Tony Borne
American professional wrestler (1926–2010)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthony Wayne Osborne (July 13, 1926 – August 27, 2010) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Tough" Tony Borne.[1]
July 13, 1926[1]
Borne, circa 1960 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anthony Wayne Osborne July 13, 1926[1] Columbus, Ohio, U.S.[1] |
| Died | August 27, 2010 (aged 84)[1] Oak Grove, Oregon, U.S. |
| Children | Matt Osborne |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name | Tony Borne |
| Billed height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1] |
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)[1] |
| Trained by | Ali Pasha[1] Karl Pojello[1] |
| Debut | September 23, 1952 |
| Retired | 1981 |
Professional wrestling career
Osborne was an amateur wrestler in both high school and in the United States Navy.[1] Promoter Al Haft first convinced him to try professional wrestling.[1] His initial trainers were Ali Pasha and Karl Pojello.[1] Pojello convinced Osborne to shorten his ring name to Borne.[1]
In the 1950s, he wrestled mostly in Texas and Pacific Northwest territories, becoming a mainstay in the NWA Pacific Northwest under promoter Don Owen.[1] in 1953, he had a stint in Mexico, where he wrestled the Blue Demon.[1]
Throughout his career he wrestled for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Pat O'Connor, Gene Kiniski and Lou Thesz.[2] In the early 1960s in the Omaha territory for promoter Joe Dusek, Osborne had matches with AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne. He influenced up-and-coming wrestlers who spent time in the Pacific Northwest such as Roddy Piper, Rick Martel, Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver, Lonnie Mayne and Billy Jack Haynes.
After his son Matt became a professional wrestler, the duo worked occasionally as a tag team.[1]
Personal life
Osborne married Nona Faye Muller in 1955, and was the father of late professional wrestler Matt Osborne.[1] After retiring from professional wrestling, Osborne prospered in real estate.[1] A pacemaker was inserted in his heart in August 2010, but he died at his home on August 27 of that year.[1]
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- NWA All-Star Wrestling
- NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (2 times) – with John Tolos
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Vancouver version) (1 time) – with John Tolos
- Pacific Northwest Wrestling
- NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (9 times)
- NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (20 times) – with Ed Francis (1), Shag Thomas (2), Pat Patterson (1), Jay York (1), Professor Hiro (1), Mr. Fuji (1), Moondog Mayne (11), Tony Marino (1) and The Skull (1)
- Ring Around The Northwest Newsletter
- Southwest Sports/World Class Championship Wrestling
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (4 times)[4][5]
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Danny McShain (1) and Don Manoukian (1)[6][7]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ivan the Terrible[8][9]
- Superstar Championship Wrestling
- SCW Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Moondog Mayne
