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Ted DiBiase

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Theodore Marvin DiBiase
Born (1954-01-18) January 18, 1954 (age 70)
Miami, Florida
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Million Dollar Man
Ted DiBiase
Billed height6 ft 4 in (191 cm)
Billed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Trained byDory Funk, Jr.,
Terry Funk
DebutJune 1975
Retired2006

Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. (born Theodore Marvin Willis on January 19 1954) is an American former professional wrestler who wrestled as the "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He worked for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand as a booker and Producer until 2006 when he was released. He is also a Christian minister and a member of Alpha Tau Omega.

Pro wrestling career

Mid-South Wrestling (First run, 1975-1979)

Ted DiBiase, the son of wrestler "Iron" Mike DiBiase was trained by Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk. He made his professional wrestling debut in June 1975 in Mid-South Wrestling where he wrestled for four years.

World Wrestling Federation (First run, 1979)

DiBiase had a short stint with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979. He was awarded the short-lived WWF North American Championship thus he was the first champion.[1][2] On June 19, 1979, he lost the North American Championship to Pat Patterson who would unify the title into South American Championship becoming the first-ever WWF Intercontinental Champion.[3][4]

Mid-South Wrestling/National Wrestling Alliance/All Japan Pro Wrestling (Second run, 1980-1987)

DiBiase also spent time in the Georgia area where he had an early face run frequently tagging with Tommy "Wildfire" Rich. The two would then feud, leading to a loser leaves town match which DiBiase won. But instead of Rich leaving the area he donned a mask calling himself "Mister R." The feud would culminate in a match between Mister R and DiBiase where DiBiase would control most of the match and just as DiBiase was about to unmask Mr. R, Tommy Rich appeared from back stage and distracted DiBiase. Mister R then rolled up DiBiase to get the win and unmasked as Brad Armstrong. Both DiBiase and Rich would leave the territory shortly thereafter.

In the early to mid-1980s DiBiase participated in memorable angles in various territories with the likes of Dick Murdoch, Ric Flair, The Fabulous Freebirds, Jim Duggan, One Man Gang, and Junkyard Dog.[5] He also held various championships[2] and made frequent trips to All-Japan Pro Wrestling until his eventual departure from Mid-South Wrestling (which by this point was now the UWF). Typically, his matches would end with the use of a "loaded" black glove, which he would pull from his tights to "knock out" his opponent when the referee wasn't looking.

While locked in talks with the NWA in 1987 after the UWF was acquired by Jim Crockett, DiBiase received an offer from the WWF. DiBiase was eventually convinced by the WWF to sign up despite the fact that he wouldn't be told his gimmick until after he agreed, under the promise that it was something that would receive a serious push, punctuated by WWF official Pat Patterson informing DiBiase that if owner Vince McMahon could go out to wrestle, which he did much later, then this would be the gimmick that he'd give himself.

World Wrestling Federation (Second run, 1987-1996)

Million Dollar Man character

DiBiase is considered by many as one of the greatest "heel" wrestlers of all time. This view is mainly due to his work in World Wrestling Entertainment (at that time called the World Wrestling Federation). He was known as "The Million Dollar Man," a millionaire who wore a gold-studded, dollar-sign-covered suit (sometimes green and white, sometimes all white, sometimes black and white) and, in time, a custom-made and self-awarded "Million Dollar Belt".

DiBiase claimed "Everybody has a price" demonstrating his "power" through a series of vignettes in which he did things such as bribe the manager of a local swimming pool to close for the day so he could have the pool to himself. Other skits featured DiBiase traveling in limousines, giving $100 tips to waiters, and using $100 bills in convenience stores for small purchases like chewing gum. In reality, DiBiase's road travel was deliberately booked first-class for flights, into 5-star hotels for accommodations and was given a stipend of petty cash from the WWF Offices so that he could throw money around in public (i.e. pick up tabs and over tip, buy drinks for entire bars, actually pay for small items with a $100 bill, etc) in order to get the gimmick 'over'. He once told an Amarillo, Texas television station he personally paid for a large president's mansion that was built on the campus of his alma mater, West Texas State University. In reality, DiBiase provided no funding for the mansion.

