Ted DiBiase
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2 Profile 3 Championships/Accomplishments 4 Books 5 External links |
Career
There is no doubt that DiBiase, although never winning any major singles titles in the WWF, had one of the most illustrious careers in professional wrestling. His stepfather, "Iron" Mike DiBiase, was also a wrestler, who died of a heart attack when Ted was only 15. His mother fell into a depression, and DiBiase lived with his grandparents. He was trained by Dory Funk, Jr and stepped into the squared circle for the first time in his junior year. Shortly after he was married in 1981, the World Wrestling Federation noticed him and took him in.In the WWF, DiBiase became one of the most hated heels of all time. He was known as the "Million Dollar Man," a wealthy millionaire gimmick which included the wearing of a gold studded suit and a custom 'Million Dollar Belt' around his waist when entering the ring. He claimed "everybody has a price" and made it his goal to acquire the WWF Championship by buying it if he must. He frequently traveled around in limousines and gave $100 tips to waiters in restaurants. He also invited fans (including a young Rob Van Dam) into the ring or to the stage (platform where they did interview segments) to perform humiliating acts (such as kissing his feet) for money. He acquired a bodyguard, Virgil, who eventually grew tired of DiBiase's abuse and broke away shortly after WrestleMania VI. The gimmick was so successful, it was later copied by Tiger Ali Singh and former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield in separate angles.
He became a tremendous enemy of fan-favorite champions from day one and became one of the most hated wrestlers by fans. Before WrestleMania IV, André the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan in a very questionable decision for the WWF Championship; Andre then turned and submitted the belt to DiBiase. The WWF refused to acknowledge DiBiase as the champion (since the title cannot be bought or surrendered) and declared the title vacant. DiBiase was runner up in the tournament held at WrestleMania IV to fill the vacancy, defeated by "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
In later years, DiBiase formed a very successful tag team, "Money Inc," with Mike Rotunda, who wrestled as "Irwin R. Schyster" or "I.R.S." The duo were three-time WWF Tag Team Champions. He later "purchased" the services of many wrestlers for his "Million Dollar Corporation" stable, which over time included himself, I.R.S., Bam Bam Bigelow, Tatanka, Nikolai Volkoff, Kama, King Kong Bundy, Sycho Sid, and "The Ringmaster" (later Stone Cold) Steve Austin. In WCW, he managed the nWo right after their formation in 1996.
DiBiase wrestled until 1994 when a back injury forced him to leave active participation in the ring for good, but he remained on as a manager in both the WWF and WCW. DiBiase is arguably one of the best mic workers in the business, especially in his prime when few wrestlers had that kind of talent and charisma.
DiBiase is now a Christian minister who runs combined religion/wrestling events under the promotion, Power Wrestling Alliance. He frequently works with Nikita Koloff, another born-again Christian at these events. In 1999, he founded Heart of David Ministries.
In April, 2005, DiBiase was hired as a creative consultant and road agent for the SmackDown brand of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Profile
- Height: 6' 3" (190.5 cm)
- Weight: 250 lbs (113.4 kg)
- Birthday: January 18, 1954
- Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
- Trained By: Dory Funk, Jr and Terry Funk
- Professional Debut: 1974
- Previous Manager(s): Virgil, Sapphire, Sherri Martel
- Quotes: "Everybody has a price (evil laughter)."
Finishing/Signature Moves
- Million Dollar Dream
- Million Dollar Buster
- Million Dollar Knee Lift
- Flying Back Elbow Drop
- Million Dollar Fist Drop
- Sleeper Hold
Championships/Accomplishments
World Wrestling Federation- 1-Time WWF World Heavyweight Champion (he bought the title but was stripped of it)
- 3-Time WWF World Tag Team Champion (with IRS)
- 1-Time WWF North American Champion
- 2-Time WWF (Unsactioned) Million Dollar Champion
National Wrestling Alliance
- 2-Time NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion
- 2-Time NWA National Tag Team Champion (with Stan Frazier and Steve O)
- 1-Time NWA National Heavyweight Champion
All Japan Pro Wrestling
- 1-Time AJPW International Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time AJPW United National Champion
- 1-Time AJPW World Tag Team Champion (with Stan Hansen)
- 1-Time PWF Tag Team Champion (with Stan Hansen)
Universal Wrestling Federation
- 4-Time Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time NWA Tri-State North American Champion
- 4-Time Mid-South Tag Team Champion (with Matt Borne, Jerry Stubbs, Hercules Hernandez and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams)
- 1-Time UWF Tag Team Champion (with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams)
Other Titles
- 1-Time Tri-State Tag Team Champion (with Dick Murdoch)
- 2-Time Central States Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time Western States Tag Team Champion (with Tito Santana)
- 1-Time Texas All-Star Heavyweight Champion
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 32 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked in three of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years". # 20 with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, # 24 with Stan Hansen and # 61 with IRS).
Books
- Autobiography: Every Man Has His Price, 1997, ISBN 1-57673-175-8
- Christian Wrestlers: Wrestling With God, 2001 by Chad Bonham
External links
