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Tony Halme

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Tony Halme
File:TonyHALME-famous.jpg
Born(1963-01-06)January 6, 1963
Helsinki, Finland
DiedJanuary 10, 2010(2010-01-10) (aged 47)
Helsinki, Finland
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Viking
Finland Thor
Tony Halme
Ludvig Borga
Billed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[1][2]
Billed weight300 lb (140 kg; 21 st)
Trained byVerne Gagne
DebutOctober 29, 1990
RetiredMarch 2003

Tony Christian Halme (January 6, 1963 – January 10, 2010) was a member of the Finnish Parliament, representing the True Finns party. He was also known by the pseudonym Viikinki he used while appearing in the Finnish version of the TV game show American Gladiators in the 1990s (Gladiaattorit). He has also been a professional wrestler best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Federation under the name Ludvig Borga, an MMA fighter and a professional boxer who held the Finnish Heavyweight Championship.

Professional wrestling career

Universal Wrestling Federation (1990)

His earlier career in show-fighting and boxing have given Halme a "tough guy" image, enhanced by well-publicized instances when he defended himself in bar brawls. Halme was trained by Verne Gagne as a powerhouse professional wrestler. He made his professional wrestling debut for Herb Abrams's Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) on October 29, 1990 as The Viking. In his first match, he defeated The Patriot.[1][3]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1990–1993)

On December 26, 1990, Halme debuted in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) defeating Shinya Hashimoto in a boxer versus wrestler match.[2][4] On April 30, 1991, Halme defeated Seiji Aoyagi in a boxer versus karate match.[2][5] In 1992, Halme was teamed/placed in matches with Scott Norton, Bam Bam Bigelow and Barry Windham.[2][6] He also competed in the NJPW Super Grade Tag League II teaming with Masahiro Chono scoring 8 points, and finished in fourth position.[2][7] The tournament was won by Shinya Hashimoto and Riki Chōshū.[7] On November 22, 1992, Halme teamed up with fellow powerhouse Scott Norton to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship from The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott), which was his first title.[2][6][8] However, the next night, Halme and Norton were forced to face each other with separate tag team partners with Halme and Ron Powers losing to Norton and TNT.[2][6]

On December 14, Halme and Norton lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Hell Raisers (Hawk Warrior and Power Warrior).[8] At Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome (in North America aired on PPV as WCW/New Japan Supershow III), Halme was featured in a match against fellow powerhouse Ron Simmons which he lost after a spinebuster.[2][9] On February 16, 1993, Halme got a shot for his second IWGP World Tag Team Championship where he was teamed up with Matthew Rambo against the champions Hell Raisers for the title. However, Halme and Rambo lost the match.[2][10] On June 17, Halme wrestled his last match in NJPW where he teamed up with The Barbarian and lost to John Tenta and Haku.[2][10]

World Wrestling Federation (1993–1994)

On July 6, 1993 television tapings of Superstars (aired July 2), Halme debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as powerhouse Ludvig Borga, beginning a streak of squash match victories over enhancement talent.[11] He had the heel gimmick of a man who disliked America because of pollution. His entrance music was Maamme, the Finnish national anthem. At SummerSlam, Borga defeated former Intercontinental Champion Marty Jannetty.[2][12] Borga then ascended straight to main event status against the "All-American" Lex Luger. On the September 28, 1993 episode of Superstars (aired October 30), Borga ended Tatanka's undefeated streak of nearly two years, pinning him with one finger (after hitting him with a steel chair while the referee was distracted).[11] At Survivor Series, Borga participated in the main event, teaming up with Yokozuna, Quebecer Jacques and Crush as the "Foreign Fanatics" against "All-Americans" (Lex Luger, The Undertaker and the Steiner Brothers).[13] Borga and Luger were the final two remaining participants and Borga was eliminated by Luger after a running forearm smash.[13] On December 14, Borga defeated Razor Ramon at a house show to win the Intercontinental Championship after pinning him with a running leaping clothesline. However, the contest continued because Razor's foot was on the bottom rope. Shawn Michaels interfered and hit Razor with a fake Intercontinental title belt. Borga pinned Razor again to win the title. However, the decision was reversed, making Razor the winner.[1][14] On January 17, 1994, Borga injured his ankle in a match with Rick Steiner. This injury forced the WWF to cancel the plans for Borga, including his scheduled appearance at the Royal Rumble, and he left the WWF soon after.[15]

