Before he became the twisted, unsettling Doink the Clown in the WWF, Matt Borne was a second-generation tough guy with a reputation for being as unpredictable outside the ring as he was inside it. In this hard-hitting career shoot interview, we dive deep into the life, career, and controversies of the man behind one of wrestling’s most infamous personas.
Born into the business as the son of legendary territorial wrestler Tough Tony Borne, Matt carved his own path through the industry, competing in legendary promotions like Mid-South, World Class, and WCW before taking on the sinister Doink character in the early ‘90s WWF. But behind the face paint was a man whose career was marked by hard-fought battles, backstage heat, personal demons, and unrealized potential.
What was it really like growing up in a wrestling family? How did he end up becoming the original Doink, and what led to him being replaced in WWF despite his undeniable talent? What really happened behind the scenes in Mid-South and the territories, and how did his old-school toughness shape his career?
With raw honesty and no filters, we uncover the highs, lows, and untold stories of a man who was far more than just a gimmick. From his greatest matches to his biggest regrets, this is Matt Borne’s story—straight from the man himself.