Other times, DiBiase invited fans (including a young Rob Van Dam) into the ring or to the interview platform to perform humiliating acts (such as kissing his feet) for money. One of the more infamous and fondly remembered of these skits was when he invited a young boy onto a stage and told him if he bounced a ball 15 times in succession, DiBiase would pay him $500. After the 14th bounce, DiBiase kicked the ball away, sending the boy home without pay.

As mentioned above, DiBiase was a genuinely skilled technical wrestler, with his finishing maneuver being the Million Dollar Dream. After putting his opponents 'to sleep' with this maneuver, he routinely stuffed $100 bills down their throats, uttered his signature lines ("Everyone's got a price," and "Everyone's got to pay."), and gave his signature demonic laugh. The memorable "Million Dollar Rap" was used as his theme song beginning in 1990.

DiBiase later hired Virgil, whom he treated like a slave. Virgil would eventually grow tired of DiBiase's abuse and made an inspirational and enthusiastically received face turn at the 1991 Royal Rumble.

1987

Ted DiBiase made his WWF debut in 1987 as "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and was a great heel. His first big in-ring angle came in late 1987 on an episode of "WWF Superstars of Wrestling," where he announced his plan to buy the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan. However, Hogan refused and said that DiBiase would have to defeat him in the ring for the belt. Hogan got the upper hand in a series of matches, and a frustrated DiBiase approached André the Giant to win the belt 'for' him.

1988

On February 5, 1988 edition on The Main Event (which aired live on NBC), André defeated Hogan in a very questionable decision for the WWF Championship (Referee Dave Hebner's "evil" twin brother Earl counted Hogan for the three despite fact that his shoulder was up at two);[6] Andre then announced he was surrendering the belt and handed it to DiBiase.[7] The WWF refused to acknowledge DiBiase as the champion[8] (since at the time WWF/WWE titles could not be bought or simply handed to someone else) and declared the title vacant.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[9] DiBiase continued to feud with Savage throughout the summer of 1988, culminating in a tag team match pitting DiBiase and André the Giant vs. Hogan and Savage at the inaugral SummerSlam (in a match billed as "Where the Mega Powers Meet the Mega Bucks"). Although pro-heel commentator Jesse "The Body" Ventura served as the guest referee (to DiBiase's delight), Hogan pinned DiBiase to win the match for the faces. DiBiase went on to defeat Brutus Beefcake, Ken Patera, Ron Bass and Randy Savage to win the 1988 King of the Ring tournament receiving his first WWF success.

Bobby Heenan sold Hercules to Ted DiBiase for his services as his personal slave. DiBiase claimed that Hercules was his slave but Hercules turned face and started feuding with him. He got better of his "slave" at Survivor Series 1988. He would then hire a new personal slave, Virgil who would become his loyal slave.

1989

At Royal Rumble 1989, he entered as the final entrant in the match. Big John Studd and DiBiase were the final two participants in the match; DiBiase was eliminated by Studd and Studd was the winner of the match. DiBiase would continue to feud with Hercules. The two had a series of matches including a match on February 3, 1989 edition of The Main Event which DiBiase won. He defeated The Blue Blazer on March 11 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event. After that match, he introduced the WWF Million Dollar Championship, his own championship belt which was not recognized by the WWF. He created this belt because he was unable to buy or win the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan.

DiBiase faced Brutus Beefcake at WrestleMania V in a match which resulted in a double-countout because they fought outside of the ring and didn't return to ring thus they were counted-out. DiBiase started feuding with Jimmy "The Superfly" Snuka. They both faced each other in a match at SummerSlam 1989 which DiBiase won by countout when Snuka was unable to return to the ring. On October 14 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, DiBiase faced Hulk Hogan in a match for the WWF Championship where DiBiase had the monster Zeus by his side. DiBiase lost the match when he accidentally hit Zeus and was pinned by Hogan with a small package.

