Entertainment
Deaf WWE wrestler Myles Borne’s inspiring journey after lifesaving treatment meant he lost hearing as a baby-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The NXT star joined the company earlier this year.
Myles Borne is taking his first steps in the pro wrestling world (Picture: WWE)
WWE NXT star Myles Borne has left fans stunned after they learned of the deaf wrestler’s inspiring journey.
The 25-year-old wrestler – who drew comparisons to legend Randy Orton when he was signed to the company’s developmental brand earlier this year – has been plying his craft on NXT Level Up with seven TV matches under his belt, and he spoke to the audience for the first time in Friday’s episode.
Speaking confidently, Borne called out his opponent Andre Chase as he looked for his first win in WWE and while he didn’t get the victory, fans were delighted to see the deaf star on television.
Sharing a video of his big moment, a viewer said: ‘Just found out that WWE has a deaf wrestler signed to NXT. This is incredible. Protect Myles Borne at all costs.’
‘That is so cool,’ replied another fan, while a third person tweeted: ‘I want this dude to cut a promo in sign language. Absolutely incredible.’
As a former amateur wrestler, Borne could have a very promising future in WWE, based on the early glimpses of him in the ring.
As reported by the Wilmington Star-News, Borne – whose real name is David Bostian – was born with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), a condition which means blood doesn’t flow correctly into the lungs.
As described by the NHS, this means ‘their heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood around their body’.
PPHN is treatable, although this can lead to hearing impairment, and the treatment led to Borne becoming deaf.
Myles Borne fought Andre Chase on NXT Level Up this week (Picture: WWE)
However, he had learned to lip-read by the time he was two years old, as discovered during hearing tests with a speech therapist.
In school, he used hearing aids and an FM transistor, which is used to block out background noise, and thus lets the person using it focus on one particular source of sound.
Myles signed with the company earlier this year (Picture: WWE)
When Borne started amateur wrestling, he couldn’t hear his coach’s instructions due to a rule which meant athletes weren’t allowed metal in their headgear.
However, his parents successfully appealed the rule and he started wearing a transistor to improve the situation.
One of his coaches pointed out that the hearing impairment almost helped him, as he was a ‘visual learner’ with wrestlers itself being ‘a visual sport’.
Amazingly, Borne also spoke in the Wilmington Star-News piece – which was published when he was just 14 years old – about being inspired by one-legged former NCAA champion Anthony Robles.
‘When I was little, I used to make excuses about wrestling and feel bad for myself, and when I saw him I was like, “He can’t walk or really hold onto his opponent at all”, and he’s out there wrestling and wins the title,’ he said.
‘That just inspired me to work even harder because if he doesn’t make excuses I shouldn’t either.’
WWE NXT Level Up airs Friday nights at 3am on the WWE Network.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : WWE signs Randy Orton lookalike and fans are going wild over uncanny resemblance
Entertainment – MetroRead More
