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 (left) throwing an opponent out of the ring.
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. 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. Rodgers, Mike (2004). "Regional Territories: PNW #16". KayfabeMemories.com.
  3. 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.
  4. "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  5. 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.
  6. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  7. 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.
  8. "National Wrestling Alliance World Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
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