Steve Borden

Borden rose to prominence in the late 1980s and became the defining star of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) during its peak years, serving as the promotion’s heroic centerpiece and cultural identity. Nicknamed “The Franchise of WCW,” he spent 14 years with WCW and its predecessor, Jim Crockett Promotions, captured multiple world titles, including six WCW World Heavyweight Championships, headlined more pay-per-view events than any wrestler in company history, and wrestled in the main event of the final episode of Nitro in 2001. His rivalry with Hulk Hogan culminated at Starrcade 1997, the highest-grossing event in WCW history.

Following WCW’s closure, Borden chose not to immediately join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002, despite the company having purchased WCW in 2001, and instead continued his career internationally before becoming a cornerstone of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Over more than a decade in TNA, he helped establish the promotion’s credibility on a national stage, won multiple world championships, and became the only wrestler to hold the NWA, WCW, and TNA World Heavyweight Championships. In recognition of his impact, he was named the inaugural inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2012.

Late in his career, Borden enjoyed a critically acclaimed final run in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he transitioned into a special-attraction and mentor role while teaming with Darby Allin and delivering high-profile performances well into his 60s. He officially retired from in-ring competition in 2024, closing the book on a career defined by longevity, adaptability, star power, and a rare ability to remain relevant across multiple eras of professional wrestling.