Posts Tagged ‘Doink the Clown’

Both Wrongful Death Lawsuits Against WWE Dismissed by Federal Judge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdwerg08haQ

WWE got a major win in court late on Thursday, as as Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut dismissed both wrongful death lawsuits outstanding against the company. The lawsuits had been filed by Konstantine Kyros, the same attorney behind the other concussion-themed cases against WWE, on behalf of Cassandra Frazier, the widow of Nelson “Mabel/Viscera/Big Daddy V” Frazier Jr. and Michelle James, who Matt “Matt Borne/original Doink” Osborne had a child with.

Neither wrestler’s brain had been preserved for an examination to determine if they had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and neither death had any kind of head or brain trauma listed as a contributing cause on their death certificates. Frazier died of a heart attack (although no autopsy was performed) and Osborne succumbed to a drug overdose. Frazier was very overweight, as he had been for his whole career, while Borne had well-known issues with drug addiction going back to early in his career.

Curiously, the Frazier complaint was the only one of Kyros’ numerous brain injury lawsuits against WWE not to mention that CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem. Since Frazier was cremated with no autopsy conducted, it literally can’t ever be proven one way or another if he had CTE. This was one of a few things where Bryant appeared to take issue with the plaintiffs’ tactics. Other such notes include:

  • “The Court notes, in particular, the facially specious assertions by Plaintiffs’ counsel that, ‘upon information and belief,’ both Frazier and Osborne ‘had CTE.’ The complaints contain no information from which such a belief could be derived.”
  • “It is impossible to plausibly allege, much less prove that either wrestler had CTE. Kyros and his co-counsels’ assertion that either wrestler had the condition ‘upon information and belief’ must therefore be knowingly false.”
  • “[C]ounsel’s allegation that Frazier’s ‘inability to survive the heart attack’ can be ‘more likely than not attributed’ to his CTE is yet another bald and baseless allegation, unprovable and unsupportable, which the Court deems unworthy of the barest measure of credibility.”

In the end, the James/Osborne case was officially dismissed because James lacked standing as not being the executor of Osborne’s estate. As for Frazier, that case was dismissed because the plaintiffs did not argue “specific facts” supporting the allegations that his death stemmed from in-ring injuries or any kind of potential fraudulent conduct on WWE’s part.

WWE had also moved to have Kyros sanctioned for violating Rule 11, which requires that attorneys have some kind of evidence supporting their allegations before filing suit.While the court denied the motion, Bryant did acknowledge “Kyros’ habit of deceptive and inflammatory rhetoric,” use of “deliberately misleading language,” “vexatious and transparent attempt to circumvent two prior decisions by district courts”

Video: Big Show Talks About Doink The Clown’s Lawsuit Against WWE

TMZ Sports recently caught up with Big Show to ask him about the wrongful death lawsuit filed against WWE by the family of Matt Osbourne, who was most popular in WWE as Doink The Clown.

Show noted that everyone who steps in the ring knows what could happen and by knowing that ahead of time, you accept that responsibility. Show said he has nothing but good things to say about WWE because he’s seen how the company goes above and beyond to take care of their talents.

TMZ also asked Big Show about his eating, to which Show said fans would be surprised at how little he actually eats on a daily basis.

WWE Attorney Responds To Lawsuit Filed By Family Of Doink The Clown

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt has publicly responded to the latest lawsuit brought against WWE, one filed by the family of the late Matt Osbourne, better known to 1990s WWE fans as the character “Doink The Clown.”

According to McDevitt, Osbourne’s family, much like the other families of former WWE performers are, “being targeted by attorneys who tell [wrestlers and their families] there’s hundreds of thousands of dollars” to be made from lawsuits similar to those recently filed against the National Football League (NFL).

Additionally, McDevitt stated that the lawsuits have no merit, noting, “They’re all different from the NFL. We never had anyone claim they had these kinds of injuries until [these attorneys] did it. They find the destitute, people who have no money, and told them there’s money to be made. That’s what is going on. … And I feel bad for these families, because they think they’ll make money off of this, and they’re not.”

For more information regarding the lawsuit, visit DallasNews.com.


