Younger brother of former Seattle Seahawks coach, Jack Patera.
In 1971, Ken won four gold medals at the Pan American games.
In 1978, Ken challenged WWWF World Champion, Bob Backlund, on several live events.
Ken trained with Verne Gagne and made his pro wrestling debut in 1973.
Won PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year in 1977 and 1981.
A band called "The Swinging Neckbreakers" claim to have taken their
name from watching him wrestle when they were growing up.
Notable title wins include: Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight (2); Mid-Atlantic Tag Team titles with Big John Studd (John Minton); WWF Intercontinental title; Missouri Heavyweight title; Georgia Heavyweight title; Missouri Heavyweight title; AWA Tag Team titles with Jerry Blackwell; AWA Tag Team titles
with Brad Rheingans.
Patera went on to wrestle for the PWA and on independent cards
primarily in the Minnesota area well into the 1990s, sometimes even
promoting his own events.