Tony Halme

Tony Halme
Tony Halme in 1994
Ring name(s)	The Viking[1][2] Finland Thor[3] Finnish Hellraiser Thor[2] Tony Halme[1][2] Ludvig Borga[1][2]
Billed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1][3]
Billed weight	300 lb (140 kg; 21 st)[1]
Born	(1963-01-06)January 6, 1963[2][3] Helsinki, Finland[3]
Died	January 8, 2010(2010-01-08) (aged 47)[2][3] Helsinki, Finland
Billed from	Helsinki, Finland
Trained by	Verne Gagne[1]
Debut	1989[2]
Retired	1997[2]

Tony Christian Halme^[1][2][3] (January 6, 1963 – January 8, 2010) was a Finnish politician, athlete, author and actor. Halme was a member of the Finnish Parliament from 2003 to 2007, representing the True Finns party. He was also known by the pseudonym Viikinki he used while appearing in Gladiaattorit, a Finnish version of the TV game show Gladiators, in the 1990s. He was also 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.

[edit] Professional wrestling career

[edit] Early years (1989–1990)

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.

[edit] Universal Wrestling Federation (1990)

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][4] He then went on to defeat Kevin Benjamin.

[edit] New Japan Pro Wrestling (1990–1993)

On December 26, 1990, Halme debuted in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling after defeating Shinya Hashimoto in a boxer versus wrestler match.^[3][5] On April 30, 1991, Halme defeated Seiji Aoyagi in a boxer versus karate match.^[3][6] In 1992, Halme was teamed in matches with Scott Norton, Bam Bam Bigelow and Barry Windham.^[3][7] He also competed in the NJPW Super Grade Tag League II teaming with Masahiro Chono, together scoring 8 points and finishing fourth overall.^[3][8] The tournament was won by Shinya Hashimoto and Riki Chōshū.^[8] On November 22, 1992, Halme and Norton won the IWGP Tag Team Championship from The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott).^[3][7][9] 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.^[3][7]

On December 14, Halme and Norton lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to the Hell Raisers (Hawk Warrior and Power Warrior).^[9] 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.^[3][10] On February 16, 1993, Halme got a shot for the IWGP Tag Team Championship, where he was teamed up with Matthew Rambo against the Hell Raisers for the title. However, Halme and Rambo lost the match.^[3][11] On June 17, Halme wrestled his last match in NJPW, as he teamed up with The Barbarian and lost to John Tenta and Haku.^[3][11]

[edit] World Wrestling Federation (1993–1994)

On July 6, 1993 television tapings of Superstars (aired July 2), Halme debuted in the World Wrestling Federation as Ludwig Borge (later Ludvig Borga), beginning a streak of easy victories over enhancement talent.^[12] He had the heel gimmick of a foreigner who was Anti-American because of America's perceived deficiencies in issues such as its environmental laws and educational system. His entrance music was Maamme, the Finnish national anthem. At SummerSlam, Borga defeated former Intercontinental Champion Marty Jannetty.^[3][13] Borga then ascended straight to main event status against the "All-American" Lex Luger. On 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.^[12] 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).^[14] Borga and Luger were the final two remaining participants and Borga was eliminated by Luger after a running forearm smash.^[14] On December 14, Borga defeated Razor Ramon at a house show to win the Intercontinental Championship. 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 and Borga pinned Razor again to win the title. However, the decision was reversed, making Razor the winner.^[1][15] On January 17, 1994, Borga injured his ankle in a match with Rick Steiner. This injury forced the WWF to cancel plans for Borga, including his scheduled appearance at the Royal Rumble and a proposed WrestleMania match with Earthquake, and he left the WWF soon after.^[16]

[edit] Catch Wrestling Association (1995–1997)

He wrestled for Catch Wrestling Association in 1995. On December 20, Borga won the World Heavyweight Championship, his first and only singles championship, by defeating Rambo. After holding the title for over a year, Borga lost it back to Rambo on December 21, 1996.^[17]

[edit] Mixed martial arts

After retiring from professional wrestling in 1997, Halme went on to fight in the RINGS and Ultimate Fighting Championship, though without appreciable success, losing to Randy Couture.^[3]

[edit] Political career

During his parliamentary career, Halme raised controversies. The day after the elections, Halme referred to President Tarja 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.^[18]

[edit] Personal life

Halme was divorced from his wife Katja Talus. 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 factor in the incident. His blood contained trace amounts of amphetamine and illegal steroids were also found in his apartment. Halme claimed 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,^[19] 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 spending almost the entire year of 2006 on sick leave, he went on disability pension at end of the Parliamentary term.

