Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE
By Pat Patterson, Bertrand Hebert, Vince McMahon (Foreword)
ECW Press, 2016
Hardcover, Ebook
Pat Patterson is a true legend in the world of professional wrestling. Widely considered to be one of the best creative minds in the industry's history, Patterson was also one of the top in-ring performers in the territorial era. A successful singles and tag wrestler (most notably with Ray Stevens) Patterson truly made his mark after joining the WWF/E as a wrestler -- he was he first WWF Intercontinental Champion - and later as a key player behind the scenes. Accepted is Patterson's first book, it is co-written by Bertrand Hebert (Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs) and features a foreword by Vince McMahon.
Accepted was one of 2016's most anticipated releases. Patterson, often referred to as Vince McMahon's second in command during a very dynamic period in wrestling history, is in a very unique position to relate stories about the era. He is also seen as one of the best
minds with regards to professional wrestling booking and psychology in recent history and is a great resource concerning overall wrestling philosophy, story telling and execution. Patterson is also a homosexual man in an industry that, perhaps unjustly, is often seen as one that is populated with and followed by individuals who are not likely to be welcoming and/or supportive to members of the LGBT community. Patterson's story is also one of a non-English speaking, working class immigrant of limited means who surpassed even his wildest dreams in a very unique industry that has featured infinitely more failures than successes. If the story had been told through any of these perspectives, it would have made for a very good book. Unfortunately, Patterson, his co-writer and/or his editors have opted to tell the story from all four perspectives. While on this does make for an entertaining and very good book, the overall result is one that only moderately scratches the surface of a number of topics that could / should have been examined further. This may be less of a criticism of the author than it is of certain readers' expectations. Patterson, though, may have done himself a disservice by releasing such a short book - the hardcover edition is a mere 272 pages - compared to many others in the industry who have released much larger works and/or multi volume anthologies despite much shorter and/or less influential tenures in the industry.
minds with regards to professional wrestling booking and psychology in recent history and is a great resource concerning overall wrestling philosophy, story telling and execution. Patterson is also a homosexual man in an industry that, perhaps unjustly, is often seen as one that is populated with and followed by individuals who are not likely to be welcoming and/or supportive to members of the LGBT community. Patterson's story is also one of a non-English speaking, working class immigrant of limited means who surpassed even his wildest dreams in a very unique industry that has featured infinitely more failures than successes. If the story had been told through any of these perspectives, it would have made for a very good book. Unfortunately, Patterson, his co-writer and/or his editors have opted to tell the story from all four perspectives. While on this does make for an entertaining and very good book, the overall result is one that only moderately scratches the surface of a number of topics that could / should have been examined further. This may be less of a criticism of the author than it is of certain readers' expectations. Patterson, though, may have done himself a disservice by releasing such a short book - the hardcover edition is a mere 272 pages - compared to many others in the industry who have released much larger works and/or multi volume anthologies despite much shorter and/or less influential tenures in the industry.
Patterson comes across as very likeable and is a very good story teller. Most notable are his reflections of his time in a tag team with Ray Stevens who is regarded as both one of the best all-time in ring greats and a true character away from the ring. He is also exceptional when detailing his relationship with his long-time partner Louis Dondero. Patterson writes about Dondero, who passed away in 1999, with an obvious degree of emotion, however, he does not delve so far into sentimentality that the book suffers.
All things considered this is a very good book that should be sought out by most wrestling fans who are looking for a good read. While the book may fall short of the potential of a book - or books - by someone with Patterson's skills and tenure, it is should be on most readers' to read lists.
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