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Doink The Clown - A Look At Wrestling's Iconic Prankster

Photos: See a dozen of WWE's most disturbing Superstars ever | Doink

Jul 02, 2025
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Photos: See a dozen of WWE's most disturbing Superstars ever | Doink

Have you ever wondered about the peculiar, a bit unsettling, yet often amusing character known as Doink the Clown from the world of professional wrestling? This figure, you see, was much more than just someone in a costume; he was a whole idea, a specific kind of act, truly a wrestling character who took on the persona of a circus clown. What he did, in a way, was play various sorts of tricks on people watching the shows and also on those he wrestled against in the ring. He was, actually, a rather memorable presence for many who followed the sport during his time.

This character’s history, as a matter of fact, is quite interesting, stretching across different wrestling organizations. You can find out about the various ways he appeared and the changes he went through in places like WWE, which used to be called the World Wrestling Federation, and also in other wrestling groups. His story involves how he started, how he changed, and where he showed up over the years, giving fans, you know, a lot to talk about.

Doink the Clown was, you might say, a character who truly stood out. He was known for being both a bit mean-spirited and also quite funny, using things like trick flowers, fake body parts, and even a tiny version of himself to cause mischief. He was, honestly, a figure that left a lasting impression on the wrestling scene, moving from being a really strong bad guy to, in some respects, becoming more of a lighthearted joke over time.

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The Person Behind Doink the Clown

When we talk about Doink the Clown, it’s really important to talk about the person who first brought this unique character to life. Matthew Wade Osborne, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the original individual who took on this role. He was, as a matter of fact, a second-generation wrestler, meaning his father, Tony Borne, was also involved in the sport. This background, you know, gave him a connection to the wrestling world from a very early age, setting the stage for his own career in the ring.

Osborne started his wrestling journey, more or less, in late 1978, on December 6th, to be precise. He wrestled for many different independent organizations before becoming widely known for his portrayal of Doink the Clown. His time in the sport spanned several decades, and he was known by a few different names throughout his career, including Big Josh, and even a playful twist on his clown character like Boink the Clown. He also used names such as Borne Again, Reborne Again, and Great Mustapha, which, basically, shows how many different ways he presented himself in the wrestling world.

The character of Doink the Clown first made his appearance in the World Wrestling Federation, which is now known as WWE, in the latter part of 1992. This initial run lasted until 1995, with Osborne being the primary individual to portray the character during that period. He was, you know, the one who truly established the character’s initial, more unsettling nature. His efforts shaped how fans first perceived this clown who seemed to enjoy causing a bit of chaos. Here is some information about Matt Borne, the first Doink the Clown.

Real NameMatthew Wade Osborne
BornCharlotte, North Carolina
DebutDecember 6, 1978
Best Known ForFirst wrestler to portray Doink the Clown
FatherTony Borne (also a wrestler)
Other NamesBig Josh, Boink the Clown, Borne Again, Reborne Again, Great Mustapha, Sgt. Kruger

What Made Doink the Clown So Memorable?

So, what was it about Doink the Clown that made him stick in people's minds for so long? Well, for one thing, he truly stood out because he was a professional wrestling character who was, in fact, a circus clown. He wore a full clown outfit, which included face paint, makeup, and hair that was a very bright shade of green. This look, you know, made him immediately recognizable and also a bit unsettling, especially when you consider how he acted. He wasn't your typical happy-go-lucky circus performer; he was something quite different in the wrestling ring.

Doink the Clown, at his start, was not just a clown; he was a villain, sometimes called a "heel" in wrestling terms. He was known for doing cruel tricks, like popping children's balloons with a cigar, which, honestly, sounds pretty mean for a clown. He would also splash water on people watching the show, adding to his reputation as someone who enjoyed making others uncomfortable. One of his signature moves, in a way, involved using a fake, prosthetic arm to attack his opponents, which was both surprising and a bit bizarre for the audience.

His entrance music, too, was a very important part of his memorable presence. It would start off sounding like happy, traditional circus music, the kind you might expect from a fun clown act. But then, as the music played on, it would change. It would become darker and sound quite threatening, completely shifting the mood and letting everyone know that this was not a friendly clown. This musical change, basically, helped establish him as a character who was truly a bit unsettling and unpredictable.

Who Else Stepped Into Doink the Clown's Shoes?

While Matt Osborne was the first person to bring Doink the Clown to life, the character, you see, was actually played by several different wrestlers over the years. After Osborne left the World Wrestling Federation in late 1993, other individuals took on the role, both within the WWF, which later became WWE, and in other wrestling groups. This means that while the original Doink had a very specific feel, the character itself was, more or less, a costume that different people could wear, bringing their own slight interpretations to the part.

It’s interesting to note that the character continued to show up even after its initial creator moved on. The text mentions that a second version of Doink, who was also meant to be a villain, was played by another experienced wrestler named Steve. This shows that the idea of Doink, the villainous clown, was something the wrestling organizations wanted to keep going, even if the person inside the costume changed. It’s a bit like a character in a long-running play where different actors take on the same part.

The character of Doink the Clown, in a way, was used by a number of wrestlers since the 1990s. While he originally wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation, you can still find the Doink character showing up every now and then on the independent wrestling shows in the United States. This means that even though the character had its peak many years ago, it still, you know, pops up from time to time, keeping the memory of the mischievous clown alive for newer audiences and long-time fans alike.

