Thunderbolt Patterson - Pro Wrestlers Database
WWE Hall of Fame: Individual

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Thunderbolt Patterson, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Claude Patterson was born in Waterloo, Iowa on July 8, 1941, and he is currently 84 years old.

Thunderbolt Patterson was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024.

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameClaude Patterson
  • Ring Names
    • Sweet Daddy Brown (October 12, 1994 - October 16, 1994)
    • Thunderbolt Patterson (April 5, 1967 - October 11, 1994)
    • Thunderbolt Peters (June 29, 1966 - April 4, 1967)
    • Thunderbolt Patterson (January 3, 1966 - November 24, 1966)
    • Claude Peters (June 25, 1966 - June 25, 1966)
    • Claude Patterson (October 10, 1964 - January 2, 1966)
  • Born July 8, 1941 (age 84)
  • NationalityNationality: United StatesUnited States
  • Birth PlaceWaterloo, Iowa
  • Billed From
    • Atlanta, Georgia
  • Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
  • Weight
    • 242 lbs (110 kg)
  • NicknamesT-Bolt

Career History

  • Roles

    • Part Time Wrestler (May 23, 1993 - October 16, 1994)
    • Wrestler (January 12, 1983 - August 7, 1985)
    • Wrestler (October 10, 1964 - January 7, 1980)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionWorld Championship WrestlingWCWMay 23, 1993May 23, 1993
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWANovember 18, 1984August 7, 1985
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPApril 6, 1985August 7, 1985
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAJanuary 22, 1985April 21, 1985
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAJanuary 25, 1975January 7, 1980
    PromotionGeorgia Championship WrestlingGCWFebruary 27, 1976January 7, 1980
    PromotionContinental Wrestling AssociationCWAMay 7, 1979May 28, 1979
    PromotionNWA Tri-StateNWA TRI STATESeptember 14, 1977April 1, 1978
    PromotionSoutheastern Championship WrestlingSECWNovember 11, 1977February 5, 1978
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFDecember 1, 1975April 3, 1976
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWADecember 4, 1964October 20, 1973
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW DETROITJune 30, 1973October 20, 1973
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFSeptember 19, 1972October 9, 1973
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPJuly 24, 1972August 31, 1973
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLAS, Gulf Athletic ClubGACJanuary 5, 1971December 22, 1972
    PromotionChampionship Wrestling from FloridaCWFJanuary 5, 1970December 22, 1970
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSJuly 29, 1970November 26, 1970
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCOctober 16, 1970November 20, 1970
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLAS, Gulf Athletic ClubGACJune 9, 1969December 19, 1969
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSJune 29, 1969December 4, 1969
    PromotionBig Time WrestlingBTW DETROITAugust 2, 1968August 9, 1969
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFMarch 6, 1969June 2, 1969
    PromotionNational Wrestling Alliance Hollywood WrestlingNWA HOLLYWOODSeptember 18, 1968December 6, 1968
    PromotionNWA Western States SportsWSSApril 5, 1967July 16, 1968
    PromotionWorld Championship WrestlingWCW AUSTRALIAMarch 15, 1968May 24, 1968
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AllianceAWA SFJune 25, 1966December 31, 1966
    PromotionWorldwide Wrestling AssociatesWWA HOLLYWOODFebruary 9, 1966August 24, 1966
    PromotionSouthwest SportsSWS TXNovember 30, 1965January 11, 1966
    PromotionHeart of America Sports AttractionsCSWDecember 4, 1964November 13, 1965
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAOctober 10, 1964October 30, 1965
  • Images History

    Nov 1984
    Nov 1984
    Jan 1983
    Jan 1983
    Jan 1975
    Jan 1975
    Mar 1969
    Mar 1969
    Jan 1966
    Jan 1966
    Oct 1964
    Oct 1964
  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    FaceMarch 3, 1985October 16, 1994
    TweenerFebruary 9, 1966March 2, 1985
    HeelOctober 10, 1964January 11, 1966
  • Finishers

    • Atomic Drop (October 10, 1964 - August 7, 1985)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • Championship Wrestling from Florida

    • 1 NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version)

    Continental Wrestling Association

    • 1 CWA World Heavyweight Championship

    Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 3 NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 with Mr. Wrestling I, 1 with Tommy Rich, 1 with Tony Atlas)
    • 2 NWA Georgia Television Championship
    • 1 NWA National Tag Team Championship (with Ole Anderson)

    International Championship Wrestling

    • 1 ICW United States Heavyweight Championship

    Maple Leaf Wrestling

    • 1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Toronto version)

    Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship (with Jerry Brisco)

    NWA Big Time Wrestling

    • 4 NWA American Tag Team Championship (2 with Wahoo McDaniel, 1 with Toru Tanaka, 1 with Johnny Valentine)

    NWA Tri-State

    • 1 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Tri-State version)

    Western States Sports

    • 1 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Amarillo version)

    World Wrestling Association

    • 1 WWA World Tag Team Championship (with Alberto Torres)
  • Other Accomplishments

    • George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Lou Thesz Award (2019)

Teams & Relations

  • Tag Teams & Stables

    • Ole Anderson & Thunderbolt Patterson - Ole Anderson (November 18, 1984 - March 3, 1985)
    • Soul Patrol - Ernie Ladd (April 30, 1974 - March 9, 1975)
    • Jerry Brisco & Thunderbolt Patterson - Gerald Brisco (July 27, 1972 - August 31, 1973)
  • Family

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