Bob Orton Sr. dead at 76 (MidEast Break for Grand Sports Entertainer)

SLAM Sports ^ | July 17, 2006 | Steven Johnson

[NewRomeTacitus]

Who knew Ed Asner used to mix it up as an athlete? This man had one h@ll of a life and the rare satisfaction of seeing his progeny achieve great success in the path he helped cut out for them.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Lawgvr1955]

The article sure brings back the names of some favorites from my youth. I remember seeing Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. when he was 'rasslin' in one horse towns.

[CounterCounterCulture]

WWE has a good video presentation on the Orton family that once aired on their Confidential show.

As always, if you'd like ON or OFF my wrasslin' ping list, let me know

[Captainpaintball]

Nice article. Although his grandson is going to get a mega beatdown from none other than Hulk Hogan at Summer Slam, brother! Whatcha gonna do, Randy "AWOL" Orton? When the Hulkster's 24-inch pythons go running wild...on YOU?

[NewRomeTacitus]

I should have edited his continual swearing. On the other hand if folks get to get old after taking a continuous beating I think they have a little license to deviate from the norm.

Having seen him and many of his mentioned contempories work back in the day I agree that many of the modern "stars" wouldn't survive long if guys like him were on their bad side. Much of the disorganization in the days of regionals was due to guys holding grudges - pretty much done away with in this era of total "sports entertainment" where "shoots" mean you're unhirable anywhere except Japan.

[prisoner6]

This is the Cowboy Bob Orton I remember when the WWF was The Hot. IIRC he was teamed up with Rowdy Roddy Piper.

Them was da dayz...sigh.

prisoner6

[Thinkin' Gal]

Orton??

[JoeSixPack1]

RIP Bob Orton Sr. You done good.

[JoeSixPack1]

That's Junior.

[Sir Gawain]

Too bad WWE is boring as hell these days. T-N-A! T-N-A!

[NewRomeTacitus]

In the Piper's Pit segments Roddy used to say "I loves my bodyguard" and no one applied any homosexual connotation to it. Just illustrating the difference of society then from now.

Bob Jr. was a notorious heel in that time, claiming that his arm was broken in order to use a cast as a weapon for, ummm, almost two years straight. Someone should have told him about the miracle of milk. Milking that gimmick to death eventually got him released.

His son Randy, already noted for going AWOL from the Army and dishonorably discharged, has been noted for doing real heel things like crapping in ladies gymbags. While the young man is one of the finest athletes on the roster with loads of natural charisma such antics will find him ostracized just as soon as the writers stop pushing him.

Good luck on your next hearing.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

I enjoyed Jr in FL in the 1970s. I remember Sr making rare appearances as well. I can't remmeber who Jr teamed up with though as a heel.

[prisoner6]

Thanks..I wondered if the Cowboy Bob I remember was teh one who passed.

[JoeSixPack1]

Why Rowdy Roddy, of course! :-)

But his best antic was his arm cast!

[bonehead4freedom]

Always loved Cowboy Bob with the cast with Rowdy Roddy, I knew that his daddy hung with Nature Boy Buddy Rodgers,didn't know he mixed it up with Bruno in the old WWWF.The comment about Flair was interesting because I always thought he was the link to the past history,Randy is billed as the legend killer but I would think really the the legend preserver!
Ed Asner in a story about wrestling legends, I leave it to others to comment ,I always thought he spent his childhood following Eugene Debbs around the country.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Randy's role truly is that of "the Legend Preserver", so he gets away with behavior that has seen most others hitting the bricks. That he performs the role so well speaks highly of his talent - that and so many fragile "legends" allowing themselves to be bulldogged by the kid on television.

As Buddy Rodgers never approved of Flair's using the Nature Boy moniker it's no surprise that his associate also looked down on Rick. I think at this point that it's indisputable that Flair has acheived the unbelievable by remaining active at 56 years old while still pulling off dramatic matches that get his opponents over without looking ridiculous. While never being as truly tough as Samartino, Kawolski or dozens of others Rick always balanced performance with preservance...and he's still performing today when no one thought it possible.

[bonehead4freedom]

Flair has both showmanship and natural ability and he has done a good job putting over the new talent, I love his mike skills.The Foley angle of who is the real dirtiest player in the game is great and @ 56 having worked for several promotions please give Rick his due WHOOO!
Agree with me on this, working for Vince ain't easy either.
My parting shot the new ECW stinks I think TNA has the real feel for extreme outlaw feel, this means I think Jeff and his daddy has the Haymen vision!(I choke as I write this!)My smark opinion which I make in fun love to hear yours as well.
I wish this was serious as we had to get but,pray for those who can't get a pay per view because they have some serious things to do!

[AppyPappy]

In other news, Randy Orton pulled a hangnail at the press conference and will be out for 6 weeks.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

It was before that.....I think it was Bob Roop (sp?)It was on the old Florida Wrestling with Gordon Solie.