NEW PHOTO GALLERY: CONTROVERSIAL Pics Of RONDA ROUSEY In SKIMPY Outfits


Family Of The Original Doink The Clown Files Lawsuit Against WWE

The family of the late Matt Osbourne, who wrestled — among other monikers — as Matt Borne, and was most infamously known as the original “Doink The Clown” character in WWE during the 1990s, filed a lawsuit against WWE in Dallas, Texas on Friday.

According to The Dallas Morning News website, the suit alleges brain injuries and other issues suffered while working for WWE led to his death in June of 2013.

The majority of the lawsuit is said to be very similar to the suits filed against WWE by Billy Jack Haynes and Cassandra Frazier, the widow of the late Nelson Frazier Jr. (Big Daddy V).

Allegedly, the lawsuit filed by the Osbourne family incorrectly claims that he began professional wrestling in 1985 after he was approached by WWE promoter Vince McMahon, when in fact he got into the business after approaching his own father about transitioning into pro wrestling after achieving success as an amateur wrestler.

For more information regarding the lawsuit, visit DallasNews.com.


NEW PHOTO GALLERY: CONTROVERSIAL Pics Of RONDA ROUSEY In SKIMPY Outfits


New Information Released On Matt “Doink the Clown” Osborne’s Death On Friday

NBC News in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas is reporting that Matt Osborne, who portrayed Doink the Clown for WWE in 1992 and 1993, died at an area hospital on Friday—not his girlfriend’s residence as widely reported.

Osborne, 55, was transported to the hospital after his girlfriend found him unresponsive inside their apartment in Plano, Texas.

Police are investigating Osborne’s death and believe it to be “accidental.”

The day before his death, Osborne expressed excitement over the summer season via Facebook. He wrote, “I HAVE SOO MUCH GOING ON THIS SUMMER dON’T KNOW IF i’M COMING OR GOING! bUT……THATS THE WAY HU HUH i LIKE IT HU HUH HU HUH! mISS MY BROTHERS!!!!”

CM Punk Thinks A TNA Wrestler Is “Great”, Natalya Pays Tribute To Shawn Michaels, Raw Slam of the Week

– CM Punk conducted a Q&A session on Twitter on Saturday night where he endorsed a TNA wrestler.

An Austin Aries fan asked, “Thoughts on “A Double”, Austin Aries? Or you’re not allowed to talk about the other company?” Punk responded, “I think he’s great!”

Punk also fielded a question on the passing of Matt Osborne, who portrayed Doink the Clown. He wrote, “sucks of course.”

– Throughout 2013 for WWE Magazine, the WWE Divas are paying tribute to the wrestlers of yesteryear by channeling their trademark wardrobe in photo shoots. In the latest installment, Natalya honors former Hart family nemesis Shawn Michaels by donning an outfit akin to the initial “Heartbreak Kid” look. To view the photos, click here.

– The return of Christian on Raw is highlighted in the latest WWE Raw Slam of the Week.

Texas Police Investigating Matt “Doink the Clown” Osborne’s Death As Homicide

Law enforcement officials in Plano, Texas are investigating the death of Matt Osborne, who famously portrayed the Doink the Clown character for WWE in 1992 and 1993, as a homicide.

This is according to TMZ.com, with the belief that it is a standard operating procedure. According to the website, all early indications are that his death was accidental.

Osborne’s girlfriend reportedly found Osborne dead in her home, where he had been residing as of late. No weapons were found on the scene and an autopsy is pending.

To read TMZ.com’s article on the death of Osborne, click here.

Wrestler Who Originally Portrayed Doink the Clown Dies – WWE Issues Statement

F4Wonline.com and PWInsider.com reported this afternoon that Matt Osborne, who originally portrayed Doink the Clown on WWE programming in the early-1990’s, was found dead today by his girlfriend. WWE has issued a statement regarding his passing.

“Reports indicate that Matt Osborne, aka the original Doink the Clown, has passed away. A rugged brawler in promotions like Mid-South Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling, Osborne made a major impact in WWE under the greasepaint of a prankster named Doink — one of the most enduring personas of the early ’90s.

“WWE is saddened by the news of Osborne’s passing. Our deepest condolences go out to Osborne’s family, friends and fans.”

The sports-entertainment organization is celebrating Osborne’s time as Doink the Clown, with a a look at his greatest moments as well as a photo retrospective. WWE is also asking fans to share their memories of Doink the Clown on the WWE Classics Facebook page.

Osborne was 55-years-old.