Who Is Matt Borne? Age, Biography and Wiki
Matt Borne, born on July 27, 1957, was an influential American professional wrestler who left an indelible mark on the wrestling world. Known for his unique wrestling style and larger-than-life persona, he became a household name in various wrestling promotions, most notably in the WWF during the 1990s. Borne passed away on June 28, 2013, but his legacy continues to inspire fans and aspiring wrestlers alike.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1957 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 28 June, 2013 |
| Died Place | Plano, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
Matt Borne's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In his prime, Matt Borne stood approximately 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall and weighed around 240 pounds (110 kg). His athletic build and dynamic presence in the ring were integral to his wrestling character. Borne's physique allowed him to perform a variety of moves that captivated audiences.
After leaving WCW in 1992, Osborne returned to the World Wrestling Federation on September 21, 1992 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at a WWF Superstars taping. Competing as himself, he defeated Bill Jordan.
Borne would shortly thereafter become Doink the Clown, in a villainous clown gimmick that would frequently pull tricks on wrestlers at ringside as well as fans. He made his in ring televised debut on the January 31, 1993 edition of Wrestling Challenge defeating Bob East.
He would also briefly use the character in United States Wrestling Association in February before returning to WWF television in March. Soon after his televised return, he began feuding with Crush after attacking him with a prosthetic arm on an episode of Superstars of Wrestling, which subsequently resulted in a match at WrestleMania IX.
During this match, another Doink (Steve Keirn) came out from under the ring and attacked Crush with another prosthetic arm, allowing the real Doink to pin Crush.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Matt Borne maintained a degree of privacy regarding his personal relationships. Information about his family is limited, but it is known that he had children. Borne's dedication to his craft often took precedence over his romantic life. As of 2025, it is evident that Borne did not have a public relationship; however, his profound impact on the wrestling community showcases a legacy of love from fans and peers alike.
In June 2015, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against WWE, alleging that "WWE created a culture of violence and sacrificed Matt Osborne's brain for its own profit" which "led to further illnesses and injuries, including depression and drug abuse, which ultimately resulted in his untimely death." WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt said the suit was with
out merit and blamed the attorneys for taking advantage of the families involved.
The suit was filed by the mother of two of Osborne's four children, and was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. The lawsuit was dismissed by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant, who ruled that they failed to show that his death was linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Net Worth and Salary
Before his passing, Matt Borne had an estimated net worth of around $500,000. His earnings stemmed from his successful wrestling career, as well as merchandise sales and appearances at wrestling conventions. While his financial status may not have reached the heights of some of his contemporaries, Borne’s contributions to the sport left a lasting legacy that financial reports cannot quantify.
In 1991, Osborne signed with World Championship Wrestling and debuted as "Big Josh", an outdoorsman who danced with bears and was friends with Tommy Rich. He debuted as a fan who would run in from the crowd with an ax handle to save babyfaces from villainous attacks by heels.
During his stint with WCW, Osborne won the United States Tag Team Championship with Ron Simmons and the World Six-Man Tag Team Championship with Dustin Rhodes and Tom Zenk.
Borne made his final pay-per-view appearance for the company on May 17, 1992 at WrestleWar, where he defeated Richard Morton; and continued to make sporadic WCW TV appearances throughout the summer of 1992 before leaving the company.
Career, Business and Investments
Matt Borne's career spanned several wrestling trajectories. He first gained prominence in the 1980s and was best known for his role as the character "Doink the Clown" in the WWF. Borne's ability to transcend traditional wrestling personas and entertain the crowd solidified his status as a pioneer. After retiring from the ring, he continued to share his love for wrestling through coaching and appearances. His dedication to promoting wrestling through various platforms helped newer generations understand the sport's history and significance.
Social Network
Although Matt Borne has passed, he maintains a presence in the wrestling community. Fans continue to honor his memory through social media platforms and wrestling forums. Tributes to Borne can frequently be found on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where users share their favorite moments from his wrestling career and express admiration for his contributions to the sport.
On the September 13, 1993 Raw, Doink poured a pail of water over Bobby Heenan, marking his fan favorite turn. On a December episode of Raw, Doink was given a present from Santa Claus in the form of a midget in the Doink costume, which he named Dink. Shortly afterward, however, Osborne was fired for re-occurring drug abuses.
His final TV appearance in the WWF for that era was on the December 27, 1993 episode of Raw. Osborne cited in a shoot interview that Bam Bam Bigelow did not like putting over Osborne. Osborne said this subsequently led to Bigelow snitching on him for smoking weed in the hallway of his hotel and getting him fired from the WWF.
Following his departure, Doink was played by Ray Licameli (also known as Ray Apollo).
Education
Details regarding Matt Borne’s education are not extensively documented. However, as with many professional wrestlers, practical experience and training often outweigh formal education in preparing them for the demands of the wrestling industry. Borne’s journey through various wrestling promotions showcased his self-made approach to mastering the craft.
In May 1986, Borne joined World Class Championship Wrestling. That September, he reformed his tag team with Buzz Sawyer under the management of Percival Pringle III to win a one-day tournament to crown new World Tag Team Champions.
He also won the Texas Heavyweight Championship and defended the title at the Christmas Star Wars event against The Iron Sheik. Borne and Sawyer feuded with fellow Pringle protege Dingo Warrior after falling out with him during a six-man tag match, with Warrior turning babyface as a direct result of the incident.
