I debated even dedicating a post to this, but a completist will complete.
Craig DeGeorge and Johnny V host this very low key one-hour tape.
The Ken Patera Story is that he was one of the best wrestlers in the world in the late 70s and early 80s (my opinion), finding success in the WWF, Mid-Atlantic, and the AWA. In April 1984, he was working for the AWA when he and Masa Saito were arrested after they were denied service at a McDonald’s in Wisconsin and threw a rock through the window. A few months later, he returned to the WWF where he joined the Heenan Family in their battle against Andre the Giant.
Patera worked a full-time schedule through June 1985, when he and Saito were sentenced to two months in prison. Incredibly, after his time was served the WWF immediately began promoting Patera’s return with a series of “The Ken Patera Story” vignettes designed to frame his story as one of redemption, a man wronged by society and abandoned by Bobby Heenan.
He came back feuding with the Heenan Family, but wasn’t the same wrestler and seemed out of place in the now more colorful WWF. After the events of this tape he was pretty quickly de-emphasized. By the end of 1987 he was teaming with Billy Jack Haynes, by the end of 1988 he was gone from the WWF.
1. WWF Intercontinental Title: Ken Patera vs. Pat Patterson [c] (MSG 4/21/80)
This is just the last couple minutes, but it’s immediately apparent that Patera is moving at another level from not just himself in 1987 but most wrestlers in most eras. MSG is into everything, not just popping for moves but ROARING. The referee gets bumped, Patera drops a solid knee drop from the top, and in the referee’s confusion he doesn’t notice that Patterson’s foot is on the ropes. Patera gets 3 and becomes the second ever IC Champion.
2. Ken Patera vs. Ronnie Dee (TNT 5/24/85)
Patera and Heenan killing it on the TNT couch leads into this, a tremendous squash match where stuff like a vertical suplex looks GREAT. Patera refuses to take a 3-count multiple times while some of Canada’s early smart marks pop for all of it, before an awesome spinning full nelson finishes Dee off. Might be one of the only must-see things on this tape. **
The Ken Patera Story: From Prison to Redemption
The WWF has always been weird about real-life INCIDENTS, ranging from a Toast to Jeff Hardy to full crisis management. In 1987, they were completely OK not just bringing Ken Patera back from his stint in jail but making television about it. The full Kenny Patera story aired over a few weeks on Superstars, three vignettes with Mean Gene Okerlund playing True Crimes guy with a trenchcoat and voiceover.
The first portrays him as an Olympic Hero before The Brain corrupted him and he could not resist the money, accolades, or adulation. It closes with a jail door closing on Patera and dramatic BOOM sound effect.
The second runs through it ALL: According to reports, Ken Patera was denied service. Told that the restaurant was closed for the night. It is alleged that Ken Patera… and a co-defendant … through a rock through the restaurant window, resulting in a call to the police. The police arrived at Ken Patera’s motel, and a melee ensued between a number of local police, Ken Patera, and a co-defendant. Patera was arrested and charged with a felony. He want to trial, and was found guilty. In these days of rapists, kidnappers, and murderers… plea bargaining for a fraction of their sentences or even getting off scot-free, Patera was sentenced to two years in prison. There were many that felt that a first time offender, a man who represented his country in international competition, should not have received such a harsh sentence. Who’s to blame? The judicial system, society, or does Ken Patera bare the full brunt on his own wide shoulders?” Cut to Patera in a cell accepting full responsibility for his actions. It is NOT riveting stuff.
Ken Patera/Bobby Heenan Debate (Superstars 5/2/87)
Ken Patera’s return to WWF TV was a debate with Bobby Heenan, podiums and all. It’s a weird angle as they bleep everything Heenan says, though they close it strong: Heenan tries to attack Patera with a belt, but Patera wraps it around his neck and whips Heenan across the ring, causing Heenan’s neck to snap back. Amazing bump that appears safe but looks so nasty.
3. Ken Patera vs. Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan and King Harley Race (Superstars 5/16/87)
This is Patera’s in-ring return, a match I believe they had to re-tape which probably didn’t bode well for the future. He and Hercules, a decent worker getting bigger and more immobile by the day, trade some moves in front of a lively crowd before Harley Race runs in for the DQ. Billy Jack Haynes runs in for the save, and the lack of excitement is cross-generational. *
4. Ken Patera vs. Jimmy Jack Funk (Superstars 6/6/87)
This is definitely not the Ronnie Dee squash. Patera wins with the dreaded bearhug. DUD
5. Ken Patera vs. Frankie Lane (Superstars 6/27/87)
This is another 1987 Ken Patera squash, one introduced with Craig DeGeorge just straight-up shitting on Frankie Lane saying you might not think he belongs here but there’s a reason they put this on the tape. Indeed there is, as the fast-growing Heenan Family (Hercules, Harley Race, King Kong Bundy, and Paul Orndorff) runs out and whips Patera with a belt as the crowd chants for Hogan. Decent at most angle.
The Snake Pit w/ The Heenan Family (Superstars 5/23/87)
This is a 90-second Bobby Heenan promo on Ken Patera. It’s fine, but I’m not sure it was necessary.
6. Ken Patera vs. Honky Tonk Man w/ Jimmy Hart (MSG 5/18/87)
Honky Tonk Man’s 1987 run was something else, getting SO MUCH out of not much at all. This is quiet example of it, right before the IC Title win with Honky Tonk cowering and scrambling around before he’s a total jackass while working holds. It isn’t very good, but the midcard at MSG rarely was – they did the task and provided some good solid babyface/heel work. **1/2
7. Ken Patera & Hulk Hogan vs. Harley Race & Hercules w/ Bobby Heenan (Philadelphia Spectrum 6/20/87)
The most notable thing about this is Ken Patera’s red bell-bottoms. Otherwise, it’s a pretty unremarkable 10-minute Hogan & Friends main event. Hulk takes a few minutes of heat, two of which are a bearhug, before Patera hot tags in and Heenan eats shit en route to a double clothesline and 1-2-3. **1/2
Happy Thoughts: Only for the most curious among us, an extended overview of an average storyline that is more promotional vehicle than overview of a career. 2/10
