I did an extensive feature on Patera in 1974 for Grimek(I did all my writing for Hoffman's publications through John) & Strength & Health.
I had recently graduated from college, so I thought it'd be a good opportunity to go home to Minnesota (from Los Altos, CA), visit family, friends and interview
Ken Patera. I had somewhat of an "in" because I knew Verne Gagne (world
'rasslin champ & promoter). I called Verne and got permission (backstage pro
wrestling then was very, very hush, hush) to attend taping of the Saturday eve television matches. Gagne even had his secretary accompany me, probably more to watch over me to make sure I didn't get to cozy with the "biG" secrets behind the curtains. They were taped in the famous Foshey (spl.) tower. Besides, Ken that evening (early), his nemesis Superstar Billy Graham was grappling...what a loveable heel he was. I understand Superstar posts on Get Big. I read some of his stuff and died laughing. I'll have to drop by and say hi.
Anyway, later that night I attended the big match between him and Superstar.
They had this gig where they were going to arm-wrestle. The script of course
called for plot and story development. And they milked it for all they had, both
Ken and Superstar, who really upset the apple cart when he overturned the
arm-wrestling table and proceeded to try and slice and dice Ken with remnants
of the table legs, etc., etc. I forgot who won. I believe Superstar was disqualified. No, could this really happen? Yea, hardcore wrestling fans, I'm
afraid Superstar didn't play fair that night. But who really cared, the throng of
believers were entertained. After the matches, I waited for Superstar at the
elevators. Big guy, Nice guy. Got a few quickie quotes, talked, laughed a little.
He did say that he thought Patera was (in real life) probably the strongest guy he had ever met. It was colder than H that night. I remember Superstar getting in his big black luxury car and speeding away. He peeled out so fast
the exhaust had not caught up with him.
It was either the next day or it was the same day as the taped tv matches, I
spent time with Ken in his car driving, asking questions and trying to get to
know him so I could serve him best and the reading public. He was quite re-
served, actually, quite easy going, articulate, seemingly very well read. I tried
my best to capture the essence of the man while revealing as much as I could.
He had just gotten married or was about to (very pretty woman...), who had a
few children.
For a big man around 300 pounds, Ken's most striking feature was his muscular, shapely legs. I believe that's where most of his strength came from,
in terms of foundational/core power. He never went over (as they call it) as a
hero. I guess the weightlifting/strength/Olympics mantra wasn't enough. Even
though they lied about him getting a medal at the Olympics (Gagne, AWA,etc.),
it didn't seal his fate. But, Patera did go over much more as a heel, with his
bleached blond hair and "attitude".
One thing for sure, his pure power and weightlifting feats will forever be
remembered. His particular abilities come along very seldom. Ken Patera was
to Weightlifting what George Foreman was to boxing.