Bob Orton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about Bob Orton, Sr. For his son who is also known as "Cowboy" Bob Orton, see Bob Orton, Jr.
Robert Orton Sr. | |
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Statistics | |
Ring name(s) | Bob Orton Sr The Zodiak, Rocky Fitzpatrick, El Lobo |
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
Born | July 21, 1929 Kansas City, Kansas |
Died | July 16, 2006 Las Vegas, Nevada |
Billed from | Kansas City, Kansas |
Debut | 1951 |
Retired | July 2000 |
Robert Dale Orton Sr. (July 21, 1929 – July 16, 2006) was an American professional wrestler. He was also known as Bob Orton, Sr. or simply Bob Orton. He was the father of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and former wrestler Barry O, and the grandfather of current WWE wrestler Randy Orton.
[edit] Career
His previous nickname was "The Big O" when he wrestled for the Stampede Wrestling TV series.
Orton was a two-time holder of the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship with partner Eddie Graham in 1966. He also captured several other titles in various NWA territories, including the NWA Southern Heavyweight title and the Florida Tag Team title (with Bob Jr.) in Florida Championship Wrestling and the NWA United States Heavyweight title in Central States Wrestling. He also competed in the American Wrestling Association, where he would also gain championship success.
[edit] Personal life
Orton married Rita on January 22, 1950. Together they had three children, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Barry O, and Rhonda. Orton was also grandfather to current World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Randy Orton.
Orton and André the Giant, were good friends for many years.
He retired in July 2000 and spent the last years of his life living in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he died on July 16, 2006 from a series of heart attacks. Orton was cremated and his family will be spreading his ashes on Mount Charleston when the annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion is occurring in Las Vegas in 2007.
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
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- AWA International Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times) (First)
- AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Mike DiBiase (1) and Maurice Vachon (2)
- Nebraska Heavyweight Championship (1 time) (Last)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- National
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- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Buddy Austin
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version) (1 time)
- Regional
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- NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship (6 times)
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Dennis Hall (1), Hiro Matsuda (1), and Bob Orton, Jr. (1)
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Southwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (2 times) - with Eddie Graham