DiBiase started to feud with Jake Roberts who came to ringside to even the odds at Saturday Night's Main Event but was distracted by Virgil and then chased him. At Survivor Series 1989, DiBiase captained a team dubbed as "Million Dollar Team" consisting of himself, Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian) and the big Zeus against Hogan's "Hulkamaniacs" consisting of Hogan, DiBiase's rival Jake Roberts and Demolition (Ax and Smash). DiBiase eliminated Roberts after pinning him with help from Virgil before being pinned himself by Hogan.

1990

In 1990, he broke the then-"Iron Man" record by lasting 45 minutes in the 1990 Royal Rumble match after entering as the #1 entrant. He was eliminated by The Ultimate Warrior. During the match, Jake Roberts returned from the neck injury that DiBiase had caused him. He entered at #4 and immediately targeted DiBiase. When Roberts was eliminated by Randy Savage, he stole DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship belt. At WrestleMania VI, he defended the title against Roberts and retained it with help rrom Virgil when Roberts was counted-out. He got his stolen belt back. DiBiase attacked Big Bossman on April 28, 1990 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event.

At SummerSlam 1990, DiBiase bought the services of Sapphire, who was the manager of Dusty Rhodes at the time. DiBiase and Rhodes started to feud with each other. On October 30 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, he attacked Dusty's son Dustin Rhodes during Dusty's match with Randy Savage. Dusty came to his son's aid and was counted-out. DiBiase has the distinction of introducing The Undertaker to the WWF at the 1990 Survivor Series as his "mystery teammate," claiming the Taker as his protege (Taker, however, had Brother Love as his manager when he came out).

1991

At Royal Rumble 1991, Ted DiBiase and Virgil defeated Dusty and Dustin Rhodes in a tag team match. After the match, DiBiase ordered Virgil to put the Million Dollar Championship belt around his waist. Virgil dropped but picked it on DiBiase's orders and instead whacked it on his head. Virgil did this because he wanted to get rid of DiBiase and now he turned face. At WrestleMania VII, DiBiase lost a match to Virgil by count-out with help from 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, who had begun training Virgil to 'be a man'. Sensational Sherri, who earlier in the night had turned on a losing Randy Savage, came down midway through the match to help DiBiase and became his full-time valet. On April 27, 1991 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, DiBiase fought Bret Hart to a double count-out.

DiBiase lost the Million Dollar Championship to Virgil at SummerSlam 1991 when Virgil smashed his head into an exposed turnbuckle and pinned him to get the victory. This made DiBiase the longest reigning Million Dollar Champion with having a reign of 922 days. DiBiase also became the oldest champion who was aged 35 years, 28 days when he awarded the title to himself. DiBiase participated in the 1991 King of the Ring tournament drawing to Ricky Steamboat in the first round. DiBiase would regain the Million Dollar Championship from Virgil with help from Repo Man on November 11 edition of Sunday Night Slam which was dubbed "Survivor Series Showdown". He would receive victories in tag team matches at Survivor Series 1991 and This Tuesday in Texas.

1992

Main article: Money Inc.

Ted DiBiase formed a very successful tag team, Money Incorporated, with Irwin R. Schyster (IRS). The duo were three-time WWF Tag Team Champions between February 1992 and June 1993. Their first reign came on February 7, 1992 when they defeated The Legion of Doom for the titles. Money Inc. would then feud with The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon). They defended the titles against the Natural Disasters at WrestleMania VIII and lost the match by count-out, thus retaining the titles. On July 20, they would lose the titles to the Natural Disasters.

After losing a match to the Legion of Doom at SummerSlam 1992, DiBiase and IRS regained the belts on the October 13 edition of Wrestling Challenge from the Natural Disasters. On the November 8 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, they defended their titles against the Ultimate Maniacs (Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage). DiBiase and IRS lost the match by countout and thus retained the titles once more.

