Thunderbolt Patterson facts for kids

Claude Patterson (born July 8, 1941) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name, Thunderbolt Patterson. He started his wrestling career in 1964. He wrestled mostly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In the early 1970s, he faced challenges in his career. This was because he spoke out against unfair treatment and tried to start a group to help wrestlers.

Thunderbolt Patterson's Wrestling Journey

Early Career and Championships

Claude Patterson grew up in Iowa. He began his professional wrestling journey in 1964 in the Kansas City area. In 1965, he moved to Texas to continue wrestling. The next year, he went to California. There, he won the WWA Tag Team Championship with his partner, Alberto Torres. He also wrestled in Texas as a "villain" character, which in wrestling means he played the bad guy.

In 1969, Thunderbolt wrestled for Big Time Wrestling in Michigan and Ohio. In 1970, he had a big rivalry with Jose Lothario. During this time, he won the Florida version of the NWA Brass Knuckles Championship.

Fighting for Wrestlers' Rights

Thunderbolt Patterson was known for speaking up. He talked about the tough working conditions for wrestlers in the 1970s. He also took part in a lawsuit about unfair treatment. He believed that because he spoke out, he was prevented from wrestling in some places. This is sometimes called being "blacklisted."

He had complained about unfairness from wrestling promoters for many years. He wanted to create a union for wrestlers. A union is a group that helps workers get better pay and conditions. He shared this dream with another wrestler, Jim Wilson. Patterson has said it took years for him to be able to wrestle freely again.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1984, Patterson teamed up with Ole Anderson. They briefly held the NWA National Tag Team Championship. Later, Ole Anderson joined with Arn Anderson and other wrestlers to form a famous group called the Four Horsemen.

Patterson stopped wrestling full-time in 1985. He made a special appearance in 1993 at an event called "Slamboree '93." He teamed up with Brad Armstrong and won their match. He also helped mentor a younger wrestler named Ice Train. Thunderbolt Patterson fully retired from wrestling in 1994.

Hall of Fame Honors

Thunderbolt Patterson has received important honors for his wrestling career. On July 27, 2019, he was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. This ceremony took place in his hometown of Waterloo.

In 2024, he received another major honor. On March 13, 2024, it was announced that Thunderbolt Patterson would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors in professional wrestling.

Thunderbolt Patterson's Life Outside the Ring

Community Work and Ministry

After his full-time wrestling career, Thunderbolt Patterson continued to be active. In 1988, he worked as an organizer for a labor union in Atlanta. This union helped people who worked in service jobs.

Patterson is also an ordained minister. This means he is a religious leader.

Featured in a Film

Thunderbolt Patterson is featured in a film called "This World Is Not My Own: The Limitless Life of Nellie Mae Rowe." This movie premiered in 2023. Nellie Mae Rowe was an artist who watched Thunderbolt wrestle on television in the 1970s. She drew pictures of him often. They never met in person. Patterson later learned about Rowe and her drawings. He said that Rowe "kept me alive," showing how much her art meant to him.

Championships and Awards

Thunderbolt Patterson won many championships and awards during his wrestling career:

• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Men's Wrestling Award (2021)
• Championship Wrestling from Florida
  • NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
  • NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Championship Wrestling from Georgia
  • NWA National Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ole Anderson
• Continental Wrestling Association
  • CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Lou Thesz Award (2019)
• Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Mr. Wrestling (1), Tommy Rich (1), and Tony Atlas (1)
  • NWA Georgia Television Championship (2 times)
• International Championship Wrestling
  • ICW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Maple Leaf Wrestling
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version) (1 time)
• Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jerry Brisco
• NWA Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA American Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Wahoo McDaniel (2) Toru Tanaka (1), and Johnny Valentine (1)
• NWA Tri-State
  • NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version) (1 time)
• Western States Sports
  • NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version) (4 times)
• World Wrestling Association
  • WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Alberto Torres
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Worst on Interviews (1985)
• WWE
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2024)