The many faces of wrestling's most chaotic clown
In short: He was far more than a single man in face paint. From a villainous prankster to a multi-person psychological experiment, the Doink persona redefined wrestling's use of deception. Whether through multiple identical clowns or rotating performers, this character used chaos and trickery to transform from a hated heel into a hero.
Created to disturb viewers, Doink the Clown made his first appearance during the 31 October 1992 broadcast of WWF Superstars of Wrestling as a villainous figure. While Matt Borne is the most famous original portrayer, the character's identity was famously fluid. The persona was even conceived by Road Warrior Hawk, who envisioned a 'miserable clown' wrestling character.
The character's peak era was defined by elaborate deceptions. At WrestleMania IX, the WWF utilized a 'Doink II'—played by Steve Keirn—to confuse opponents like Crush. This escalated into a complex storyline involving a 'Doink III' to prank Randy Savage. These 'multiple Doink' angles were so chaotic that the WWF eventually sought to end them. The character's repertoire of mischief included using tripwires on Big Boss Man and using a loaded prosthetic arm against Crush.
The persona underwent a significant 'face turn' in late 1993, transitioning from a cruel prankster to a comedic hero. This shift involved new alliances, such as a partnership with the sidekick Dink, and even a 'Clowns R'Us' entourage. However, the character's stability was often disrupted by real-world events; Borne was fired in December 1993 following a failed drug test, leading to a rotating cast of performers including Ray Apollo and Steve Lombardi.
Even decades later, the clown's presence persisted through sporadic appearances. From the 2001 WrestleMania X-Seven gimmick battle royal to a brief, unidentifiable appearance at the 2020 Money in the Bank event, the character remains a recurring piece of wrestling lore, proving that even a 'miserable clown' can leave a lasting impact on the industry.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Doink the Clown
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