only was Patterson a legendary competitor who headlined in territories such as California and the WWWF (first Intercontinental Champion, for pete's sake), but he was also a massive presence behind the scenes of today's WWE. Think of how many top competitors he advised with their match layouts, including Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Rock and others.
Plus he invented the Royal Rumble - easily my favorite gimmick match of all time. People take it for granted now that it's been going on for 30+ years, but imagine the ingenuity in creating something that iconic!
I can only imagine the pain and loss the wrestling community is having right now, saying goodbye to such an influential and successful member of their fraternity. Rest in peace, Pat.