See Dwayne Johnson's Heartfelt Tribute to His Pro Wrestling Mentor Pat Patterson Who Passed Away

When Pat Patterson passed away, the world of WWE lost a legend. But to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, he was so much more, as the wrestling actor shared in his heartfelt tribute.

Pat Patterson became part and parcel of the WWE since his career began in 1958. Making a difference in the lives of many, wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson shared what the late legend meant to him.

Following Patterson's death at the age of 79, Johnson became one of many to share their heartbreak, paying tribute to one of the most "brilliant" minds in the wrestling world.

THE STUFF OF LEGEND

From snagging the first-ever Intercontinental Championship title at the WWE in 1979 to being the creator of the Royal Rumble, Patterson became known for his pioneering ways both in and out of the ring.

When Patterson retired from the ring in 1984, his influence on the WWE continued, and he joined Vince McMahon as a color commentator. Having known Patterson for decades, McMahon penned a heartfelt tribute in the wake of his death and wrote:

THE ROCK OF ROCKS

Through his decades in the wrestling world, Patterson's mentorship not only changed careers but lives as well, like that of Dwayne Johnson, who shared what the late legend meant to him in a touching tribute.

"Pat Patterson, who was my pro wrestling mentor and father figure, has passed away," he shared. "A @wwe hall of famer, TRUE trailblazer and one of the most brilliantly creative wrestling minds the industry has ever known."

AN INDUSTRY IN MOURNING

Since Patterson's passing, a slew of people in the wrestling world reached out with messages of condolences and recounts of experiences they once had, memorializing his legacy.

The public wasn't even aware that the couple had gotten engaged.

Shane and Stephanie McMahon, Charles Robinson, Kayla Braxton, John Layfield, Sami Zyan, among others, all shared touching messages in Patterson's honor, as did another wrestler turned actor, John Cena, who wrote:

"Pat Patterson lived life as it should be lived with passion, love and purpose. He helped so many and always entertained with a story or joke. He will live on in my life always."

CENA'S SURPRISE

John Cena's message of commemoration came shortly after news broke that the actor and wrestler secretly tied the knot with his girlfriend, Shay Shariatzadeh, of less than two years.

The public wasn't even aware that the couple had gotten engaged, but the pair married on October 12, during a ceremony held in Tampa, Florida. Cena previously dated fellow wrestler Nikki Bella, but the pair split in July 2018.