WWE legend Pat Patterson -- the man who created the "Royal Rumble" -- has died, the organization confirmed. He was 79.
"WWE extends its condolences to Patterson’s family and friends," the company said Wednesday in a statement.
Patterson -- who considered himself wrestling's "first gay superstar" -- was a key part of WWE for decades, widely known as Vince McMahon's right hand man.
He began wrestling in the 1950s -- and finally joined up with WWE in the late '70s, where he famously engaged in a series of awesome matches with Sgt. Slaughter.
Patterson later became a color commentator for WWE -- and continued to work in the ring and in the booth until he retired in 1984.