How Did Doink the Clown Cause Trouble?

Doink the Clown was, basically, a master of causing mischief, and he had some truly memorable ways of doing it. He was known for using a variety of tricky props and antics to get under people's skin. For example, he would use trick flowers that might spray water, or perhaps, you know, some other surprise. He also famously used prosthetic limbs, like a fake arm, to attack his opponents, which was a very unexpected and somewhat bizarre tactic in the ring. This kind of unpredictability, frankly, made him a very unique and unsettling opponent.

Beyond his in-ring antics, Doink the Clown would also mess with the people watching the shows. He would show up at television events and mingle with the fans, but not in a friendly way. He was, actually, seen messing with people in the crowd and being quite mean to them. This behavior, you see, helped establish him as a true villain, someone who wasn't just playing a part in the ring but seemed to genuinely enjoy bothering others, making him a character that fans loved to dislike.

One of his most famous moments of mischief involved a trick he pulled at WrestleMania. While the text doesn't go into all the details, it mentions a mysterious debut in 1992 and a WrestleMania trick, along with other creepy clown moments. These instances of unexpected trickery and unsettling behavior were, more or less, what defined his time as a villainous character. He truly excelled at making people uncomfortable and unsure of what he would do next, using his clown persona to, in a way, hide a truly mischievous nature.

Doink the Clown's Matches and Rivals

Doink the Clown, like any professional wrestling character, was involved in many matches and had a number of rivals throughout his time in the ring. The information available mentions that you can find out about his signature moves, the wrestlers he competed against, and the various matches he participated in by looking at his profile on WWE.com. These details, you know, help paint a picture of his career inside the squared circle and how he interacted with other wrestling figures.

When we look at a wrestling profile, such as the one for Doink the Clown, we can often find a lot of interesting details. This includes his career history, which organizations he worked for, and even how his character changed from being a "face," or a good guy, to a "heel," or a bad guy, and back again. For Doink, he started as a rather vicious villain, which, basically, set the tone for his early appearances and the kinds of matches he would have.

His profile also gives information about the titles he might have won, his finishing moves, and even the theme songs he used, which, as we discussed, were quite memorable. It also covers any tag teams or groups he was a part of, how his appearance changed over the years, and other specific information about his wrestling life. This kind of data, you see, helps fans and people interested in wrestling to get a very complete picture of a character's journey, including Doink the Clown's path through the wrestling world.

Doink the Clown's Legacy and Later Appearances

Doink the Clown, while perhaps a bit of a joke now for some, was, in fact, one of the World Wrestling Federation's most original and promising villain characters at one point. He wasn't just another bad guy; his clown persona and his unique way of causing trouble truly made him stand out. The character, you know, left a lasting impression, even if his role changed over time from a serious threat to more of a lighthearted presence. His early days showed a lot of potential for a truly unsettling and memorable character.

Even after his main run in the big wrestling organizations, the Doink character continued to make appearances. You can, for instance, find him occasionally on the independent wrestling circuit in the United States. This means that the character, in a way, has lived on, being brought back by different wrestlers for various shows. It's a testament to how unique and recognizable the clown persona was, allowing it to have a life beyond its original creators and main stage appearances.

For those who want to see more of Doink the Clown's history, there are resources available. You can check out his WWE alumni profile, which, basically, provides a look back at his career highlights and his time with the company. This allows fans to revisit the character's past and see how he was presented during his most prominent years. It's a good way to remember the inimitable Doink the Clown and his unique contribution to wrestling history, even if his later appearances were, you know, more sporadic.

What Was the Story Behind Matt Borne, Doink the Clown?

The story of Matt Osborne, the original Doink the Clown, is, in some respects, a complex one, going beyond his time in the wrestling ring. A documentary from Vice, for example, explores his life, including his struggles and his final moments. This kind of look into his personal journey helps us, you know, understand the man behind the makeup and the character. It touches on aspects like a troubled childhood and issues with substance abuse, painting a more complete, if also a bit sad, picture of his life.

The mystery surrounding his final hours is also something that has been explored, giving people a deeper insight into the challenges he faced outside of wrestling. It's a reminder that while we see these larger-than-life characters in the ring, there are real people with real lives and real struggles behind them. The information available about Matt Osborne's life and his match history can also be found at the Internet Wrestling Database, which, basically, provides a factual record of his professional career.

The "Dark Side of the Ring" series, which looks at the less bright parts of wrestling history, also featured an episode focusing on Matt Borne. This episode, you know, explores his story, including his feelings about still wrestling as Doink the Clown in his later years. It shows him turning up at an independent show in Arkansas in 2012, with, apparently, mixed feelings about continuing to perform as the character. This particular episode helps shed light on the personal cost and the enduring legacy of a man who was, in a way, lost to the nineties but left a lasting mark on wrestling.

This article has given you a look into Doink the Clown, from his start as a mischievous character in professional wrestling, to the various individuals who portrayed him. We covered his unique appearance, his villainous pranks, and his memorable entrance music. We also touched upon the life of Matt Osborne, the first person to bring Doink to life, and the complexities of his personal journey, as well as the character's continued presence in the wrestling world.

Photos: See a dozen of WWE's most disturbing Superstars ever | Doink
Photos: See a dozen of WWE's most disturbing Superstars ever | Doink
ArtStation - Doink the clown
ArtStation - Doink the clown
Evil Clowns Real Life
Evil Clowns Real Life

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