Tony Halme

Infobox Wrestler
name=Tony Halme


names=The Viking
Tony Halme
Ludvig Borga
height=height|ft=6|in=3cite web|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/borga.html|title=Ludvig Borga Bio|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Accelerator 3359]
weight=convert|275|lb|kg st|abbr=on
birth_date=birth date and age|1963|1|6
death_date=
birth_place=Helsinki, Finland
death_place=
resides=Helsinki, Finland
billed=Helsinki, Finland
trainer=Verne Gagne
debut=October 29, 1990
retired=March 2003|

Tony Christian Halme (born January 6, 1963) is a former member of the Finnish Parliament, representing the True Finns party. He is also known by the pseudonym "Viikinki" he used while appearing in the Finnish version of the TV game show "American Gladiators" in the 1990s. 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.

Biography

Athletic 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 Charlie Gergan in boxing and Verne Gagne as a powerhouse professional wrestler. He made his professional wrestling debut for Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) on October 29, 1990 as The Viking. In his first match, he defeated The Patriot.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/l/ludvig-borga.html|title=Ludvig Borga Profile|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] cite web|url=http://herbabramsuwf.googlepages.com/episodeguide1990.htm|title=UWF 1990 Episode Guide|accessdate=2008-01-12|publisher=Herb Abrams' UWF]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (1990-1993)

On December 26, 1990, Halme debuted in Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling defeating Shinya Hashimoto in a boxer vs. wrestler match.cite web|url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results90.php|title=NJPW 1990 results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] On April 30, 1991, Halme defeated Seiji Aoyagi in a boxer vs. karate match.cite web|url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results91.php|title=NJPW 1991 results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] In 1992, Halme was teamed/placed in matches with Scott Norton, Bam Bam Bigelow and Barry Windham.cite web|url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results92.php|title=NJPW 1992 results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] He also competed in the NJPW Super Grade Tag League II teaming with Masa Chono scoring 8 points with fourth position.cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/sg-tag.html#92|title=Super Grade Tag League II|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] The tournament was won by Shinya Hashimoto and Riki Chōshū. However, Halme became successful in his career for the first time winning his first wrestling title. On November 22, 1992, Halme teamed up with fellow powerhouse Scott Norton to win the IWGP World Tag Team Championship from Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott).cite web|url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/history/tagtitle.php|title=IWGP World Tag Team Championship title history|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] 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.

On December 14, Halme and Norton lost the IWGP World Tag Team Championship to Hell Raisers (Hawk Warrior and Power Warrior). 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.cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/tokyodome90.html#93|title=Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments] 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 titles. However, Halme and Rambo lost the match.cite web|url=http://puroresufan.com/njpw/results93.php|title=NJPW 1993 results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Strong Style Spirit] On June 17, Halme wrestled his last match in NJPW where he teamed up with The Barbarian and lost to John Tenta and Haku.

World Wrestling Federation (1993-1994)

On July 6, 1993 television tapings of "Superstars" (aired July 24), Halme debuted in World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as powerhouse Ludvig Borga, beginning a streak of squash match victories over enhancement talent.cite web|first=Graham|last=Cawthon|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/superstars.htm|title=Superstars results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Angelfire] 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 1993", Borga achieved his first notable victory, defeating former Intercontinental Champion Marty Jannetty. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/history/1993/results|title=SummerSlam 1993 official results|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=WWE] Borga then ascended straight to main event status against the "All-American" Lex Luger. On September 28, 1993 edition of "Superstars" (aired October 30), Borga ended Tatanka's undefeated streak of nearly 2 years, pinning him with one finger (after hitting him with a steel chair while the referee was distracted). At "Survivor Series 1993", 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).cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1993/mainevent/|title=Survivor Series 1993 main event|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=WWE] Borga and Luger were the final two remaining participants and Borga was eliminated by Luger after a running forearm smash. On December 14, Borga defeated Razor Ramon at a house show to win the Intercontinental Championship after pinning him with a 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.cite web|first=Graham|last=Cawthon|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/93.htm|title=Ring Results: 1993|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=The History of WWE] 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 "Royal Rumble 1994", and he left the WWF soon after.cite web|title=Ring Results: 1994|accessdate=2008-05-27|last=Cawthon|first=Graham|url=http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/94.htm|publisher=The History of WWE]

Catch Wrestling Association (1995)

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.cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/europe/austria/cwa/eu-cwa-h.html|title=C.W.A. World Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2008-01-13|publisher=Great Hisa's Puroresu Dojo] 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.

Political career

Halme does not hide his nativist views and tends to speak in a rash, direct manner, which tends to catch the public ear. He has 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 believe the "Halme phenomenon" to be a form of protest, but some fear this marks 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. [ [http://ranneliike.net/artikkelit.php?alue=tapaushalme&juttu=erikoiset ranneliike.net: ] ]

In July 2003, a handgun was fired inside his 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, [ [http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040130IE3 HS Home 30.1.2004 - Four-month suspended sentence for MP Tony Halme ] ] but continued to serve as Member of Parliament. In 2006 he was convicted on 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.

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 .

*Books:*"Jumala armahtaa, minä en" (1998) (Title translation: God Has Mercy, I Don't):*"Tuomiopäivä" (2001) (Title translation: The Judgement Day):*"Viikingin voimaopas" (2003) (Title translation: The Viking's strength guide):*"Kovan päivän ilta" (2003) (Title translation: A Hard Day's Night)

*Albums:*"Mestarit salilla" (Title translation: The champions in the house) (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)

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*Backbreaker rack:*Flying clothesline, sometimes from the top rope:*Delayed vertical suplex:*Falling powerslam:*Gutbuster drop:*Military press gutbuster:*Running elbow drop:*Stiff punches

*Nicknames
**Hellraiser from Helsinki

Championships and accomplishments

*Catch Wrestling Association:*CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*New Japan Pro Wrestling:*IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scott Norton

In boxing

Professional boxing record

In mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

MMArecordbox
wins=0
losses=1
ko-wins=0
ko-losses=0
sub-wins=0
sub-losses=1
dec-wins=0
dec-losses=0
draws=0

References

External links

*imdb|0356844