Dale Torborg On The KISS Demon, WCW Politics, Gene Simmons, Life After Face Paint
For Dale Torborg, becoming the KISS Demon brought together two childhood passions: professional wrestling and the band whose Destroyer album had captivated him at five years old. Embodying a character officially inspired and endorsed by Gene Simmons was an opportunity he could scarcely have imagined.
Appearing on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, Dale shared the story behind portraying one of World Championship Wrestling's cost distinctive creations. From a baseball injury and a chance meeting with The Immortal Hulk Hogan to disputed contracts, missed opportunities and an entrance that went spectacularly wrong, Dale Torborg's pro wrestling journey was anything but straightforward.
How a Baseball Injury Changed Dale Torborg’s Life
As the son of former Major League Baseball player and manager Jeff Torborg, Dale grew up expecting to follow his father into the sport. He attended Northwestern University and played professionally, but a pitch to the face changed his future.
The ball broke his cheekbone and caused lasting nerve damage. Dale tried to continue playing, unaware that his depth perception had also been affected. He said the problem was eventually identified during an eyesight examination after he moved to the Yankees organisation.
“I thought I was going to be a Major League Baseball player from the time I was little,” he explained. “That dream was gone.”
A chance encounter on a flight then opened another door. Dale met Hulk Hogan while travelling to see his college roommate play in the Rose Bowl. At baggage claim in Los Angeles, Hogan introduced him to fellow WWF Champion turned WCW star, Macho Man Randy Savage.
The two wrestlers asked whether Dale had considered entering professional wrestling. With his athletic background and six-foot-six frame, they could clearly see the potential in Torborg. For Dale, it made a world he had only watched on television suddenly feel accessible.
Training With The Warlord and Jim Neidhart
Dale began training with Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart and The Warlord in Neidhart’s backyard ring in Florida. Alongside the many tough physical lessons learned came advice about protecting himself in the business.
Neidhart warned that Dale might be too nice for pro wrestling’s notoriously barbed backstage environment. The Warlord encouraged him to protect any character he created through trademarks and copyright.
Their first idea combined Dale’s baseball background, his love of KISS and the Baseball Furies from The Warriors. The result was MVP: the “Most Violent Player”, complete with a baseball uniform, bat and face paint.
Dale said that advice proved valuable when another promotion wanted to use the character with different performers. Because he had protected the name and design, he could refuse. He later secured a WCW training deal and headed to the Power Plant.
The Connection to Sting’s Crow Character
One of Dale Torborg’s early MVP photographs was spotted by Scott Hall. Dale's recollection is that Hall saw a picture of him wearing black-and-white face paint and holding a baseball bat, then suggested to Sting (Steve Borden) that he adopt a similar look, inspired by The Crow.
Dale acknowledged that there are conflicting accounts of how Sting’s transformation truly came about. He presented this as the version that had been relayed to him, rather than something he had personally witnessed.
For Dale, the practical consequence was that his own original look could no longer develop as he had imagined. MVP eventually appeared in a different colour scheme, but another opportunity would soon take his career in an entirely new direction.
How Dale Won, Lost and Regained the KISS Demon Role
Dale’s chance to become the Demon of WCW arrived just after he had recovered from a serious knee injury.
On returning to the WCW Power Plant, Torborg was summoned to see Eric Bischoff. He feared he was about to be released. Instead, Bischoff asked about his love of rock band KISS and offered him a tryout for the character. With only days to prepare, Dale chose Johnny Swinger as his opponent and planned a match that would test his repaired knee immediately.
Just before he walked through the curtain, Bischoff gave him an unusual instruction: “I want you to do Gene without doing Gene.”
Dale focused on capturing Simmons’ stage presence without copying every mannerism. The match went well, and Bischoff told him the role was his. Then the expected paperwork never came.
