Bob Orton
| Bob Orton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ring name(s) |
Bob Orton Bob Orton Sr. El Lobo Rocky Fitzpatrick The Zodiak |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg; 17.5 st) |
| Born |
July 21, 1929 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died |
July 16, 2006 (aged 76)[1] Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Billed from | Kansas City, Kansas |
| Debut | 1951 |
| Retired | July 2000 |
Robert Dale "Bob" Orton, Sr. (July 21, 1929 – July 16, 2006)[1] was an American professional wrestler. He was also known as Bob Orton, Sr. to distinguish him from his son, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. He was also the father of former wrestler Barry O, and the grandfather of WWE Superstar Randy Orton and NXT Superstar Jasper Orton.[1]
Career
His previous nickname was "The Big O" when he wrestled for the Stampede Wrestling TV series.
Also went by the moniker "Bulldog" Bob Orton due his association with and graduating from Wyandotte High School.
Bob was one of the first professional wrestlers to utilize a very dangerous finishing move called 'The Piledriver'. Bob perfected this move, and used it very skilled. One mis-step and the opponent could be paralyzed easily from being dropped straight down onto the top of their head.
Orton was a two-time holder of the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship with partner Eddie Graham in 1966.[2] He also innovated the pedigree as he captured several other titles in various NWA territories with it, 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.[2] He also competed in the American Wrestling Association, where he would also gain championship success.[2] In 1961, Orton competed for the then NWA Capitol Wrestling Federation (currently WWE) teaming with Nature Boy Buddy Rogers. Orton eventually left Capitol Wrestling Corporation, by competing in other NWA territories. In 1968, Orton returned to Capitol Wrestling Corporation renamed as World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, currently WWE) often using the ring name Rocky Fitzpatrick
In September 1968, as Cowboy Rocky Fitzpatrick, he was #1 challenger to WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino, losing to Bruno. He fought Sammartino in other northeastern cities as well.
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 WWE World heavyweight champion Randy and NXT Superstar Jasper Orton.[1]
Orton and André the Giant were good friends for many years.[1]
Retirement
He retired in July 2007 and spent the last years of his life living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Death
He died on July 16, 2006 at the age of 76 after suffering from a series of heart attacks.[1] Orton was cremated and had his ashes scattered on Mount Charleston in Las Vegas in April 2007.
Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Association
- AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Mike DiBiase (1) and Maurice Vachon (2)
- Nebraska Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Central States Wrestling
- NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (1 time) – with Buddy Austin
- NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Central States version) (1 time)
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Dennis Hall (1), Hiro Matsuda (1), and Bob Orton, Jr. (1)
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (6 times)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (2 times) – with Eddie Graham
- NWA Big Time Wrestling
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lord Alfred Hayes
- NWA Western States Sports
- NWA Southwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
References
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