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Portland Wrestling Legend 'Tough' Tony Borne Dies

Posted: Aug 28th 2010 By: mikeiles

Territorial wrestling veteran "Tough" Tony Borne passed away this morning at his Milwaukie, Oregon, home this morning. He was 83.

Borne became a wrestling star in the 1950's and 1960's, most famously in the Pacific Northwest, teaming with Lonnie Mayne, also known as Moondog Mayne, to become one of the most famous combinations in that territory. The duo held the Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title on 11 occasions. Borne had a series of memorable matches against AWA World Champion Verne Gagne, competed for the NWA World Title against Gene Kiniski and Lou Thesz, and had an impact on up and coming wrestlers who spent time in the Pacific Northwest, including Rick Martel and WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

Borne's son Matt followed his father into pro wrestling, competing as Big Josh in WCW and as the original Doink the Clown in the World Wrestling Federation. Borne's daughter was briefly married to Playboy Buddy Rose, a situation which was turned into a wrestling angle.

Tags: Tony Borne, AWA, Verne Gagne, NWA, Lou Thesz, WWE, Roddy Piper, Matt Borne, Big Josh, Doink the Clown, WWF