Catch Wrestling Association (1995-1996)

He wrestled for Catch Wrestling Association (CWA) in 1995. On December 20, Borga won his first (and only) singles title, the CWA World Heavyweight Championship, by defeating Rambo. After holding the title for over a year, Borga lost it back to Rambo on December 21, 1996.[16]

Mixed Martial Arts career

After professional wrestling, Halme went on to fight in the RINGS and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), though without appreciable success, losing to future UFC champion and Hall of Famer Randy Couture, in both fighter's first match.[2]

Political career

Halme did not hide his nativist views and tended to speak in a rash, direct manner, which tended to catch the public ear. He also suggested that Finland should send drug dealers to Russian prisons as this would result in considerable cost savings, and a prison term in Russia would be a more effective deterrent. The populist party of True Finns took him as an independent candidate in the parliamentary elections of 2003. His share of about 17,000 votes was the 7th highest in the Helsinki parliamentary district. Most of his voters were from the poorest suburbs where unemployment is high. Some political analysts believed the Halme phenomenon to be a form of protest, but some feared this would mark the rise of a political racist right-wing movement.

During his parliamentary career, Halme raised controversies. The day after the elections, Halme referred to president Halonen as a lesbian in a radio interview. Halme stated that if a lesbian can be president of Finland and he can be a member of Parliament, anything seems possible. A huge uproar ensued as much of the Finnish media treated the statement as a personal attack on Halonen; Halonen herself made no comment. Halme later apologized, stating that he was sorry that the statement had been interpreted as an insult and that he had been under the genuine impression that Halonen was a lesbian.[17]

Personal life

In July 2003, a handgun was fired inside Halme's apartment, probably after a domestic quarrel. Nobody was hurt, but the gun was unlicensed. Halme had only days before been in a boxing match and was using prescription medication because he was in pain. The dangerous combination of drugs and alcohol was a decisive factor in the incident. His blood contained trace amounts of amphetamine. Illegal steroids were also found in his apartment. Halme said that somebody had put the illegal substance into his drink without his knowledge. He was unconscious for several days following the incident. The police searched Halme's office at the House of Parliament. In January 2004 his trial was shown live on television by the MTV3 digital television channel. Halme received a four-month suspended sentence and a fine,[18] but continued to serve as Member of Parliament. In 2006 he was convicted for driving while impaired.

In early March 2006, Halme was involuntarily committed to a mental hospital, reportedly due to delirium caused by excessive alcohol use. Earlier in 2006 he had been diagnosed with alcohol-related cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis. After being on sick leave for almost the entire year of 2006, he went on disability pension at end of the Parliamentary term.

In December 2009, Halme said in a newspaper interview that he was suffering from issues with his short-term memory and had trouble remembering anything, but was still trying to write a book of his political career.[19]

Death

On January 10, 2010, Halme was found dead in his apartment in Helsinki. The officials have not officially confirmed the cause of death, but according to various newspapers he committed suicide using an illegally acquired firearm.[20]

Other media

He has also written four books and recorded one album called Mestarit salilla. He has also starred in the Finnish movies Ponterosa and Kohtalon kirja and in 1995 had a small role overseas in Die Hard: With a Vengeance.

