10 Times WWE Totally No Sold A Wrestler's Past
6. Doink The Clown
It is part of life as a clown that the person behind the white paint and exaggerated features is engulfed by clownery. The man behind Doink The Clown, at his evil best, is no different.
Matt Borne, the first wrestler to embody the Doink gimmick, not only had his identity hidden but also his pro-wrestling lineage. Borne was the son of "Tough" Tony Borne, a notable talent in the Texas and Pacific Northwest territories during the '50s and '60s. Tony topped the card in chasing the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship.
"Tough" Tony was not just a hero to his son; he was also cited as an inspiration by the likes of Roddy Piper and Rick Martel. It is evident that Matt benefitted from his father's industry knowledge, although this didn't make it to screen. As Doink, Borne's character work made a huge impact on the wrestling landscape.
While the Doink gimmick was unlikely to score Osborne a WWE Championship run, the character was cut short when Borne was fired due to drug issues. With Matt's departure, Doink began acting like a typical comedy clown.