ST. LOUIS — WWE superstar Randy Orton was the big name in the house, but it was the whole Orton family that was there to celebrate Cowboy Bob Orton’s induction into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The event, which was a part of the SICW Fan Fest II at the Aviator Hotel in St. Louis, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, also featured Class of 2024 inductees Leilani Kai, Judy Martin and Wendi Richter. Posthumously inducted was announcer George Abel and businessman Harold Koplar.
Before Orton’s induction, a video was played, spotlighting the entire wrestling family, including the late Bob Orton Sr., his two sons, Bob Orton Jr. and the late Barry Orton, and Randy.
Known as “The Legend Killer” and “The Viper” at various times, Randy, dressed smartly in a white uncollared shirt and sport coat, was the first one to talk about the man fans knew as “Ace” and “Cowboy.”
His father’s selling was “better than anybody else” began Randy, more than happy to give credit where credit was due.
“I owe everything, any success I have had, I owe it to you Bob,” he said.
Randy knew he was privileged to have a father, uncle and grandfather as wrestlers. “My foot was in the door before I even knew I wanted to be a professional wrestler,” he said.
Then Randy pivoted to the location, crowing that “St. Louis is Wrestling Town.”
“It was the heart and soul of the NWA,” he noted. “Once you came through St. Louis, you knew you were on your way to making a name for yourself.”
The Orton family moved 20 times before Randal was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and settled in St. Louis around 1983.
Randy praised his father’s efforts, working extra jobs when they weren’t making big money in the WWF.
“He busted his ass for every cent he made,” said Randy, listing jobs like bouncing at a bar where he wore a white shirt and would come home soiled with blood, sold cars, did construction, and drove trucks and school buses. There was a gym deal that went sour as well.
“My dad is the toughest guy I’ve ever known,” said Randy. “He loved his family more than anything else.”
Up next was Becky Orton. She thanked her father for always making time for her as an athlete, showing up at her basketball and softball games. She also noted that “he was a total hard-ass growing up” but now, with her three kids, Bob is “the biggest teddy bear.”
Nate, eight years younger than Randy, is the family cut-up, suitable in his career as a stand-up comedian. He joked that he was not an athlete like his brother because “the quality of the sperm greatly decreased” over the eight years, and that it was good that Dad sold cars because Nate totaled several cars.
“Get your ass up here and accept your reward,” ordered Nate to Cowboy.
Never one known for his speaking on shows, Bob Orton Jr., dressed in a suit and a black cowboy hat — but no arm cast — was short and sweet.
“This means a lot to me,” he said. “I don’t have a whole lot to say, never did”
The packed room chanted “Orton” as the family cleared the room.
SICW promoter Herb Simmons and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart acted as the hosts for the evening, which preceded a SICW wrestling show.
It was appropriate that Hart was called upon to induct “The Glamour Girls” Judy Martin and Leilani Kai, neither of whom were able to make it, since he managed the team, especially memorable for their WWF bouts against the Jumping Bomb Angels. But the St. Louis Hall of Fame is about their time in and around the city through the years.
Richter was on hand and talked about St. Louis being “one of the first territories that I ever wrestled in” in 1981. There, she saw the likes of Harley Race and Bruiser Brody fighting. “I wanted to be top tier like they were,” she said.
It is to the point now where women’s wrestling is on par with the men in many aspects, and Richter said that “I feel like I was a part of a revolution for women’s wrestling.”
It was also appropriate that Hart was on hand for the surprise Lifetime Achievement Award that he was given at the end of the evening.
“This is crazy, this really is,” Hart said, only slightly quieter than usual. “I have been so blessed,” he added. Ever the professional, Hart knew to keep it short, because they had to break down the room to set up for the wrestling.
Chris Abel, son, the son of George Abel, spoke about his father, who was an announcer from 1972-73, but also spent years as an actor. “My dad loved the wrestling, and St. Louis,” said Abel. Through his father, Chris was able to meet many old wrestlers, like an intimidating Fritz Von Erich whose big “Iron Claw” handshake was terrifying to a 10-year-old kid. George Abel is also a member of the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame.
Harold Koplar was an American hotelier and businessman in St. Louis, and owned the television station and the hotel where Wrestling with the Chase was taped. His grandson, Bob Koplar, accepted the honor.
“Night Train” Gary Jackson received the Sam Muchnick Award, named in honor of the famed St. Louis promoter.
His speech was by far the most fiery and passionate, especially because he still wrestles for the local SICW promotion — and admitted that he was looking forward to getting out of his sharp burnt orange suit and into an outfit to wrestle.
Jackson left the army in 1983 to “chase my dream” and become a pro wrestler. He was able to wrestle at the tail end of the territory days, in Memphis and Central States, noting that was “where you really learned your lessons.”
“It’s been great, I have no regrets,” concluded Jackson.
For more on past inductees, visit https://saintlouiswrestling.
TOP PHOTO: Cowboy Bob Orton with his three children, Becky, Nate and Randy, at the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame induction at the SICW Fan Fest II at the Aviator Hotel in St. Louis, on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Photo by Scott Romer
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