Credit: WWE.com
In a recent episode of Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw, WWE Hall of Famer Charles Wright, better known by his iconic ring name The Godfather, revealed a long-retired tale involving a physical confrontation with the late Ludvig Borga (real name Tony Halme). The altercation occurred during a WWE tour in Germany and was prompted by racist comments made by Borga. This rare behind-the-scenes look sheds light on the darker moments wrestlers endured off-camera.
The Incident Unfolded in a German Bar
Wright shared the story alongside wrestling legends Ron Simmons and John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL), who helped set the scene for listeners. According to JBL, the incident happened in a bar in Bremen, a northern German town where a WWE tour stop was underway. At the time, Wright was not yet wrestling as The Godfather but was portraying his earlier gimmick possibly Papa Shango or another character from that era.
Borga, known in WWE for his intimidating Finnish heel persona, made a deeply offensive racist remark toward Wright. Wright explained that Borga’s hostility wasn’t just part of a scripted character but was linked to his personal beliefs. “He was a racist,” Wright said, “and he was part of some… not KKK, but whatever group they have where he’s from.” Gerald Brisco interjected, identifying the group as the Nazis, given Borga’s notorious history with Nazi tattoos and extremist views.
Wright did not let the comment slide. “He said something stupid to me, and I reacted,” he admitted plainly. Simmons confirmed the physicality of the exchange by adding, “Well, his ass was down now.” JBL, who witnessed the aftermath, described Borga as a “tough guy” but noted he backed down after the initial incident, unwilling to escalate the fight with Wright.
Ludvig Borga’s Controversial Reputation in Wrestling
The late Tony Halme, wrestling as Ludvig Borga, is remembered as a complex and controversial figure in WWE history. His character was a Finnish anti-American heel, deployed during the early 1990s when WWE relied heavily on “foreign menace” gimmicks to generate heat. Borga famously ended the undefeated streak of Tatanka, another fan favorite, thereby solidifying his top-tier villain status in WWE at the time.
However, outside the ring, Halme’s real-life views marred his legacy. Jim Ross, WWE’s legendary commentator, disclosed that Borga sported a small but visible SS tattoo a deeply troubling symbol linked to Nazi Germany. Ross described him as “looking like a Ferrari with a four-cylinder motor,” implying that despite physical presence and charisma, Borga was limited in wrestling ability and difficult to work with backstage. His extremist views and volatile behavior led to a quick exit from WWE, and he was generally regarded as someone others avoided working with.
Wrestling Community Reflects on Racism and Backstage Tensions
This episode with The Godfather shines a light on a painful reality some wrestlers have faced: racism and prejudice in locker rooms and travel environments. According to sources close to WWE, such incidents, both verbal and physical, have occurred for decades, often going unspoken publicly.
One WWE insider commented, “Backstage, wrestlers come from all walks of life, but tensions do flare, especially when personal beliefs clash. It took a lot of courage for someone like The Godfather to stand up and confront that behavior head-on.”
Today, WWE promotes a culture of inclusivity and respect, partly as a reflection of past lessons learned. The company has implemented anti-discrimination policies, diversity training, and zero tolerance for hate speech, aiming to prevent such incidents in its ranks.
Remembering Tony Halme: A Troubled Life Beyond WWE
Tony Halme’s wrestling career was only a small part of his turbulent life. Before WWE, he was a successful athlete in Finland and pursued careers as a politician, actor, and author. Still, his personal struggles with mental health, addiction, and extremist ideologies overshadowed much of his public persona.
He passed away in 2010, leaving behind a complicated legacy. His time as Ludvig Borga remains a cautionary tale of how a performer’s off-screen views can dramatically impact their career and relationships within the wrestling world.