Bios
Ken Patera
Nickname: Olympic Strongman; Former Olympian; The World's Strongest Human Being
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 275 lbs
From: Portland, OR
Birthday: Nov 6th
Pro Debut: December 1972
Feds Worked For: AWA, SoCW, TSW, NWA, WWF, WWWF, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), All State Wrestling (NE), Badger State Pro Wrestling (WI), Big Bear Promotions (Canada), Catch Wrestling Association (Belgium/Germany), Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Continental Wrestling Association (AL/TN), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Gulf Athletic Club (TX), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Enterprise (Japan), Juggalo Championship Wrestling, M & M Promotions (NM/TX), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Mid-Pacific Promotions (HI), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), Northern States Wrestling Alliance (MI), NWA Big Time Wrestling (CA), NWA Big Time Wrestling (TX), Packerland Pro Wrestling (WI), Pro Wrestling America (MN), Southeast Championship Wrestling (AL/TN), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Tony's Championship Wrestling (Canada), Trans World Wrestling Federation (CT/MD/NJ/PA), Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (PA), Universal Wrestling Federation (CA/FL/ND/NV/NY/SC), Windy City Wrestling (IL)
Finisher: Swinging Full Nelson
Signature Moves: Bearhug, Elbow Drop
Career Highlights: -AWA World Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Jerry Blackwell and Brad Rheingans)
-CWA International Champion (2x)
-NWA American Champion
-NWA American Tag Team Champion (w/ Tex McKenzie)
-NWA Georgia Champion
-NWA Mid-Atlantic Champion (2x)
-NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion (w/ John Studd)
-NWA Missouri Champion (2x)
-PWA Tag Team Champion (w/ Baron Von Raschke)
-SECW Champion
-SoCW Brasss Knuckles Champion
-TSW Brass Knuckles Champion
-TSW United States Tag Team Champion (w/ Karl Kox)
-WWF Intercontinental Champion
Affiliates: Tex McKenzie, John Studd, Baron Von Raschke, Karl Kox, Jerry Blackwell, Brad Rheingans, Adnan Al-Kaissie, Mr. Saito, Bobby Heenan, Lou Albano, The Grand Wizard, Bobby Duncum, Billy Jack Haynes, Rufus R. Jones, Adrian Adonis, André the Giant, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Buddy Rose, Hercules, Afi, Jesse Ventura, Harley Race, King Kong Bundy, Mr. Perfect, Paul Orndorff, Ric Flair, Rick Rude, Haku, Tama, The Barbarian, The Brooklyn Brawler, The Missing Link, The Red Rooster, Angelo Poffo, Blackjack Lanza, Blackjack Mulligan, Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens
Notable Feuds: Dusty Rhodes, Wahoo McDaniel, Tony Atlas, Bob Backlund, Tommy Rich, Jack Brisco, André the Giant, Jim Brunzell, Greg Gagne, Baron Von Raschke, Dino Bravo, Ivan Putski, Hulk Hogan, Billy Graham, Blackjack Mulligan, Greg Gagne, Jay Strongbow, Dick Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jerry Blackwell, Mad Dog Vachon, Bolo Mongol/Masked Superstar/Ax, Smash, Hercules Hernández, Tito Santana, Adnan Al-Kaissey, Rick Martel, Rene Goulet, Pat Patterson, Gene Anderson, Ole Anderson, Lars Anderson, Tony Garea, S. D. Jones, Junkyard Dog, Ricky Steamboat, Ray Stevens, Jimmy Snuka, Billy Robinson, Paul Orndorff, Boris Malenko, Bobby Heenan, Rufus R. Jones, Peter Maivia, Nick Bockwinkel, Paul Jones. Buddy Wolff, Ivan Koloff, Brad Rheingans, Blackjack Lanza, Otto Wanz, The Spoiler, Johnny Valentine, Pedro Morales, Antonio Inoki
Other Facts: -Father of pro wrestler Heather Patera (AKA Miss Natural), who he trained for pro wrestling
-Brother of former Seattle Seahawks football coach Jack Patera and former NFL player Dennis Patera
-Was a world class power lifter
-Was the first American to lift over 500 pounds in both the military press and clean and jerk.
-Won four gold medals at the 1971 Pan-American Games in Cali, Columbia
-Represented the United States in power lifting at the 1972 Olympics
-Trained for pro wrestling by Verne Gagne at the AWA Training Camp
-Appeared in the movie "The Wrestler" in 1974, playing himself
-Participated in several World's Strongest Man contests that are still occasionally aired on ESPN
-Held the Intercontinental and Missouri titles simultaneously, making him the first person to hold a WWF and NWA Title at the same time.
-On April 7, 1984 Patera and Mr. Saito are arrested in Wisconsin following an incident where they threw a boulder through the window of a McDonald's that was closed and refused to serve the wrestlers food. When police came to the hotel where the wrestlers were staying, Patera and Saito fought with the cops before being taken in.
