Bob Orton Sr.
Nickname
"Cowboy"
Real Name
Robert Orton, Sr.
Birthday
July 21, 1929
Hometown
Born in Kansas City, Kansas
Now Resides in Las Vegas, Nevada
Height
6'2"
Weight
Marital Status
Married to Rita (January 22, 1950) With Three Children
Trained by
Debut
1951
Previous Names
Rocky Fitzpatrick
The Zodiak
El Lobo
Finishing Move(s)
Favorite Move(s)
Notable Feuds
Cowboy Bob Ellis
Ronnie Etchison
Tommy O'Toole
Enrique Torres
Sonny Myers
Dave Simms
Title History
•NWA Heart of America Heavyweight title defeating Alo Leilani (December 20, 1951);
•NWA Heart of America Heavyweight title defeating Dave Sims (January 28, 1954);
•NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating ???????? (Febuary ??, 1954);
•NWA Southwest Heavyweight title defeating ???????? (????, 1956);
•NWA (Ohio) United States Tag Team titles w/Great Scott defeating ??????? (????, 1962);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Eddie Graham (December 28, 1963);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Bob Ellis (June 4, 1964);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title won a tournament (June 17, 1965);
•NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Eddie Graham defeating Medics (April 19, 1966);
•NWA (Florida) World Tag Team titles w/Eddie Graham won a tournament (May 17, 1966);
•AWA Midwest Tag Team titles w/Mike DiBiase defeating Doug Gilbert & Reggie Parks (????, 1967);
•Nebraska Heavyweight title defeating Bobby Shane (May 27, 1967);
•AWA Midwest Heavyweight title defeating Doug Gilbert (July 15, 1967);
•AWA Midwest Heavyweight title defeating Rock Rogowski (aka Ole Anderson) (November 11, 1967);
•AWA Midwest Tag Team titles w/Mad Dog Vachon defeating Doug Gilbert & Reggie Parks (????, 1968);
•AWA Midwest Tag Team titles w/Mad Dog Vachon defeating Doug Gilbert & Reggie Parks (March 15, 1968);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Missouri Mauler (March 3, 1970);
•NWA (Central States) North American Tag Team titles w/Buddy Austin defeating Rock Hunter & Roger Kirby (????, 1971);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Tim Woods (June 24, 1972);
•NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/Taurus (aka Dennis Hall) defeating Johnny Walker & Boris Malenko (June 29, 1972);
•NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Hiro Matsuda (July 10, 1972);
•NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/Hiro Matsuda defeating Ray Stevens & Nick Bockwinkel (August 15, 1972)
Career
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 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. He also competed in the American Wrestling Association, where he would also gain championship success. 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 number one challenger to WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino, losing to Bruno at Madison Square Garden. He fought Sammartino in other northeastern cities as well.
He retired in July 2000 and spent the last years of his life living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