  • Books
  • Jumala armahtaa, minä en (1998) (Title translation: God Has Mercy, I Don't)
  • Tuomiopäivä (2001) (Title translation: The Judgment Day)
  • Viikingin voimaopas (2003) (Title translation: The Viking's strength guide)
  • Kovan päivän ilta (2003) (Title translation: A Hard Day's Night)
  • Testamentti (unfinished) (Title translation: Will)[21]
  • Albums
  • Singles
  • "I Am Ironman" (1998)
  • "Viikinki" (Title translation: "The Viking") (1999)
  • "Mä oon tällainen" (Title translation: "I am like this") (2000)
  • "Painu pelle hiiteen" (Title translation: "Sod off, clown") (2001)
  • "Isätön poika" (Title translation: "The fatherless son") (2002)

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

Professional boxing record

13 Wins (10 knockouts, 3 decisions), 6 Losses (5 knockouts, 1 disqualification), 0 Draws [1]
Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win Kenya Chris Sirengo Unanimous decision 6   November 29, 2002   Helsinki, Finland
Loss United States Garing Lane TKO 5 (6) October 13, 2001 Copenhagen, Denmark
Win Russia Almaz Gismejev TKO 3 (8) February 20, 2001 Helsinki, Finland
Loss France Yacine Kingbo KO 2 (12) October 3, 2000 Helsinki, Finland Bout was for the vacant NBA Heavyweight title.
Win Finland Mika Kihlström KO 4 (10) April 17, 2000 Helsinki, Finland Won Finnish Heavyweight title.
Win Hungary Ferenc Deák KO 1 November 22, 1999 Helsinki, Finland
Loss Mexico Agustin Corpus KO 3 September 6, 1999 Helsinki, Finland
Win United States Iran Barkley Split decision 12 April 19, 1999 Helsinki, Finland Won vacant WBF Americas Heavyweight title.
Win United States Ken Woods KO 2 November 16, 1998 Helsinki, Finland
Loss Finland Mika Kihlström TKO 5 (10) September 14, 1998 Helsinki, Finland Lost Finnish Heavyweight title.
Win United States Terry Armstrong KO 1 March 16, 1998 Helsinki, Finland
Win Finland Jukka Järvinen KO 1 (10) September 29, 1997 Helsinki, Finland Won Finnish Heavyweight title.
Win United States Paul Genick KO 1 September 6, 1997 Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
Loss Finland Jukka Järvinen Disqualification 3 (10) September 9, 1996 Helsinki, Finland Bout was for the vacant Finnish Heavyweight title.
Win United States Robert Swenson KO 1 May 26, 1996 Helsinki, Finland
Loss United States Patrick Freeman KO 4 April 27, 1996 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Win United States Tony Messenger TKO 1 March 4, 1996 Helsinki, Finland
Win United States Archie Perry Points 5 June 26, 1995 Inglewood, California, USA
Win United States Bradford Powell KO 1 June 10, 1995 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 1
By decision 0 0
Draws 0
Result Opponent Method Rd. Time Date Event Notes
Loss United States Randy Couture Submission (rear naked choke) 1 1:00 May 30, 1997 UFC 13: Ultimate Force Heavyweight tournament semifinals.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ludvig Borga Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Ludvig Borga Bio". Accelerator 3359. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  3. ^ "UWF 1990 Episode Guide". Herb Abrams' UWF. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  4. ^ "NJPW 1990 results". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  5. ^ "NJPW 1991 results". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  6. ^ a b c "NJPW 1992 results". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  7. ^ a b "Super Grade Tag League II". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  8. ^ a b c "IWGP World Tag Team Championship title history". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  9. ^ "Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome results". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  10. ^ a b "NJPW 1993 results". Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  11. ^ a b Cawthon, Graham. "Superstars results". Angelfire. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  12. ^ "SummerSlam 1993 official results". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  13. ^ a b "Survivor Series 1993 main event". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  14. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "Ring Results: 1993". The History of WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  15. ^ Cawthon, Graham. "Ring Results: 1994". The History of WWE. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  16. ^ a b "C.W.A. World Heavyweight Title". Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  17. ^ ranneliike.net:
  18. ^ HS Home 30.1.2004 - Four-month suspended sentence for MP Tony Halme
  19. ^ Ilta-Sanomat 10.1.2010 - Tony Halme oli kirjoittamassa kirjaa
  20. ^ - Lehti: Tony Halme teki itsemurhan
  21. ^ MTV3: Tony Halmeelta jäi keskeneräinen kirja nimeltään Testamentti
  22. ^ "Finishing Moves List". Other Arena. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
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