Bob Orton , Jr . Robert Keith " Bob " Orton , Jr . ( November 10 , 1950 ) is an American professional wrestler , better known by his ring name , " Cowboy " Bob Orton . He is the son of Bob , Sr . and Rita Orton , the brother of Barry O , and the father of WWE Superstar Randy Orton . Orton is best known by his time in the WWF ( World Wrestling Federation , now WWE ) apart from the WWF , Orton wrestled for several promotions in the United States , Japan , and other countries . Professional wrestling career . Early career . Orton trained with Hiro Matsuda , after dropping out of college and at the age of 22 , Orton made his debut in the promotion Championship Wrestling from Florida in 1972 with the ring name of Young Mr Wrestling wrestling in instances with his father Bob Orton , Sr . They won the tag team title from the promotion , Orton was one of the first wrestlers to use the Superplex as his final movement . Orton in his early days in wrestling , he used a gimmick , of a masked wrestler known as The Invader . He often used this gimmick , until 1976 . He with Dick Slater had a feud with Ric Flair . Orton and Slater attacked Flair with an aided piledriver , which caused Flair a several injury in the neck , and put Flair out of wrestling for several months . Flair would eventually return in late 1983 , attacking both Orton and Slater with a baseball bat . NWA run . After experiencing success in the Florida , Central States , and Mid - South regions , Orton competed in the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980 - 1981 using a cowboy ' s gimmick . While he competed in the NWA , he won several matches and earned a reputation as a hard worker and legit tough guy . In 1981 He left the NWA to sign a contract with the World Wrestling Federation . He returned to the NWA again in 1983 and captured the tag team titles , but returned to the WWF when Vince McMahon ' s national expansion began in 1984 . WWF run . In 1981 , Orton competed in the World Wrestling Federation . Competing as a heel and using the dreaded superplex as his finisher , he challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship , winning by count - out ( the title can ' t change of hands by disqualification or count - out ) , the first match . They had a lumberjack match a month later but was unsuccessful . He left the territory in 1983 and ventured to the NWA , where he captured the tag team titles with Don Kernodle . The duo held the titles for two months before succumbing to Wahoo McDaniel and Mark Youngblood . Orton re - joined the WWF in 1984 for what would be the most famous run of his career . He was often addressed as " Ace " Orton by Roddy Piper , and was Piper ' s bodyguard . His other gimmick , wearing a cast during his matches , stemmed from legitimately having his left forearm broken in a match with Jimmy Snuka at the 1985 event " The War to Settle the Score " in Madison Square Garden . Although the injury healed in real life , the " cast " gimmick involved Orton — on " doctor ' s orders " — continuing to wear the cast , claiming the injury had not healed ; Orton instead would use the cast to his advantage , striking his opponents behind the referee ' s back . He won several matches , with the cast and without the cast . Orton was involved in the main event of the very first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in 1985 , being in the corner of Piper and ' Mr . Wonderful ' Paul Orndorff in their match against Hulk Hogan and Mr . T . Orton accidentally cost his team the match after an attempted cheat backfired , resulting in him hitting Orndorff with the cast . Orton also competed in the main event against WWF Champion Hulk Hogan on the premiere episode of Saturday Night ' s Main Event on NBC broadcast May 11 , 1985 , which he lost by disqualification due to the interference of Piper . Orton remained with Piper for the remainder of 1985 , feuding with Orndorff and a variety of partners , such as Hogan , André the Giant , and Bruno Sammartino . In early 1986 , Orndorff began wearing a cast as a neutralizer and the WWF ordered both men to remove the cast . Also in late 1985 and early 1986 , Orton challenged Hogan for the WWF Heavyweight Championship ; like his matches four years earlier against Backlund , Orton was not successful . Orton was dubbed " Boxing " Bob and " Battling " Bob in early 1986 after the cast came off and fought Mr . T at " Saturday Night ' s Main Event " , which served as a setup for the Piper - Mr . T match at WrestleMania 2 . Prior to WrestleMania 2 , " Boxing " Bob Orton defeated Jose Luis Rivera in a boxing match . At WrestleMania Orton was introduced as " Ace in Comedy and Funnyman " by guest ring announcer Joan Rivers who misread the card . Piper and Orton went their separate ways after WrestleMania , with Piper taking a hiatus and Orton in the meantime becoming the bodyguard for Piper ' s talk - segment successor Adorable Adrian Adonis ; Adonis had Orton wear a pink cowboy hat . When Piper returned later in 1986 to reclaim his talk show segment ( turning face in the process ) , Orton betrayed his long - time friend , sparking a violent feud with Orton and his new partners that typically saw Piper winning . During this time , Orton formed a tag team with The Magnificent Muraco , with the duo managed by Mr . Fuji , and some times managed by Jimmy Hart . They