Matt Borne at a Glance
- Net Worth: $200,000
- Birthdate: August 27, 1957
- Date of Death: June 28, 2013
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Professional Wrestler
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What is Matt Borne’s Net Worth?
Matt Borne was an American professional wrestler with a net worth of $200,000. This fortune was accumulated over a professional career that spanned more than three decades. Borne was a second-generation wrestler whose primary financial success came from his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the early 1990s.
His most famous and lucrative creation was the original Doink the Clown character. This high-profile role made him a featured performer on WWF programming and pay-per-views, including a prominent match at WrestleMania IX. His income from this period, combined with contracts from World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and independent circuit bookings, formed the basis of his estate. Borne’s net worth also reflects the financial difficulties he faced, as personal issues led to his dismissal from the WWF at the peak of his character’s popularity.
Early Life
Matthew Wade Osborne, known professionally as Matt Borne, was born in Portland, Oregon. He was immersed in the professional wrestling business from birth as the son of legendary Pacific Northwest wrestler Tony Borne. He was trained for the ring by his father and other local veterans, beginning his professional career in 1978.
Career
Matt Borne’s early career was built on traveling through various National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories. He joined the WWF for his first significant run in the mid-1980s, competing as a solid mid-card talent. His profile rose considerably in Texas’s World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he was a member of Skandor Akbar’s “Devastation, Inc.” and engaged in a notable feud with the Von Erich family.
After a brief stint in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as the character “Big Josh,” Borne returned to the WWF in 1992. This move would define his legacy. He was repackaged as Doink the Clown, a character that was initially a sinister, malevolent villain who played cruel tricks on fans and other wrestlers. Borne’s commitment to the dark psychological aspects of the gimmick earned him critical praise.
The character’s success led to a high-profile feud with Crush, culminating at WrestleMania IX in 1993. Borne’s personal struggles led to his departure from the WWF later that year. The Doink the Clown gimmick was then passed on to several other wrestlers, who transformed the character into a comedic fan favorite, a stark contrast to Borne’s original, dark interpretation.
Following his WWF exit, Borne appeared in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) as “Borne Again,” where he lamented the “death” of his creation. He spent the remainder of his career working on the independent circuit. Borne also made several nostalgic appearances for WWE, including the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania X-Seven and a 2007 appearance on Raw.
Personal Life
Matt Borne was married twice and had four children. He battled substance abuse for much of his adult life, which heavily impacted his career and finances. Borne passed away on June 28, 2013, in Plano, Texas.