1993

Ted DiBiase participated in the 1993 Royal Rumble match, entering at #4 and eventually being eliminated by The Undertaker. At WrestleMania IX, DiBiase and IRS defended the WWF Tag Team Championship against Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake. DiBiase and IRS retained their titles by disqualification after using a loaded briefcase on Beefcake, who wore a protective mask following a face injury. They had a successful title reign as they dominated the tag team division of the WWF. They feuded with the Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) and they had a series of matches against the Steiners with several title exchanges.

DiBiase and IRS were defeated by the Steiners for the WWF Tag Team Championship on the June 14, 1993 edition of Monday Night RAW. They would regain the titles on June 16 at a live event but lost them back to the Steiners three days later on June 19 at another live event. DiBiase last wrestled for the WWF in August 1993, bowing out following a memorable angle which saw Razor Ramon turn face and 1-2-3 Kid debut. The Kid had scored an upset pinfall against a cocky Ramon, causing DiBiase to mock Ramon and tell him he would show him how it was done. He then went on to also lose to the Kid, giving Razor a newfound respect for the Kid and turning him face. This included a match at SummerSlam 1993 between DiBiase and Ramon which DiBiase lost. After a few months in Japan, he quietly announced his retirement due to accumulated injuries and returned to the WWF, as a commentator and manager, in January 1994.

1994

Main article: Million Dollar Corporation

Later in 1994, DiBiase "purchased" the services of many wrestlers for his Million Dollar Corporation stable in the WWF, which over time included I.R.S., Bam Bam Bigelow, Nikolai Volkoff, Kama, King Kong Bundy, Sycho Sid, 1-2-3 Kid, and in a most surprising heel turn, Tatanka. DiBiase also renewed his connection with the Undertaker after the latter's six-month hiatus after the January Royal Rumble. Saying that he had originally brought the Undertaker to the WWF, and he was going to bring him back, DiBiase debuted a new Undertaker under his control. (This Undertaker however proved to be a fake Undertaker played by Brian Lee and was subsequently defeated by the real Undertaker at SummerSlam.)

1995

DiBiase would also have a place in the main event of WrestleMania XI as the manager of Bam Bam Bigelow in his match versus Lawrence Taylor. Also surrounding the ring were members of DiBiase's corporation to offset Taylor's entourage of NFL All-Pros on the opposite side of the ring. After Taylor defeated Bigelow, DiBiase would publicly refer to Bigelow as an embarrassment, culminating in Bigelow quitting The Corporation after DiBiase fired him after Bigelow was unsuccessful in defeating Diesel for the WWF Championship. Bigelow would align himself with Diesel in a feud versus members of DiBiase's corporation.

1996

As a manager, DiBiase would also later introduce "The Ringmaster", who would eventually become Stone Cold Steve Austin, to the WWF in December 1995. DiBiase left for WCW in May 1996. On WWF TV, it was explained that he was "forced out" of the WWF per pre-match stipulation when his protege Steve Austin lost to Savio Vega at In Your House: Beware of Dog.

DiBiase's millionaire gimmick later influenced the characters of Tiger Ali Singh, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Mr. McMahon.

World Championship Wrestling (1996-1997)

In WCW, DiBiase managed the nWo immediately after their formation in 1996, claiming to be financing the group (thus playing on his "Million Dollar Man" gimmick which WCW could not legally use outright; instead, he was referred to as "Trillionaire Ted" (a play on the "Billionaire Ted" nickname of Ted Turner). Less than a year later, he left the nWo and made a shocking face turn, managing The Steiner Brothers against the nWo until Scott turned heel and joined the group. DiBiase also managed one-time WWF/E rival Ray Traylor for a while as an ally to the Steiners but eventually stopped managing altogether.

Retirement from active wrestling

Continued involvement with WWE 2005-2007

Despite playing a character fans loved to hate, DiBiase is fondly remembered, so much so that he was chosen as a legend fans wanted to see in the SmackDown! games, during a poll survey done by THQ.

In April 2005, DiBiase was hired as a creative consultant and road agent for the SmackDown! brand of World Wrestling Entertainment.