won several matches and appeared at the opening match at WrestleMania III , losing to the Can - Am Connection . During the summer of 1987 , Muraco and Orton began arguing during several of their matches , this caused to both of them to lost against other teams , eventually with the two turning on each other . Orton continued to be billed as the heel while Muraco ( adopting the nickname " The Rock " ) turned face . After the two wrestlers feuded with each other during the late summer and early fall , they competed in several matches with each other , exchanging victories with each other . During Orton ' s feud with Muraco , Mr . Fuji would return to manage Orton ( Muraco dumped Mr . Fuji as his manager following his face turn ) Orton continued to wrestle for the WWF until late 1987 , in which Orton took a hiatus from Wrestling for the remaining of 1987 . Muraco for the other side , eventually continued to wrestle for the WWF until 1988 . Orton tried to make a comeback to the WWF in 1989 , losing to Ted DiBiase in a WWF house show , and then in 1990 , competing in some WWF house shows , usually with his matches ending in draws , then he departed from the WWF . Career after WWF . After leaving the WWF , Orton took a short hiatus from Wrestling , he was not present in wrestling until 1988 , in where Orton travelled to Japan . During this time , he wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling , during this period , Orton teamed with his brother Barry Orton , and they form the team of the Gaspar Brothers , and he used the ring name of Billy Gaspar . They won several matches together . After the team of the Gaspar Brothers , ended , Orton brief teamed with Dick Murdoch in AJPW . In 1989 , Orton returned to the United States , and he wrestled for the then National Wrestling Alliance member , World Championship Wrestling . Orton had a feud with his former partner , Dick Murdoch . Orton defeated Murdoch at Clash Of Champions , this started a feud between the two , resulting in both of them interfering in their matches . Murdoch challenged Orton to a bullrope match after he had interfered in one of Orton ' s matches , in which Orton defeated Trent Knight . He lose to Murdoch at the 1989 Wrestlewar in the bullrope match . Shortly after the match , Orton ' s manager " Playboy " Gary Hart started brawling with Murdoch , and then Orton attacked Murdoch with the cowbell of the bullrope , and he throw Murdoch out of the ring , choking Murdoch , and , attacking the referees that they were trying to stop him in the process . In 1990 he appeared in the Five Star Wrestling Federation in Baton Rouge which was headed by Grizzly Smith , that same year , Orton appeared in International World Class Championship Wrestling . In 1991 he wrestled for Herb Abrams ' Universal Wrestling Federation at their lone pay - per - view Beach Brawl , as well as their live wrestling special Blackjack Brawl . In the UWF , Orton was awarded the UWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship as well as winning the UWF Southern States Championship from former rival and teg - team partner Ron Garvin . Orton lost the UWF Southern States Championship to Paul Orndorff , although , Orton was awarded the title back in 1994 when Orndorff left the promotion , vacating the title in the process . In 1994 , Orton made a few appearances for Jim Cornette ' s Smoky Mountain Wrestling . That same year , Orton wrestled for the American Wrestling Federation , and during his time in the AWF , he was managed by Oliver Humperdink . Orton challenged Tito Santana for the AWF Championship , with AWF commissioner Jim Brunzell as the special referee for the match , but Orton lost the match after a flying forearm smash from Santana . During 1995 and 1996 he feuded with Santana . During Orton ' s time in the AWF , Orton received a big push defeating pure jobbers and mid - carders , being in the main event status , and he was the number one contender for Santana ' s AWF Championship in 1996 . He won the AWF Championship in his second attempt to won the championship , before losing the championship to Santana at the same night in the last round . He had a brief feud in 1997 against " Sexy " Ace Steele in MVWA in St . Louis . In 1999 , he appeared at Heroes of Wrestling in which Orton was defeated by former rival Jimmy Snuka , after an interference of Snuka ' s manager Lou Albano . He retired from full - time active competition in that same year , but has continued to wrestle on a semi - regular basis . Second NWA run / WCW run . In early 1989 , Orton debuted in the then National Wrestling Alliance member , World Championship Wrestling . During his second NWA / WCW run , he took Gary Hart as his manager . Orton had success in the NWA / WCW , winning several matches . He had a feud with Dick Murdoch in the NWA / WCW , Orton defeated Murdoch at Clash of Champions , and this caused the feud between the two . Orton along with Gary Hart , usually brawled with Murdoch . Recent independent appearances . Orton returned to the ring at Millennium Wrestling Federation Soul Survivor II in 2004 , teaming with Todd Hanson and Beau Douglas to defeat " The Ugandan Giant " Kamala , Gino Marktino , and Ox Baker ' s Executioner . On August 9 , 2008 , Orton performed in South Bend , Indiana , along with Greg " The Hammer " Valentine . Orton currently