-Owned and operated the World All-Star Wrestling Alliance along with Adnan Al-Kaissie
-Currently works as a traveling salesman
-Former member of The Heenan family (both AWA and WWF versions)
-Former member of the First Family
-Voted Most Hated Wrestling by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1977 and 1981
-Won Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Match of the Year (vs. Bob Backlund) in 1980
-Ranked # 98 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Ranked # 284 in the 1992 PWI 500
-Ranked # 281 in the 1993 PWI 500
-Ranked # 333 in the 1994 PWI 500
-Ranked # 377 in the 1995 PWI 500
-Was a panelist on the "Tales from the Territories" episode entitled "AWA: Bodyslams in the Heartland" with Greg Gagne, Madusa, Dallas Page, and Jim Brunzell in 2022
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1982 Killer Khan became the MSW Louisiana Champion
- 2013 Sam Stackhouse def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
- 2024 Tim Rockwell def. Thrash for the WFC Heavyweight Title
Week of Sun 07-05 to Sat: 07-11
- 07-05 1982 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. King Kong Bundy & Bugsy McGraw for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 07-05 1985 King Parsons def. Chris Adams for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 07-05 2008 Jesus Rodriguez def. Romero Contreras for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 07-05 2008 The Mexican Combo Platter (Anthony Jackson & Romero Contreras) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 07-05 2008 Sage def. Xavior for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 07-05 2008 Michael Faith def. Shane Rawls for the 3DW Heavyweight Title
- 07-05 2008 High Society (Eric Rose & Thomas Trump) def. 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) for the 3DW Dual Kombat Title
- 07-05 2008 Dane Griffin def. Kunna Keyoh for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Dane Griffin def. Kunna Keyoh for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Dane Griffin def. Kunna Keyoh for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Seth Allen def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Cody Jones def. Seth Allen for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Cody Jones def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. Cody Jones for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Cody Jones def. Kunna Keyoh for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Fuel def. Cody Jones for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Montego Sheik-ah def. Fuel for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Masked Renegade Kowboy def. Montego Sheik-ah for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Cody Jones def. Masked Renegade Kowboy for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. Cody Jones for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Montego Sheik-ah def. Kunna Keyoh for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. Montego Sheik-ah for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 07-05 2026 Vincent Cross def. Jacob Edwards for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
- 07-06 1982 Killer Khan became the MSW Louisiana Champion
- 07-06 2013 Sam Stackhouse def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
- 07-06 2024 Tim Rockwell def. Thrash for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 07-07 1985 Tim Brooks & Mark Lewin & One Man Gang def. Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Titles
- 07-07 2018 Space Age (Paul Puertorico & Aeronaut & Elijah Sparks & Super Mojo & Gemini [2nd]) def. Thrash & Jerry Storm (substituting for Will Luminati) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 07-07 2023 Punk Synister became the MajCW Flawless Champion
- 07-07 2023 Logan Knight def. Nashoba for the MajCW Heavyweight Title
- 07-08 1968 Fritz Von Erich def. Chris Markoff for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 07-08 1972 Johnny Valentine def. Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 07-08 1977 Bruiser Brody def. John Studd for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 07-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Michael Hayes def. King Parsons, Buddy Roberts, & Kamala (substituting for Terry Gordy) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Titles
- 07-08 2017 Resistance (Skyler Fayden & Wesley Crane) def. Lone Star, Inc. (Trey Cole & Cody Burns) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 07-08 2017 Mr. Nasty became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 07-08 2022 Edge Stone def. Exodus Prime for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 07-09 1961 Tony Martin def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 07-09 1975 Danny Hodge & Jay Clayton def. Stan Hansen & Frank Goodish for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 07-09 1979 Angelo Mosca def. Mike Sharpe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
- 07-09 2023 The Shining/Iron Mountain (Duke Swellington & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinty (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 07-10 1985 Dutch Mantell def. The Snowman for the MSW Television Title
- 07-10 2009 Michael Barry def. Blake Albright for the MWA Heavyweight Title
- 07-10 2010 Ryan Reed def. Michael H for the 412PE Heavyweight Title
- 07-10 2010 Jesse Williams def. Danger Dean for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 07-10 2010 The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) def. Josh Evans & Buddha for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 07-10 2010 Kidd Riggs def. Gene Valdez for the XMW Universal Title
- 07-10 2021 Tommy Dean became the UWE Apex Champion
- 07-11 1981 Ed Wiskoski & Mike George def. Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
- 07-11 1983 Chris Adams def. The Mongol for the WCCW Television Title
- 07-11 1987 Steve Williams def. Bubba Rogers for the UWF Heavyweight Title
- 07-11 2015 The Rising (Riker & Abel & Dimitri Alexandrov) def. The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 07-11 2020 Alex Royal def. Derek James for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 07-11 2020 Elijah Sparks def. Warren Powers for the BPW 365 Title
- 07-11 2020 El Greengo Loco def. Elijah Sparks for the BPW 365 Title
- 07-11 2020 Karnage def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Title
- 07-11 2020 Warren Powers def. Karnage for the BPW 365 Title
- 07-11 2021 Tim Rockwell def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 07-11 2021 Mr. Nasty def. Johnny Kove for the ASP 5-Star Title
- 07-11 2021 Luke Savage def. Tim Rockwell for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 07-11 2021 Johnny Kove def. Mr. Nasty for the ASP 5-Star Title
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Oklafan Quiz
Robert Gibson has a brother named Rick that was also a pro wrestler.