WWE have announced wrestling legend Thunderbolt Patterson as the next inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
As first reported by Andscape, the influential wrestler will be honored at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, April 5, 2024.
Real name Claude Patterson, he began his career in 1964. He was a hugely influential star during the 1960s and 1970s. He battled against racial discrimination during his time in the ring, due to his skin color. Patterson was originally blacklisted from the business in the 1970s. He tried to form a wrestler’s union, as well as participated in a racial discrimination lawsuit.
Thunderbolt was said to be a big inspiration of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes’ copied Patterson’s promo style, which was derived from Southern black pastors.
The American wrestler won the NWA National Tag Team Championships in 1984, before partner Ole Anderson abandoned him to join the Four Horsemen.
In 2019, Thunderbolt Patterson was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in his hometown of Waterloo.
He is now being honored by a WWE Hall of Fame induction, despite having little history with the company.
Thunderbolt Patterson Joins Some Huge Stars In The Class Of 2024
Thunderbolt Patterson may be a name unfamiliar to most wrestling fans, but he is in good company this year.
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame class is one of the strongest yet, with some huge names already announced.
Paul Heyman was the first person announced. He is being honored for his in WWE, ECW and WWE, both as a manager and behind the scenes.
Bull Nakano is the female inductee this year. She is joined by tag team “the U.S Express” in being inducted in April.
Boxing and sporting Icon Muhammad Ali is also on the list, with the late Olympic medalist being the celebrity inductee in this year’s ceremony.
