A pro wrestling Clown that ran in the WWF (now WWE) from late 1992 to early 1996. The gimmick was originally an evil, psychotic clown played by Matt Borne, best known for his work in Portland and in Mid-South during the 1980s. This
Doink spawned several other
Doinks. The second Doink, also evil, was played by Steve Keirn, best known for his work in Florida and Memphis with Stan Lane as the Fabulous Ones during the 1980s. These Doinks feuded with Crush (formerly of Demolition; real name
Bryan Adams, most recently of the team
Kronik). Doink started getting bigger face (good guy) reactions from the crowd and was turned face. Steve Lombardi, best known as the
Brooklyn Brawler, took over the gimmick for a short time, until Gary Fall, aka Ray Apollo or Ray Licaccelli, took over the gimmick full-time. Doink turning face is generally considered to be the moment when the Doink gimmick lost its edge and its coolness. The addition of his midget sidekick Dink didn't help matters. The good Doink feuded with Bam Bam
Bigelow, who deserved better. Other wrestlers who have donned the Doink disguise at one point or another are
Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, Dusty Wolfe, the Bushwhackers, Men on a Mission and Midwest indy workers Terek the Great and Truth Martini.
At WWF
WrestleMania IX,
Doink the Clown (Matt Borne) d. Crush with help from a second Doink (Steve Keirn).
