Ken Patera

[Grimmas]

Discuss here.

[Dylan Waco]

One day I need to go through the Cornette garbage tapes and any other available 70's MACW and see if I cant get a better feel for Patera. I still think his 1980 was a brilliant year all things considered, but especially given the limited utility of many of his opponents. The glimpses we have from St. Louis show some really good performances, and while I think Blackwell was clearly the better worker in their team, generally speaking I like The Sheiks as workers more than most. At this point he can't get on, because as great as he was in 80 it's not enough meat to get him over the hump. But there may be some revelations in 70's footage that could change my mind.

[JerryvonKramer]

Since I've ruled out Backlund making my 100 (which I may come to reconsider thinking about the number of good matches he has), I don't really see Patera making it.

 

However, for those who haven't seen it, a great performance by both guys is:

 

Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera (5/19/80)

 

This is the Texas Death Match. Reviewed on Titans #14, and I think it ended up as our match of the year for 1980. He also has a pretty good match with Pat Patterson for the IC title a few weeks before that.

 

Ken did not come out of the AWA 80s Project with any matches that I rated A- or above. Highest was:

 

B+

Crusher Blackwell & Ken Patera vs. High Flyers (11/24/83)

 

I don't think Patera was ever a super worker, but he's certainly a lot better than his rep among some fans would suggest. A guy who was severely hurt by having his nadir coincide with being on millions of TV screens.

[Jimmy Redman]

Patera is a guy of whom I wish there was more readily available footage of his peak. He's another guy that gave me this immediate impression of "why did nobody tell me this guy was good??" when I started watching older stuff. I love the Backlund match and the Sheiks team, so I just wish there was more out there of him.

[JerryvonKramer]

Pretty sure he has a late 70s NY run on tape.

 

My main criticism of Patera is that he goes to the long bear hug too often. Hate that spot.

 

Note: Backlund will likely make my 100 and do well.

[elliott]

Patera is another person that is trending up for me. Everyone knows his 1980 is awesome but his 1977 WWWF run is spectacular. The matches with Bruno especially are awesome. Great singles wrestler, great tag wrestler. Among the best stooging strong men style wrestlers. Better than you'd expect later in his career. There's a spectacular match with Andre in 1985 but even as late as 1987 & 88 he's good. Great wrestler worthy of consideration.