10 Disturbing Backstories Behind WWE Gimmicks

10. Doink

Doink the Clown’s backstory strangely mirrors Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight, in the sense that his origin purposely remains a mystery – with the mystery in and of itself being the most disturbing thing. The lack of backstory makes Doink that much creepier.

Matt Borne portrayed Doink when he debuted for the WWF in ’92, and would expertly utilize people's irrational fear of clowns in the gimmick. Doink would initially play silly pranks on wrestlers, like upending Big Boss Man with a tripwire or dumping water on Marty Jannetty. However, over time he would present himself as overly scary and hateful in his attitude. He would enter the ring silly and cartoonish as a ruse, and as his matches progressed he showcased himself as a technically sound wrestler with his demeanour abruptly changing to sinister as he beat down his opponents. And as soon as the bell rang as the match ended, Doink resumed his silly/cartoon humour.

Doink methodically switched between cartoony and creepy, notably in his interviews. He’d comment in promos with lines like, “I am no more than an instrument of nature... A product of my environment." Matt Borne was really ahead of his time.

WWE’s Senior Vice President Bruce Prichard’s said on his Something to Wrestle podcast about Doink’s mind-set:

"People love clowns or they hate clowns. And you can always think of someone that hides behind the makeup of a clown. You know for the most part they’re painting on a happy face because underneath the paint is a miserable person."