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Ted DiBiase

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Theodore Marvin DiBiase
File:MillionDollarMan.JPG
BornJanuary 18, 1954
Omaha, Nebraska
Professional wrestling career
Ring nameTed DiBiase
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Billed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Billed fromClinton, Mississippi
Trained byDory Funk, Jr.,
Terry Funk
DebutJune 1975
Retired1993

Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. (born Theodore Marvin Willis, January 18, 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American Christian minister and former professional wrestler who wrestled as the "The Million Dollar Man". He is currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown brand as a booker and road agent.

Life Before Pro Wrestling

Both DiBiase's mother, Helen Hild, and his famed stepfather, "Iron" Mike DiBiase, were wrestlers: Mike's sudden death in the ring in 1969 sent his mother into a deep depression and neccessitated DiBiase moving to live with his grandparents in Arizona soon afterward. (Later storylines had Ted's fortune coming from his father's will, but this was largely forgotten over time)

After graduating from high school DiBiase was offered and accepted a scholarship at West Texas State University. While there he was trained by Dory Funk, Jr., and quickly dropped out of school to become a full-time grappler in Oklahoma.

Pro Wrestling Career

Mid-South Wrestling

DiBiase spentthe bulk of his early career in Mid-South Wrestling, and also had a brief try-out run with the WWF in the late 1970s.

In the early/mid 1980s DiBiase particplated in memorable angles in various territories with the likes of Dick Murdoch, Ric Flair, The Fabulous Freebirds, Jim Duggan, One Man Gang and the Junk Yard Dog. He also haeld various championships 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).

While locked in talks with the NWA in 1987, Dibiase recieved 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 recieve a serious push, punctuated by WWF official Pat Patterson informing Dibiase that if owner Vince McMahon could go out to wrestle, which he ironically did much later, then this would be the gimmick that he'd give himself.

World Wrestling Federation 1987-1996

In the World Wrestling Federation, DiBiase became one of the most hated heels of all time (yet coolest). He was known as "The Million Dollar Man," a millionaire who wore a gold-studded, dollar-sign-covered suit and, later on, a custom-made "Million Dollar Belt" around his waist as he entered the ring. He 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 booked first-class for flights, 5-star hotels for accomodations and was given a stipend of petty cash from the WWF Offices so that he could throw money around (i.e. pick up tabs and overtip, buy drinks for entire bars, actually pay for small items with a $100 bill, etc) in order to get the gimmick over.

In other promotions, DiBiase would invite 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 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.

DiBiase was a skilled technical wrestler, and many fans desired that he turn face. His finishing maneuver was the 'Million Dollar Dream' (a modified STP/cobra clutch). After putting his opponents to sleep with this maneuver, he stuffed $100 bills down their throats, uttered his signature lines ("Everyone's got a price," and "Everyone's got to pay."), and laughed. The memorable "Money, Money, Money" was used as his theme song.

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

On an episode of "WWF Superstars of Wrestling," he announced his plan to buy the WWF Championship and offered Hogan a large sum to surrender the belt. However, Hogan refused and said that DiBiase would have to defeat him in the ring for the belt; this sparked a memorable feud between the two. Hogan got the upper hand in a series of matches, and a frustrated DiBiase approached André the Giant to win the belt for him.

On February 5, 1988, on "The Main Event" (which aired live on NBC), André defeated Hogan in a very questionable decision for the WWF Championship; Andre then announced he was surrendering the belt and handed it to DiBiase. Although the WWF refused to acknowledge DiBiase as the champion on screen (since the title cannot be bought or surrendered) and declared the title vacant, Ted Dibiase was indeed the WWF Champion for a week. The title was then stripped from Dibiase a week later. Ted Dibiase's title reign was in the record books even though the WWF officials did not really acknowlegde him as the Champion. After he was stripped from the title, the title became vacant and a tournament was assigned to annouce a new WWF Champion. DiBiase was runner up in the tournament held at WrestleMania IV to fill the vacancy, defeated by "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

He was later involved in popular feuds with Jake "The Snake" Roberts and "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. In 1990, he broke the then-"Iron Man" record by lasting over 40 minutes in the Royal Rumble.

Dibiase introduced The Undertaker to the WWF at the 1990 Survivor Series, claiming the Taker as his protege. This event was echoed in 1994, when DiBiase ended the Undertaker's hiatus by reintroducing him to active competition. This Undertaker however proved to be a fake Undertaker played by Brian Lee and was subsequently defeated by the real Undertaker at SummerSlam (1994).

In later years, DiBiase formed a very successful tag team, Money Inc., with Irwin R. Schyster (IRS). The duo were three-time WWF World Tag Team Champions. DiBiase wrestled until late 1993 when back and neck injuries forced him to leave active participation in the ring for good, but he remained on as a manager in both the WWF and later its rival, WCW.