works as a performer and co - owner of Tennessee Mountain Wrestling in Knoxville , Tennessee . On October 17 , 2009 , Orton ( accompanied by his youngest son Nathan ) performed at Independent Hardcore Wrestling against " Bloody " Harker Dirge , in a match for the Pro Wrestling Entertainment championship , losing by disqualification after Nathan attacked Dirge . This occasion marked Nathan Orton ' s first appearance in a professional wrestling event . In 2009 , Orton faced Vance Desmond in the 2009 Winter Wrestlefest event , promoted by Canadian Promotion ( ASW ) Orton lost to Desmond , after Orton attempted to do a piledriver , and Desmond reversed the move , finishing the match pinning Orton . This was one of the few times that the crowd saw Orton as a face , as the crowd cheered heavily for him . On November 19 , 2011 , Orton appeared in the main event of a Holy Havoc Championship Wrestling card in Springfield , Illinois , teaming with HHCW Heavyweight Champion Pretty Boy Floyd and Mr . Allstar Rex Gill to defeat The Irish Revolution ( Les Thomas and Seamus McFearsome ) and Beast . On February 9 , 2013 Orton appeared at a Traditional Championship Wrestling ( TCW ) event in Jonesboro , Ark . , he managed and mentored International Heavyweight Champion " Mr . Saturday Night " Michael Barry in a feud with his cousin " All That " Alan Steel . He also participated in a non - televised dark match at the event when he turned on Barry and aligned himself with " The Empire " consisting of Matt Riviera and " Golden Boy " Greg Anthony . This team took on Michael Barry , Barrett Brown and John Saxon . The Empire along with Orton lost to Barry , Brown , and Saxon . On June 13 , 2013 , Orton faced Barrett Brown in a losing effort . On August 16 , 2013 , Orton and George South , faced Tim Horner and Tom Prichard at the Brad Armstrong Memorial event . They lost to Horner , and Prichard . World Wrestling Entertainment . On February 3 , 2005 , Bob Orton was announced as a 2005 inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame . In the weeks preceding WrestleMania 21 , Orton became entangled in his son Randy ' s feud with The Undertaker . During an episode of SmackDown ! , Orton begged The Undertaker to show mercy on his son in order to distract The Undertaker long enough for his son to sneak into the ring and hit the RKO . At WrestleMania , he ( unsuccessfully ) interfered in the match between Orton and The Undertaker , striking The Undertaker with his cast . On August 21 , 2005 , at SummerSlam , Orton interfered in a rematch between Randy and The Undertaker , this time enabling his son to defeat The Undertaker . Orton then began accompanying Randy to ringside during his matches , and teamed with his son at No Mercy on October 9 , 2005 , defeating The Undertaker in a handicap casket match . The Ortons teamed together once again on the October 28 , 2005 episode of " SmackDown ! " , joining forces with Ken Kennedy to face Roddy Piper , Batista , and Eddie Guerrero in a six - man tag team match . The match ended in defeat for the Ortons when Orton succumbed to Piper ' s sleeper hold . On the December 16 , 2005 episode of SmackDown ! , Orton disguised himself as one of the Undertaker ' s druids and carried The Undertaker ' s signature urn to ringside as The Undertaker came to the ring to confront Randy . Orton remained at ringside after the other druids had left , distracting The Undertaker and enabling Randy to attack him . Orton then handed Randy the urn , which Randy used to knock The Undertaker unconscious . At Armageddon , Orton ( still holding the urn ) accompanied Randy to ringside for his Hell in a Cell match with The Undertaker . He interfered in the match several times , but was ultimately unable to prevent The Undertaker from delivering a Tombstone Piledriver to both Ortons and then covering Randy for the win . On February 13 , 2006 , Orton was released from WWE . Orton made an appearance on the November 15 , 2010 episode of WWE Raw as the show went old school , with appearances from past WWE wrestlers , announcers and other on - air personalities . He also appeared on the April 10 , 2012 episode of WWE SmackDown and was attacked by Kane ( offscreen ) who had been feuding with his son Randy at the time . Filmography . Tweak the Heat ( 2005 / 06 ) Personal life . Orton is married to Elaine Orton , a nurse at " Christian Hospital NE " in Missouri , and they have two sons , Randy ( also a professional wrestler ) , Nathan ( a mixed - martial arts fighter ) , and a daughter , Becky . He now lives in Florissant , Missouri . Bob Orton and Curt Hennig were very close friends . On an episode of " WWE Confidential " , he admitted that his forearm injury in the 1985 match with Jimmy Snuka was not a work , and did not heal when he wore the cast . It wouldn ' t heal fully until he left the WWF in 1987 . Orton was also diagnosed with Hepatitis C as a teenager . During Randy Orton ' s Hell in a Cell match with the Undertaker at Armageddon 2005 , Orton was cut open at the hands of the Undertaker , though the Undertaker did not become infected with the Hepatitis C virus . Orton reportedly told WWE booker John Laurinaitis that he had Hepatitis C , but Laurinaitis still ordered the beating to take place despite knowing that there was a chance The Undertaker would become infected with the Hepatitis C virus .