10 Hushed Scandals That Rocked Wrestling

8. The Pat Patterson And Terry Garvin Sex Scandal

Modern wrestling fans are familiar with Randy Orton, and likely his father Cowboy Bob Orton, but many have probably never heard of Barry Orton, the uncle of Randy. He wasn’t in the business very long, basically serving as a jobber to various promotions (including the WWF), but he never achieved the heights that his family members did. However, he was integral to a scandal that shook up the WWF.

In the late '70s, he worked with the NWA, and would travel with front office worker Terry Garvin. During one of those car rides, Garvin asked Orton to perform oral sex on him, which he turned down. Years later, Garvin joined the WWF due in part to his friendship with Pat Patterson. Soon word broke out that he was harassing ring boys in the company, and attempting to have sex with them. One of those ring boys, Tom Cole, refused Garvin’s advances and was soon fired. Orton then came forward with his story when asked about it on a radio show.

Vince McMahon settled out of court with Cole, and soon Orton was blacklisted from the entire industry. Meanwhile, Garvin and his good friend Pat Patterson resigned from the company (ring announcer Mel Phillips who had allegedly been harassing the ring boys was fired). Garvin never returned, but Patterson quietly got his old job back in a year (after it was promised to Jake Roberts).

There were many horrible accusations thrown about, yet somehow, no one was convicted of any crimes.