Tony Borne

Anthony Wayne Osborne (July 13, 1926 – August 27, 2010) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Tough" Tony Borne.[1]

Tony Borne
Tony Borne, circa 1960
Birth nameAnthony Wayne Osborne
Born(1926-07-13)July 13, 1926[1]
Columbus, Ohio, United States[1]
DiedAugust 27, 2010(2010-08-27) (aged 84)[1]
Oak Grove, Oregon, United States
ChildrenMatt Osborne
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Tony Borne
Billed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Billed weight220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)[1]
Trained byAli Pasha[1]
Karl Pojello[1]
DebutSeptember 23, 1952
Retired1981

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 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

References
  1. Oliver, Greg (August 27, 2010). ""Tough" Tony Borne dead at 84". Canoe.ca. Québecor Média. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  2. Morrell, Jack (2015-09-14). "10 Next Generation Wrestlers You Didn't Know About". WhatCulture.com. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  3. Rodgers, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: PNW #16". KayfabeMemories.com.
  4. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 271. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  5. "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  6. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  7. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  8. Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Texas: NWA World Tag Team Title [Siegel, Boesch and McLemore]". Wrestling title histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  9. "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
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