In December 2009, Halme told a newspaper that he was suffering from impairment of his short-term memory and had trouble remembering anything, but was still trying to write a book of his political career.^[20]

[edit] Death

On January 8, 2010, Halme died of self-inflicted gunshot wound from an unlicensed handgun he used.^[21] His body was found two days later. Following his death, Jim Ross in an article with The Sun stated: "I won't speak at length about those that have passed away but Tony obviously had issues and was not a great guy to be around. Perhaps others have a different view of this man but I personally found him to be somewhat obnoxious and he could be a bully if allowed to be such. "Guys like Halme don't mix well in any locker room and need to be removed from the 'team' sooner than later." Ross added: "I still feel badly about the last years of Tony's life as things really unraveled for him seemingly due to alcohol and drug issues.^[22]

[edit] Other media

Halme authored five books and recorded one album called Mestarit salilla. Halme had a modest film career starring in Finnish movies Ponterosa and Kohtalon kirja, and in 1995 had a small role overseas in Die Hard with a Vengeance. Halme was also cast in a minor role in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic but had to withdraw due to a filming delay.^[23]

• 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 (2010, posthumously) (Title translation: The Testament)^[24]

• Albums
  • Mestarit salilla (Title translation: The champions at the gym) (2001)

• 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)

• Video games

In 1993 Halme's professional wrestling persona was part of the Japanese wrestling video game Shin Nippon Pro Wrestling: Chou Senshi in Tokyo Dome^[25] for Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). The game was developed and published by Varie and was never localized outside of Japan. The game is a licensed product of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

[edit] In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Backbreaker rack^{[1][2][3][26]}

• Signature moves
  • Gutbuster drop^[1]
  • Military press gutbuster^[1]
  • Power Clothesline (clothesline)^[26]
  • Stiff punches^[1]

• Entrance themes
  • "Maamme" by Jim Johnston

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

• Catch Wrestling Association
  • CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[17]
• New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scott Norton^[9]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #145 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1993^[3]

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

[edit] Mixed martial arts record

Result	Opponent	Method	Rd.	Time	Date	Event	Notes
Loss	Randy Couture	Submission (rear naked choke)	1	1:00	May 30, 1997	UFC 13: Ultimate Force	Heavyweight tournament semifinals.
Loss	Dick Vrij	TKO (Doctor Stoppage)	1	2:42	Apr 22, 1997	Rings - Extension Fighting 2
Loss	Mitsuya Nagai	N/A	-	-	Jan 24, 1996	Rings - Budokan Hall 1996[27]
Loss	Dick Vrij	TKO	1	2:43	Aug 27, 1995	Rising Series: Hazuki
Loss	Volk Han	Submission	1	6:36	Jul 19, 1995	Rising Series: Fumizuki[28]
Loss	Dick Vrij	KO	1	2:55	Jan 25, 1995	Rings - Budokan Hall 1995
Loss	Akira Maeda	Submission	1	6:21	Nov 19, 1994	Mega Battle Tournament 1994: Third Round[29]
Win	Bitsadze Tariel	KO	1	4:19	Oct 22, 1994	Mega Battle Tournament 1994: Second Round
Win	Dimitri Petrov	KO	1	5:14	Sep 21, 1994	Mega Battle Tournament 1994: First Round
Win	Thomas Lurosi	KO	1	2:05	Aug 20, 1994	Rings 1994 in Yokohama

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Tony Halme

• Tony Halme at the Internet Movie Database
• Professional MMA record for Tony Halme from Sherdog
• Professional boxing record for Tony Halme from BoxRec
• Tony Halme on UFC.com