Second-generation wrestler Randal Barry Orton, the son of Bob Orton, brother of Bob Orton Jr., and uncle of Randy Orton, sadly passed away on Friday, aged just 62. Wrestling fans will best remember him as WWF enhancement talent Barry O, and as of writing, details surrounding his cause of death remain private.
Orton actually worked two runs for Vince McMahon’s promotion, with the first being during the mid-80s. This came to an end due to Orton getting involved in a car crash that saw his female passenger die. Due to being drunk behind the wheel, he would be sentenced to four years in prison but only served two. His second run would come during 1990 and lasted through March 1991.
His most significant in-ring success would come during his time in Stampede Wrestling in Canada in 1987. He competed there as The Zodiac, which was a tribute to his father, who wrestled under that name in Florida in the 70s. Despite being an enhancement talent previously for WWF, he did receive a push with this gimmick and had victories over both Chris Benoit and Brian Pillman, who were in the early stages of their careers at the time.
His 15-year pro wrestling career pretty much came to an end after departing the WWF for a second time as he was a whistle-blower during the sex scandal that hit the company in the early 90s. Although he did briefly compete again for a small promotion called World Organized Wrestling which let his nephew Randy referee matches aged 12. After that, he’d leave the business for 19 years before returning in 2011 to compete in a Legends Battle Royal put on by Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. This would end up being his final match.