On October 3 2005, at WWE Homecoming to the USA Network, DiBiase appeared with other WWE legends in a special legends ceremony. He eventually led the attack on Rob Conway who had come down to the ring to insult the legends. He was also seen in a segment involving Mae Young where he offered her money to stop "flashing" backstage.

DiBiase inducted his former manager Sensational Sherri into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1 2006, and made a cameo at WrestleMania 22, offering Eugene $1000 to dribble a basketball 100 times backstage. In typical fashion he kicked the ball away at the last second.

DiBiase also appeared on RAW on April 17 2006, after an Unlimited segment. The segment included Goldust and Gene Snitsky asking Candice Michelle to do "things" with a big chunk of Jarlsberg cheese. DiBiase was shown behind a newspaper doing his famous evil laugh as the camera went off air.

DiBiase made a special guest appearance at an IPW show in Newton, Iowa on July 14, 2006, where he watched his sons' tag team match. The following day, he would accept the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction for his late father, Mike, at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum. Other inductees included Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Dory Funk Sr., Larry Hennig, Nikita Koloff, Tom Jenkins, and Bob Roop.

DiBiase also appeared at the RAW Family Reunion on October 9, 2006 aiding Ric Flair in his match with the Spirit Squad. On October 26 2006, Ted DiBiase was released from his WWE contract by World Wrestling Entertainment due to low cutbacks.

He will be running wrestling clinics across the country on delivering promos and storytelling.

Christianity and wrestling

DiBiase is now a Christian minister who runs combined Christian/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.

His religious involvement along with his wrestling career is featured in an article of a recent ESPN Magazine.

In wrestling

  • Nicknames
    • "The Million Dollar Man"
    • "Trillionaire Ted"
    • "Do Aw Ha Ha"

Championships and accomplishments

  • Texas All-Star Wrestling
  • TASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[2]
  • PWI ranked him # 17 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1991.
  • PWI ranked him # 32 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.
  • PWI ranked him # 20 of the 100 best tag teams of the PWI Years with Steve Williams in 2003.
  • PWI ranked him # 24 of the 100 best tag teams of the PWI Years with Stan Hansen in 2003.
  • PWI ranked him # 61 of the 100 best tag teams of the PWI Years with Irwin R. Schyster in 2003.

1The Million Dollar Championship isn't an official championship recognized by World Wrestling Entertainment. It is a championship created entirely for the promotion and storyline of Ted DiBiase's "Million Dollar Man" character.

Personal life

Two of his sons are now pro wrestlers. On July 14 2006, Mike DiBiase and Ted DiBiase Jr. defeated Daniel Cross and Dakota at an Impact Pro Wrestling show. Ted and his wife Melanie also have a son named Bret.[10]

He admitted in an interview conducted by Ign.com that his Million Dollar Championship title - a belt composed of real diamonds and gold - cost $145,000, although DiBiase has mentioned that he had to carry documentation for the belt whenever he went through customs. The Million Dollar Championship is now locked in a safe at Titan Towers, WWE's corporate headquarters.

His likeness has appeared in all three Legends of Wrestling video games, and has appeared twice in the WWE SmackDown! video games as a legend. He also appeared in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie Paradise Alley.

Books

  • DiBiase, Ted (1997) Every Man Has His Price, ISBN 1-57673-175-8
  • Bonham, Chad (2001) Wrestling With God, ISBN 1-58919-935-9

References

  1. ^ a b "W.W.F. North American Heavyweight Title". Hisa's Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Ted DiBiase's Title History". Million Dollar Man.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  3. ^ "WWE Intercontinental Championship official title history". WWE.Com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  4. ^ "Pat Patterson's first Intercontinental Championship reign". WWE.Com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  5. ^ "Ted DiBiase's OWW Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  6. ^ "The Main Event results - February 5, 1988". Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  7. ^ "Andre the Giant's first WWE Championship reign". WWE.Com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  8. ^ "WWE Championship official title history". WWE.Com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  9. ^ "Randy Savage's first WWF Championship reign".
  10. ^ "Ted DiBiase's Biography". Million Dollar Man.com. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
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