In 1994, DiBiase tried his hand at commentating, announcing the 1994 Royal Rumble along with Vince McMahon. He was also a color commentator alongside the likes of Stan Lane and Gorilla Monsoon on WWF Wrestling Challenge. In addition, DiBiase also lent his announcing skills on matches that were taped exclusively for Coliseum Video releases.

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 and, in a most suprising heel turn, Tatanka. Later DiBiase would introduce "The Ringmaster" Steve Austin to the WWF.

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

World Championship Wrestling

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). 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 Ray Traylor for a while as an ally to the Steiners but eventually stopped managing altogether.

Retirement from active wrestling

Continued involvement with WWE

Despite playing a character fans badly hated, 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.

DiBiase has lately been trying to get the copyrights to his original theme music "It's All About The Money". The reasons for this have not been revealed.

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 typcal 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.

Health issues

On December 20, 2005 in Stamford, Conn., Ted DiBiase collapsed and lost consciousness. He later regained consciousness and was held overnight in a local hospital to undergo testing. He appears to have recovered and is back to work for WWE.

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.

Of his more recent ventures, DiBiase made a special guest appearance at an IPW show in Newton, Iowa on July 14th, 2006, where he watched his sons' tag team match. While there, the "Million Dollar Man" would, ironically, charge fans $5 for autograph signings. 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 Hart, Dory Funk Sr., Larry Hennig, Nikita Koloff, Tom Jenkins, and Bob Roop.

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

Personal facts

  • DiBiase has three sons, Michael, Teddy, and Brett.

Trivia

  • He is referenced in the Roots song "Ain't Sayin Nothin New" - "...Shove a mic in your mouth like Ted DiBiase" -Dice Raw
  • He is referenced in Nick Cannon's song, Feelin Freaky: "...Million dollar thug like I'm Ted DiBiase..."
  • He admitted in an interview conducted by Ign.com that his Million Dollar Championship title - a belt composed of real diamonds and gold - cost $45,000.
  • He has twice appeared in the WWE SmackDown! video games as a legend. He has since stated that he's honored and proud to have done the things he did during his WWE career, because the fans remember him by it and consider him as one of the legendary figures in WWE history.
  • He appeared on the Robin Leach TV Show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
  • He appeared in the 1978 Sylvester Stallone movie Paradise Alley.
  • He was refrenced in other rap songs by Cam'ron,Yukmouth,Big Pun, and Fat Joe ("Lean Back" by Joe was #1 on the Billboard Pop Charts)

In Wrestling

Finishing and signature moves

Managers

Wrestlers Managed

Nicknames

  • "The Million Dollar Man"
  • "Hombre de Un Millon de Dolares"

Quotes

  • "Everybody has a price, for the Million Dollar Man (evil laughter)."
  • "...because the Million Dollar man - always gets his way!"
  • "I'll see you...at the bank! (Evil laughter))."
  • "I stand real tall when I stand on my wallet."
  • "You don't stand on Superman's cape, you don't spit in the wind, and you DON'T climb in the ring with the Million Dollar Man!"
  • "I'm the Million Dollar Man and you will pay!!! ("Evil laughter"))."
  • "Some might cost a little, some might cost a lot. But I'm the Million Dollar Man, and YOU WILL BE BOUGHT! ("Evil laughter")

Championships and accomplishments

  • 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)
  • PWI ranked DiBiase # 32 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.
  • PWI ranked DiBiase # 20 of the best tag teams of the PWI Years, with Steve Williams
  • PWI ranked DiBiase # 24 of the best tag teams of the PWI Years, with Stan Hansen
  • PWI ranked DiBiase # 61 of the best tag teams of the PWI Years, with Irwin R. Schyster
  • Texas All-Star Wrestling
  • 1-time TASW Heavyweight Champion


  • He is a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996)
  • 1981 Best Technical Wrestler
  • 1982 Feud of the Year (vs Junk Yard Dog)
  • 1984 Feud of the Year (vs Jim Duggan)
  • 1987 Best Heel
  • 1988 Best Heel

Championship succession

King of the Ring winners
Preceded by:
Randy Savage 		First
(1988) 		Followed by:
Tito Santana
WWF Championship
Preceded by:
Andre The Giant 		First

(Awarded / Bought from Andre The Giant)

Succeeded by:
VACANT
Million Dollar Belt
Preceded by:
Self-awarded 		First Succeeded by:
Virgil
Preceded by:
Virgil 		Second Succeeded by:
The Ringmaster
WWF North American Championship
Preceded by:
- 		First Succeeded by:
Pat Patterson
WWF World Tag Team Championship
Preceded by:
Road Warriors 		First, with Irwin R. Schyster Succeeded by:
The Natural Disasters
Preceded by:
The Natural Disasters 		Second, with Irwin R. Schyster Succeeded by:
The Steiner Brothers
Preceded by:
The Steiner Brothers 		Third, with Irwin R. Schyster Succeeded by:
The Steiner Brothers

Books

  • Dibiase, Ted (1997) Every Man Has His Price, ISBN 1-57673-175-8
  • Bonham, Chad (2001) Wrestling With God, ISBN 1589199359

References

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