Pat O'Connor

Published in Current WWE Inductees
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At present, the only man from New Zealand to ever become World Champion, Pat O’Connor was a wrestling machine who competed in technical masterpieces for decades.

An amateur star, Pat O’Connor transitioned with ease to the professional ranks and worked his way up the ladder to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1959, holding it for two years. O’Connor was not the most charismatic individual, but he was so fluid in the ring that thousands of fans paid to see him compete. Although he lost the World Strap in 1961, O’Connor would compete for twenty more years after putting on clinics across the United States.

As good as he was (and he was damn good) we wonder if this will ever be the type of wrestler that Vince would ever put into the Hall. If he ever did though, wouldn’t it have to be Lou Thesz first?

Should Pat OConnor be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76.9%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.7%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.7%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 7.7%

The Bullet Points

Other Aliases: None
Billed From: Auckland, New Zealand
Key Championships Held: NWA Chicago Tag Team w/Roy McClarty
NWA Toronto British Empire Heavyweight
NWA World Heavyweight
NWA (Central States) United States Heavyweight (3)
NWA Central States Heavyweight
NWA Central States Tag Team (4) 1w/Tiny Mills, 1w/Sonny Myers, 1w/Bob Geigel, 1w/Omar Atlas
AWA World Heavyweight
AWA World Tag Team w/Wilbur Snyder
WWA World Tag Team w/Wilbur Snyder
Why they will get in: Historically speaking, he was a very important part to the lineage of wrestling
Why they won't get in: It remains to be seen how old school, the WWE Hall of Fame wants to get.
Five Greatest Matches/Moments: 1. Becomes the NWA World Heavyweight Champion defeating Dick Hutton (1/19/59)
2. Successful NWA World Title Defense against Yukon Eric (7/29/60)
3. Loses the world title to Buddy Rogers at a large outdoor crowd at Comiskey Park in the “Match of the Century” (6/30/61)
4. Won the AWA Tag belts with Wilbur Snyder (11/10/67)
5. Became the Co-Owner of the Central States Territory (1960’s)