Today, I'm going to look at the career of one of wrestling's most notorious characters, Ted DiBiase, famously known as the Million Dollar Man. Over the years, wrestling fans have witnessed numerous heel characters, but few have managed to get under our skin and antagonize us the way DiBiase did. It takes an extraordinary talent to embody a character so well that it becomes legendary, and DiBiase managed to do just that.
The Rise of Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase was born into the wrestling business. His adopted father was Iron Mike DiBiase, a well-known wrestler, but tragically, his dad passed away in the ring when Ted was around 15 years old. Ted was trained by the legendary Funks, which provided him an excellent grounding in professional wrestling across multiple territories, both as a referee and a wrestler. DiBiase truly made his name in the WWF during the 1980s and 1990s. It was here that he developed his most iconic persona—The Million Dollar Man. DiBiase’s character was one of arrogance, opulence, and cruelty, becoming the self-proclaimed "Million Dollar Champion" with a custom diamond-encrusted belt to prove it. Dressed in his memorable dollar-decorated suits, DiBiase never missed an opportunity to humiliate his opponents or throw money around like confetti.
Memorable Moments and Feuds
Ted DiBiase’s career is filled with memorable moments and feuds that are still talked about today. One notable fan at the time, who turned out to be Rob Van Dam, was once invited into the ring to perform a humiliating act. DiBiase also became infamous for offering a young child a big payday if he could bounce a basketball 15 times without interference—only to kick the ball away, drawing incredible heat from the audience. Despite the staged nature of these antics, the fans bought into DiBiase's persona hook, line, and sinker. Vince McMahon provided real money to help solidify DiBiase’s character, making the Million Dollar Man one of the greatest heels in wrestling history. DiBiase had legendary rivalries with stars such as Macho Man Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, and a brief one with his bodyguard, Virgil. These feuds, filled with backstage politics and dramatic storylines, kept fans on the edge of their seats. Though DiBiase never held the WWF title, his own Million Dollar Championship became a symbol of his persona, keeping him over with the fans. His dedication to his character was evident, as even outside the ring, he maintained his Million Dollar Man persona.
The Inspiration behind the Million Dollar Man
According to Bruce Prichard, the Million Dollar Man gimmick was inspired by a real-life event involving Vince McMahon and a fellow plane passenger. When the passenger refused to put out his cigarette, Vince offered him money to stub it out. This interaction sparked the idea for a character who could control people with his wealth, and thus, the Million Dollar Man was born. DiBiase aptly became the embodiment of Vince McMahon's vision for this character.
The Many Faces of DiBiase
DiBiase’s career saw many notable feuds and alliances. He bought Hercules Hernandez from the Heenan Family, feuded with The Big Boss Man, bought Dusty Rhodes’ manager Sapphire, and engaged in all sorts of hijinks. His feud with Jake “The Snake” Roberts led to a memorable WrestleMania VI match, and his rivalry with Macho Man Randy Savage culminated in the WrestleMania IV tournament for the vacated WWF Championship. DiBiase's involvement with Hulk Hogan included hiring Andre the Giant to carry out his orders, and he was instrumental in introducing fans to The Undertaker, who made his debut as DiBiase’s mystery partner at the 1990 Survivor Series.
Later Career and Legacy
In the early 1990s, DiBiase formed a successful tag team with Mike Rotunda, better known as IRS, and they were called Money Inc. They won the tag team titles several times and had legendary matches against teams like the Legion of Doom and the Steiner Brothers. After retiring from in-ring action due to injury, DiBiase took up commentary and managed The Million Dollar Corporation, which included future stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin. He then transitioned to WCW, where he was rebranded as Trillionaire Ted (A play on Ted Turner) and worked with the NWO. In his personal life, DiBiase became a Christian minister, which was a far cry from his wrestling persona. His sons, Mike, Ted Jr., and Brett, also followed in his footsteps into professional wrestling. Nowadays, DiBiase hosts a podcast, "Everybody's Got A Pod," which is worth checking out for wrestling fans. Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Man may seem like a character from the distant past, but his legacy lives on. His charisma and talent made for some of the best television, and his feuds and storylines remain iconic. While it's unlikely that the Million Dollar Man gimmick would have the same impact today, DiBiase will always be remembered as one of the greatest heels in wrestling history.
What are your favourite memories of Ted DiBiase? Feel free to share!
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