Dale said he later learned that, after reviewing makeup tests, Simmons had preferred to have a largest performer for the initial presentation. Brian Adams made the character’s first appearances. When Adams decided the role was not for him, Dale finally took over.
Simmons’ guidance was clear: he wanted the spirit of his stage persona, with enough differences for the wrestler to have his own identity. Dale’s longer makeup design, red eyes and black, red and silver costume reflected that approach.
Why Dale Believes WCW Failed the Demon
Dale loved performing The Demon character, but described WCW’s backstage atmosphere as chaotic. Changes in management and creative direction repeatedly disrupted its development.
He believes merchandise arrangements were a major obstacle. According to Dale, WCW became reluctant to produce items because of how revenue would be divided with KISS. An action figure never materialised, and he said he was removed from a WCW video game after travelling for the production work.
The Demon’s match against The Wall at SuperBrawl 2000 was billed as a “special main event”. Dale explained that the wording fulfilled a contractual requirement, even though the bout appeared partway through the card and lasted only three minutes.
He also recalled being told that using “God of Thunder” cost $10,000 each time. After obtaining a copy of the contract from KISS’s office, he said he discovered a figure of $100 instead. Dale believed he was helping by raising the discrepancy, but said the response was anger and a lengthy absence from television.
“It was a really tumultuous time,” he said. “The morale backstage was terrible.”
The Night the Demon Got Stuck in His Coffin
Some of that dysfunction produced a story Dale can now laugh about years later. His elaborate WCW entrance involved a heavy hydraulic sarcophagus, which required him to be wheeled into position well before his match.
During a show in Philadelphia, the music played and the mechanism began whirring, but the doors would not open properly. Dale was told to push them. When that failed, he kicked his way out, breaking a door.
His costume then caught on the other side, swinging his cape around in front of him. For a moment, he wanted to retreat backstage and begin the whole entrance again. Instead, he untangled himself and carried on.
Back in the dressing room, the reaction was laughter, high-fives and wrestlers falling about. In a tense period for the company, Dale joked that his disastrous entrance had at least brought the locker room together.
The Gene Simmons Appearance That Never Happened
Dale also described a proposed storyline involving Simmons himself. While working with Vampiro and Sting, he suggested a moment in which the Demon would be ordered to set Sting on fire.
Before he could do it, “God of Thunder” would play again and Simmons would walk out, telling him to stop. Caught between Vampiro’s instructions and Simmons’ disapproval, The Demon would choose to help Sting, beginning his turn into a fan favourite.
Dale said he called Simmons, explained the idea and received an agreement to appear if WCW arranged it. The company never followed through. To Dale, it remains an example of how much more could have been done with the partnership.
The KISS Demon’s Legacy and Life After WCW
When WCW was purchased by rival Vince McMahon in 2001, Dale chose to return to baseball and work alongside his father rather than pursue a WWE tryout. He remained connected to wrestling through later appearances and his friendships in the music industry.
He introduced Adam 'Edge' Copeland to Alter Bridge’s Mark Tremonti, helping bring “Metalingus” into wrestling. He has also helped connect wrestling companies with Metallica over the use of “Seek & Destroy”.
Today, Dale is writing a book and has produced a documentary about his father, Jeff Torborg: A Wonderful Baseball Life. He described that project as particularly meaningful following his father's death.
The Demon’s reputation has changed over time, too. Dale now meets fans who remember the character fondly and tell him how much they miss WCW. He accepts that others never liked it, but remains deeply proud of the opportunity to represent a band he loved.
“I just loved doing it,” he said. “And I would do it again.”
About Wrestling Life Online
Wrestling Life Online is a digital platform dedicated to celebrating the personalities, history and human stories behind professional wrestling. Through in-depth interviews, editorial features and the annual Wrestling Life Hall of Fame, it honours performers whose impact extends far beyond championship reigns.
Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. The show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names and is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's bestselling autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman and author of Good Journeys: 25 Inspiring People & 75 Lessons Learned.
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