5 Greatest WWE Superstars with a “Cowboy” Gimmick

In its history, WWE has probably had more Superstars from the southern states than any other part of the country. Texas has been a hotbed for WWE Superstars. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dusty Rhodes and the Undertaker hailing from the Longhorn State. Tennessee and Florida have also been states that have been home to many superstars such as Hulk Hogan and Jerry Lawler. For some of these superstars from southern states, incorporating their background into their characters became essential.

Cowboys have always been a fixture in American culture. Movies, television shows and books have all been made depicting the cowboy lifestyle. Generations of children grew up “playing cowboy” with their friends. WWE has capitalized on America’s fascination with cowboys to create some of the most iconic characters in the company’s history. These WWE Superstars that portrayed cowboys for the the fans were all tough, hard-nosed and typically brawlers. Some were embraced by WWE fans and others were despised.

With so many past WWE Superstars to choose from, it was difficult to narrow it down to just five. Some incorporated some of the cowboy characteristics and embraced their roots but did not fully commit to a cowboy gimmick. Still others, like the WWE’s tag team The Smoking Gunns, did not quite live up to the gimmick they were trying to portray.

Here now is the list of the 5 Greatest WWE Superstars with a “Cowboy” Gimmick.

#5. WWE’s bodyguard extraordinaire, Cowboy Bob Orton Jr.

Bob Orton Jr. came to WWE as a second generation superstar, following in the footsteps of Bob Orton Sr. His initial run with the company was that of a tough cowboy that was also technically sound in the ring. He was an instant heel with his gravelly voice and tough talk. Orton had some legendary matches with Bob Backlund and nearly stripped him of the title on several occasions. Orton would leave WWE in the early 1980s to have a successful run in the NWA.

Orton returned to WWE in the mid 1980s as part of Vince McMahon’s recruitment of superstars from territories all over the country. Initially, Orton utilized Roddy Piper as his manager but then famously became the bodyguard for the host of Piper’s Pit. Orton, through his association with Piper, became one of the most famous Superstars in WWE. He was actively involved in the main event in the first WrestleMania. Orton had a major role in Piper’s corner in his famous boxing match with Mr.T at the second WrestleMania. However, he dropped out of the main event scene upon Piper’s absence after WrestleMania 2.

Whether he was on his own or in the corner of Piper or then Adrian Adonis, Orton was always the tough-talking cowboy ready to back up his words. He is enshrined in WWE’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding career. He will also forever be known as being the father of a legendary third generation superstar, Randy Orton.

#4. WWE’s Texas tycoon, JBL.

WWE’s John Layfield Bradshaw had two if not three characters that utilized the “cowboy” gimmick. His initial run was as Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw, which was an extension of himself. Bradshaw was a rough and tough Texan who would "brand" his opponent with the initials JB after his wins. He would go on to have a feud with The Undertaker and Savio Vega before he updated his character.

JBL continued the “cowboy” theme by becoming one half of the New Blackjacks with his real life cousin Barry Windham. The pair had handlebar mustaches and wore leather vests and cowboy hats in honor of the original Blackjacks tag team that featured Windham’s real life father Black Jack Mulligan. Unfortunately, Windham was unable to stay healthy and the pairing never took off. JBL went off to become a member of the Acolytes and left the “cowboy” gimmick behind.

JBL got his biggest and greatest push after the Acolytes were disbanded. Returning as a brash-talking Texas Tycoon, JBL became one of the biggest heels on SmackDown. He would go on to capture the WWE title and have a great run as a despised champion. By the time his title run was over, JBL’s Hall of Fame credentials were solidified.

Through multiple character adjustments, JBL proved that there was more than one way to play a “cowboy” in the WWE.

#3. Starting a legacy, WWE’s Blackjack Mulligan.

Wearing a black hat, black fingerless gloves, black trunks and a black hat, Blackjack Mulligan was one of the most feared men in WWE history. At 6’7” and over 300 lbs, Mulligan started out as a formidable challenger to Pedro Morales for the WWE title. Mulligan was slashed by a fan in a match at Boston Garden which badly injured his leg. In a true showing of cowboy toughness, Mulligan was able to take on Bruno Sammartino in an important match at Madison Square Garden.

Mulligan returned to WWE as part of a tag team with Blackjack Lanza, forming the Blackjacks tag team. The pair would go on to win tag team gold. Mulligan would eventually return south to the NWA where he would be #1 contender to Ric Flair’s world championship. His size, attitude and toughness made Mulligan an attraction in any territory he entered. Mulligan would have another big run left in him.

Mulligan’s return to WWE in the early 80s led to another big run as a rugged cowboy heel. Mulligan got a shot at Bob Backlund’s WWE championship on several occasions. His biggest feud, literally and figuratively, was with Andre the Giant. Mulligan and Andre would feud all over the Northeast, drawing sold-out shows in every arena. Mulligan last run in WWE in the mid 80s, this time as a fan favorite. Mulligan’ career would soon come to an end.

Mulligan was the living embodiment of a tough-talking Texas cowboy. Blackjack Mulligan has passed, but his legacy lives on. The WWE hall-of-famer is the father to wrestling legend Barry Windham and father-in-law to Mike Rotunda. His grandsons are Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas.

#2. WWE’s singing cowboy, Jeff Jarrett.

“That's J-E-Double-F, J-A-Double-R, E-Double-T!” said WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett during the height of his WWE career. The singing cowboy and third generation superstar, Jarrett would win over 80 titles in his storied career. Jarrett was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2018.

Jarrett had two successful runs in WWE, from 1992-1996 and again from 1997-1999. The highlight of both his WWE runs was winning the IC title. Jarrett won the title on six different occasions in his two stints in WWE. He would also win the European title as well as the Tag Team title belts. Jarrett would have classic feuds with Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson. In between his WWE runs, Jarrett found success in WCW.

Double J’s stay in WCW was a very successful one. He would win the US championship in a feud with Dean Malenko. He then began a feud with the Four Horsemen before departing back to WWE. Jarrett’s last stay at WCW was even more successful. Jarrett would win the WCW heavyweight title on 4 different occasions and become the focal point of the company. Jarrett would move on to TNA and have a successful run as champion and a classic rivalry with Kurt Angle.

Jeff Jarrett made his mark in both WCW and WWE. He successfully navigated the singing cowboy gimmick into multiple title reigns and a place in WWE’s Hall of Fame.

#1. WWE’s hardcore legend, Terry Funk.

Terry Funk didn’t play his character, he lived it. Funk’s 50 year wrestling career took him all over the world and led to his induction in WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2009. Hailing from the “Double Cross Ranch” in Amarillo, Texas, Funk came to the ring in a cowboy hat and chaps looking for a fight. Funk, along with his father Dory and brother Dory Jr., built a legacy for all-time.

In a 50-year career, Funk has had more than his share of accolades. Funk had legendary feuds with the likes of Ric Flair, Junkyard Dog and Cactus Jack. Funk also won the NWA heavyweight title, ECW heavyweight title and multiple tag team titles including one in WWE. Funk embraced the cowboy role fully in his WWE run. Funk would often ‘brand’ his opponents after a victory and conducted the majority of his interviews with a mouthful of tobacco.

Terry Funk was the embodiment of a Texas-tough cowboy. He was fearless in the ring and more than a bit crazy. Like an old cowboy, Funk was never quite ready to hang up his tights. Funk carried himself like a true cowboy.