A former WWE star and Olympic weightlifter is recovering after reportedly suffering a broken neck following a recent accident at the gym.
The wrestler in question is former WWE Intercontinental Champion Ken Patera, whose friend shared the news in a Facebook group on Monday, asking fans to keep the wrestling legend in their thoughts and prayers. The message was later shared by Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers, a booking and talent management organisation that works with wrestlers and wrestling legends.
The post stated:
“I wanted to pass along the news that my friend Ken Patera recently had a fall at the gym that resulted in his C1 being broken. Ken had a back surgery 2.5 years ago and had been making great progress on his health, having returned to the gym and dropping a significant amount of weight. Send some thoughts and prayers to my buddy, please.”
No further update has been provided on Patera’s condition, and it remains unclear exactly when the fall occurred. Patera is in his 80s.
Ken Patera’s WWE & Wider Wrestling Career
Patera enjoyed a successful career across several major promotions, including the AWA, WWE and in Japan. Among his accomplishments, he became the second-ever WWE Intercontinental Champion and competed in the main event of the inaugural Survivor Series, teaming with Hulk Hogan, Bam Bam Bigelow, Paul Orndorff and Don Muraco.
Before entering professional wrestling, Patera represented the United States in weightlifting at the 1972 Olympic Games and earned recognition as one of the top strongman competitors of his era.
