The WWE Clown Death Mystery

Matt Borne, the original Doink the Clown in WWE, was a man who created a memorable character but ultimately ruined his career and personal life with drugs and violence. Now, a murder suspicion hovers over his early death 10 years ago.

Matt Borne, whose real name was Matthew Wade Osborne, was born on July 27, 1957, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He came from a wrestling family, with his father Tony Borne being a regional legend in Oregon. However, Matt Borne’s life was filled with both success and turmoil.

Borne was known for his in-ring skills and toughness, but he also had a dark side. He struggled with drug addiction and was involved in numerous fights outside the ring. One notable incident involved a bar fight where Borne’s lower lip was bitten off in self-defense. Despite these obstacles, Borne continued to wrestle and make a name for himself.

In the 1980s, Borne joined the villain group “The Rat Pack” in the Mid-South promotion. However, his career took a hit when he was involved in a fight with a fan, resulting in a lawsuit and his dismissal from the promotion. This incident also strained his relationship with fellow wrestler Jim Duggan.

Borne’s first WWE engagement ended in scandal when he was fired for drug use. His ex-wife Michelle revealed that Borne “never played a match sober” and was addicted to drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and painkillers.

Despite his personal struggles, Borne found success in WWE when he created the character of Doink the Clown in 1992. Doink was a subversive and evil clown who played nasty pranks on other wrestlers and fans. Borne’s portrayal of Doink was praised for its complexity and skillful performance.

However, Borne felt that WWE did not fully utilize the potential of the Doink character. He was unhappy with his most famous match at WrestleMania IX and felt that McMahon was not using the character to its fullest. Eventually, Borne was fired from WWE after a positive drug test.

Outside the ring, Borne’s life continued to spiral out of control. He struggled with addiction and became violent towards his wives. His first marriage ended in divorce, and his second marriage also fell apart due to his inability to stay clean.

In the last years of his career, Borne wrestled in smaller leagues and played with the Doink character. However, his life came to a tragic end when he died of a drug overdose on June 28, 2013, in Texas.

The circumstances surrounding Borne’s death are disputed. Borne’s daughter, Tegan, accuses his partner, Connie Cook, of murder in the documentary. Tegan claims that Cook planted the drugs on her father and failed to provide assistance when he was in distress. However, a police investigation found no evidence to support these claims.

The WWE Clown Death Mystery continues to haunt the wrestling world. Matt Borne’s life was filled with both triumphs and tragedies, and his legacy as the original Doink the Clown will forever be remembered.

The WWE Clown Death Mystery

In the world of professional wrestling, there have been many larger-than-life characters that have captivated audiences. One such character was Doink the Clown, portrayed by Matt Borne. However, behind the makeup and costume, Borne’s life was plagued by drugs, violence, and ultimately, a mysterious death.

Matt Borne, whose real name was Matthew Wade Osborne, was born on July 27, 1957, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He came from a wrestling family, with his father, Tony Borne, being a regional legend in Oregon. Matt Borne followed in his father’s footsteps, but his career was marred by his personal demons.

Borne was known for his in-ring skills and toughness, but he also had a reputation for his excessive drug use and violent behavior. Former WWE colleague Brian Blair described Borne as a “product of Portland,” referring to the wrestling scene in the Northwestern region of the United States. Borne’s addiction issues and penchant for real-life fights often overshadowed his talent.

Despite his personal struggles, Borne found success in the wrestling world. In the 1980s, he formed the villainous group “The Rat Pack” with fellow wrestlers “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Ted DiBiase. However, a bar fight involving Borne escalated to the point where part of his lower lip was bitten off in self-defense. This incident led to his dismissal from the promotion.

Borne’s first stint with WWE ended in scandal when he was fired for drug use. However, in 1992, he returned to the company and created the character that would define his career – Doink the Clown. Unlike the typical funny and child-friendly clown, Borne portrayed Doink as an evil and spooky harlequin who delighted in playing nasty pranks on other wrestlers and fans.

Doink the Clown became a fan favorite, but Borne felt that WWE didn’t fully utilize the character’s potential. He was eventually fired again after a positive drug test. Borne’s life spiraled out of control after his release, leading to the breakdown of his marriages and further drug addiction.

Tragically, Borne’s life came to an end on June 28, 2013, when he died of a drug overdose in his adopted home of Texas. The circumstances surrounding his death raised suspicions, with Borne’s daughter, Tegan, accusing his partner, Connie Cook, of murder. Tegan claimed that Cook had planted the drugs on her father.

An investigation was conducted, but no evidence was found to support Tegan’s allegations. The police ruled Borne’s death as an accident caused by a combination of drugs and a pre-existing heart condition. Despite the unanswered questions surrounding his death, Borne’s legacy as the original Doink the Clown remains intact.

The WWE Clown Death Mystery serves as a reminder of the dark side of the wrestling industry and the toll it can take on its performers. Matt Borne’s story is a cautionary tale of the dangers of addiction and the consequences it can have on both personal and professional lives.

What was the outcome of the lawsuit and subsequent dismissal of Matt Borne from the Mid-South promotion after his fight with a fan?

Known as “The Rat Pack” in the Mid-South promotion. However, his career took a downturn when he was involved in a fight with a fan, leading to a lawsuit and his subsequent dismissal from the promotion. This incident also strained his relationship with fellow wrestler Jim Duggan.

After leaving Mid-South, Borne signed with WWE and embarked on his most memorable character, Doink the Clown, in 1992. Doink was a mischievous and sinister character who played pranks on other wrestlers and fans alike. Borne’s portrayal of Doink was praised for its complexity and skill, but behind the scenes, his dissatisfaction with how the character was used by WWE grew.

As Borne’s personal life continued to spiral out of control, his wrestling career suffered. He wrestled in smaller leagues and continued to portray Doink, but his struggles with addiction and violence began to take a toll. Borne’s marriages crumbled under the weight of his issues, leading to divorce and further heartache.

On June 28, 2013, Borne’s life came to a tragic end when he died of a drug overdose in Texas. The circumstances surrounding his death are highly disputed, with his daughter accusing his partner of foul play in a documentary. However, a police investigation found no evidence to support these claims.

The mystery surrounding Borne’s death continues to haunt the wrestling world. His legacy as the original Doink the Clown will always be remembered, but so too will the demons that plagued his life. Matt Borne’s story serves as a cautionary tale of the dark side of fame and the destructive power of addiction.