“World’s Strongest Man” Ken Patera to Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame in July

Press Release – Ken Patera to attend Tragos/Thesz HOF weekend

WATERLOO, Iowa— “The world’s strongest man” Ken Patera will attend the 2016 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction weekend on July 21-23. This will be Patera’s first appearance at the Hall of Fame weekend.

Patera was a tremendous all around athlete from a family of athletes. Two of his brothers played in the NFL. He won a gold medal in the shot put at the Pan American Games in 1967. Patera was a member of the 1972 Olympic team in weightlifting before embarking on a career in the American Wrestling Association. Museum namesake Dan Gable won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics as well.

Ken Patera held the WWF Intercontinental title, the American Wrestling Association Tag Team Title, the NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight title, and numerous other titles in his career. He had notable feuds with Hulk Hogan, the Heenan Family, Greg Gagne, Jim Brunzell, and Andre The Giant. He was the voted the most hated man in wrestling by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1977 and 1981.

Tickets to the autograph signing on Saturday, July 23 are $30, which includes a $10 admission charge to the museum. Individual signers may charge. Tickets to the induction banquet are $60 and are on sale now.

Tickets to the autograph signing are available on and are limited to the first 200. A limited number of ringside seats to the Impact Pro Wrestling Show on Friday, July 22 are still available. Ringside seats are $25 and general admission is $15.

[ FYI: Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at dgmstaff@nwhof.org or call (319) 233-0745 to order your tickets. ]

2016 Hall of Fame induction class

George Tragos Award—Chael Sonnen
Lou Thesz Award—J.J. Dillon
Jim Melby Award—Dave Meltzer
Frank Gotch Award—Lex Luger
Living inductee—Bob Backlund
Living inductee—Iron Sheik
Posthumous inductee—Joe Blanchard

Pro Wrestling HOF induction schedule

The full schedule of events can be found on nwhof.org/waterloo.

2016 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Hall of Fame schedule

Thursday, July 21

5:30 p.m. – Reception at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for inductees and all-access pass holders. Includes food, beverage, and group museum tour led by Rob Schamberger. (All-access pass holders and distinguished guests only).

Friday, July 22

9 a.m. – National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum opens.

11:30 a.m. – Pro wrestling evaluation with Gerald Brisco, J.J. Dillon, and special guests at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Open to all-access pass holders or $15 ticket to enter.

2 p.m. – Live podcast at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Open to all-access pass holders and distinguished guests or $20 ticket to enter.

6 p.m. – Doors open to the Impact Pro Wrestling show at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

7 p.m. – Impact Pro Wrestling show starts at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Front row ticket included for all-access pass holders otherwise tickets are $25 for ringside and $15 for general admission (while available).

9:30 p.m. – After party at the Screaming Eagle located at 228 E 4th St. Free shuttle and private room for all-access pass holders and distinguished guests. Main room open to the public.

Saturday, July 23

9 a.m. – Special live edition of Takedown Radio with Scott Casber in the Dean Rockwell Library at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.

10 a.m. – Doors open at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for all-access pass holders.

10:30 a.m. – Open forum with Jim Melby Award winners Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter (2016), Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch (2015), and Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson of Slam! Wrestling (2008) with fan submitted questions. All-access pass holders only.

Noon – Doors open at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum to general public ($10 admission).

12:30 p.m. – Salute to the legacy of the Four Horsemen at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.

2 p.m. – Autograph signing with professional wrestling legends at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. All-access pass holders allowed to enter first or $20 autograph ticket required (individual signers will charge).

5 p.m. – Hall of Fame reception at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

6 p.m. – Induction banquet at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

7 p.m. – Induction ceremony at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center with Jim Ross as master of ceremonies. All-access pass includes banquet ticket or $60 per ticket.

Scheduled to appear

Brian Blair
Baron Von Raschke
Bill Murdock
Bob Backlund
Chael Sonnen
Charlie Thesz
Dan Gable
Dave Meltzer
George Schire
Gerald Brisco
Greg Oliver
Iron Sheik
Jason Sanderson
J.J. Dillon
Ken Patera
Larry Hennig
Magnum T.A.
Ricochet
Rob Schamberger
Stan Kowalski
Steve Johnson
Terry Funk
Tessa Blanchard
Tully Blanchard
Wade Keller
Wes Brisco
WWE Superstar Big E