Of course, I knew of his father and his brother.
His nephew, Randy, was the first big name I ever interviewed.
But all I knew of Barry Orton could be summed up in one word: scandal.
After a chance meeting in Las Vegas, I was given the opportunity to delve
headfirst into the enigma, the abyss that is Barry Orton.
Brace yourselves.
* * *
I was heading to the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) Reunion for the first time. I had just finished journalism school and heading to Las Vegas seemed like the ultimate reward for obtaining my degree.
A few days before boarding the plane, my grandmother read my cards. An
eccentric practice to some, but it was a routine within our relationship
whenever we saw each other. She told me that the Vegas trip was going to
change my life in ways I was not expecting, ways I was not prepared for. If
she only knew...
* * *
 |
Barry Orton wheels his father, Bob Sr. around the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion in Las Vegas in 2005.
photo by Dr. Mike Lano, WReaLano@aol.com
|
It was the last day of the CAC Reunion and I remember desperately trying to
keep my composure the entire time. It was so difficult not to be
overwhelmed when one moment you would turn and be face to face with someone
like
Harley Race and the next moment you'd walk by
Walter "Killer" Kowalski
eagerly regarding the youth, knowing all too well their motivations and
visions of wrestling rings dancing in their heads, participating in the
training sessions run by
Les Thatcher.
Sin City itself had been a surreal experience for me. My entire being was
buzzing from all the lights, sounds and the cheap margaritas.
I often visited the exhibition room to calm down. Amongst all the
merchandise for sale and wrestling displays, I caught up with my good friend
and fellow Canadian, Bob Leonard. As he was introducing me to female
wrestling legend Penny Banner, I noticed a guy with a video camera
interacting with a few of the wrestlers. Bob pointed at him and told me
that his name was Barry Orton (actually Randal Berry Orton). Barry came by where we were standing and
started filming Penny, explaining that he was making a documentary. After I
introduced myself, he told me that he and a few of the wrestlers were
getting together the next day and he invited me along.
It was an offer I couldn't refuse.
* * *
"Ox Baker, your limo is here!" Barry yells out his driver's side window.
We're outside the Circus Circus hotel. With the addition of Ox Baker and
his wife, Peggy Ann, there are now seven of us crammed into Barry's van. It
has to be a sight even to the people of Nevada. The booming Ox Baker in the
passenger seat; the dignified Sir Oliver Humperdink behind him; K-9 Kohl, a
manager from Tennessee, dressed all in black is next; then there's Bob
Johnson, a current consultant/booker with Stampede wrestling; Peggy Ann and
me, crammed in the back with my little notebook thinking no where in any of
my journalism textbooks did it mention I would find myself in a situation
like this.
We head to Barry's house which he shares with his mother and his sister,
Rhonda. The awe and bewilderment were still fresh in my eyes because Barry
leans in and offers, "Relax, they're people just like you."
 |
Barry Orton's S & M character
|
Feeling slightly, just slightly, more at ease, we all gather in Barry's
home edit suite and watch some promos from his days at World Organized
Wrestling (WOW). The tape is from the early '90s and has Barry portraying
an S & M character. During one of Barry's matches, a familiar face acts as
referee. It's his nephew and current WWE superstar, Randy Orton. Barry
relays to the group how it was one of Randy's first times in the ring.
The wrestling speak soon unfolds in full force. There's an old saying
about wanting to be a fly on a wall in particular situations. For this
afternoon, I was granted that privilege.
I sat there amongst the boys as they gave their best Stu Hart imitations
with deepest respect and fondness. Then the "biz" talk started.
It began with a talk about gimmicks. A subject, I soon learned, that Barry
is extremely passionate about.
Barry revealed that in his own Stampede days when he was the Zodiac, a
tribute to the character first portrayed by his father in the '70s in the
Florida territory. The character originally came on the heels of the Zodiac Killer out in
California. Barry would read all the astrology books he could get his
hands on to make the character authentic.
"The gimmick has to come from the heart," Barry declared.
Sir Oliver Humperdink nodded and piped in, "A gimmick won't work if you
tell someone how to be."
After discussing some of their ideas for improvements and storyline
suggestions for the WWE, including Ox offering to portray Linda McMahon's
gigolo (don't ask), it's on to relishing the days of yore. Days before the
higher flying moves, the riskier techniques of today.
Someone remarks that almost everyone is doing a power slam now.
Ox joins in the reminiscing by commenting, "I remember when Jake Roberts'
DDT looked like it tore the guys' head off."
Then the gentle giant just shakes his own head.
The somber tone breaks when it is announced that lunch is ready. The
forced normalcy continues and I giggle to myself thinking I just passed Sir
Oliver Humperdink potato salad.
 |
Barry (right) on location for Tweak the Heat.
|
After eating, we assemble in the living room for the main event. It seems
Barry has been using his creative energies outside of wrestling. He has
been teaching acting classes for a few years now, enforcing a strict,
organic and no nonsense style. His current project is a film called,
Tweak the Heat.
He shows us a few clips of the film that has him involved in the directing,
executive producing and even co-writing along with his friend Zoë Wild. He
tells us it's about "a phenomenally intelligent New England girl" who is
confronted by several obstacles in life, namely crystal meth. Something I
later learn, Barry himself knows all too well.
The film features cameos from Sir Oliver Humperdink, Ox Baker and even
Barry's brother, Bob Orton Jr.
Barry is beaming and his guests are impressed and proud of him.
At the end of the day Barry and I exchange contact information. He
promises a personal interview. We hug and I thank him for his hospitality.
I fly back home to Regina, Saskatchewan wondering if I'll ever hear from
him again.
* * *
On April 27, I get an email from Barry.
"I was a central figure in one of the largest and most infamous scandals in
the history of professional wrestling and I am ready to break my decade long
silence, tell my side as it were. Through my eyes and with absolute
responsibility and devoid of animosities. It is time."
His words were glaring at me.
Several emotions ran through my brain.
Panic.
Excitement.
Fear.
Panic.
And finally...
Intrigue.
I quietly cursed my grandmother's prediction.
THE BARRY ORTON EPIC:
Part 1: The other Orton
Part 2: Barry O breaks his silence
Part 3: Barry O: Scandal, drugs, recovery
Jamie Kreiser wants to be remembered for the fact that she FINALLY finished her Barry Orton opus. She can be reached at jamie_kreiser@hotmail.com.
