Matt Borne | Morphine & Hydrocodone Overdose Death

On June 28, 2013, Matt Borne was found dead in his Plano, Texas, home at the age of 55. His official cause of death was listed as a morphine and hydrocodone drug overdose, while a preexisting enlarged heart was another factor in his death.

Before his death, Matt Borne was a professional wrestler, known mostly by his ring names Big Josh, Borne Again, and Doink the Clown. 

His gimmick as a high-flying wrestling superstar, clad in full clown attire, earned him acclaim in the wrestling world of the early 1990’s. While other wrestlers such as Steve Keirn and Ray Apollo would also play Doink the Clown, Borne’s performance would ultimately be the most memorable.

Outside of his wrestling career, Borne struggled with polysubstance abuse for decades. His wrestling peers remember him as a troubled but hardworking man. Borne is one of countless wrestlers who passed away at an early age due to alcohol or drug abuse.

Matt Borne’s Life & Career

Born Matt Wade Osborne on July 27, 1957, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Borne was the son of Tony Borne, a Pacific Northwest wrestling star. Matt Borne wrestled in high school and made his professional wrestling debut for Portland Wrestling shortly after.

Borne found success early in his career as part of the three-man tag team the Rat Pack, alongside Ted DiBiase and Jim Duggan. He won multiple heavyweight championships during his time with Mid-South Wrestling before donning a new persona with World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Doink The Clown

As the WCW lumberjack and outdoorsman Big Josh, Borne drew fans in with his over-the-top character. 

This stage of his career may have been a transition from serious wrestling to his eventual persona with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) organization, Doink the Clown. 

As Doink, Borne found success with his on-stage pranks and antics while feuding with Mr. Perfect and “Crush” Adams, performances that would ultimately define his legacy.

Borne wrestled briefly as Borne Again with the USWA and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) organization, and retired shortly after. 

He had personal run-ins with various figures in his later life, including an altercation with former wrestling partner and Hall of Fame member Jim Duggan.

How Matt Borne Died

On June 28, 2013, Matt Borne’s girlfriend found him dead in his Plano home. Coroners ruled his cause of death as a polysubstance overdose due to morphine and hydrocodone, two opiate painkillers.

Borne also had a chronically enlarged heart, which professionals believe may have been a factor in his overdose death. He was survived by his girlfriend and four children.

Matt Borne’s History Of Substance Abuse & Rehab

Matt Borne himself, along with people close to him, spoke of Borne’s long history of polysubstance abuse, which involved both illicit drugs and alcohol.

According to Borne, he was fired from WWE because he was smoking marijuana. Borne’s friend and fellow wrestler Stuart Kemp stated that Borne also abused cocaine and alcohol. Kemp also told interviewers that Borne was serious about recovering from his chronic drug abuse.

Rehab

Before his death, Borne spoke in interviews about attending a substance abuse rehab program in Pennsylvania. He discussed the urge he felt to keep his substance abuse a secret, before acknowledging the role that public support plays in successful recovery programs.

Recovery Is Possible

Matt Borne’s attempts to seek help may have been unsuccessful in preventing an overdose. Drug abuse problems require intensive, comprehensive care to maximize your chances at recovery.

To learn how we can help make recovery possible for yourself or a loved one, please contact us today.