Ted DiBiase

This article is about "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. For his son who also competed as Ted DiBiase, see Ted DiBiase Jr.
"Million Dollar Man" redirects here. For the song by Lana Del Rey, see Born to Die.

Ted DiBiase
DiBiase in 2021
Birth nameTheodore Marvin Willis
Born (1954-01-18) January 18, 1954 (age 70)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma materCreighton Preparatory School
(Omaha, Nebraska)
Spouse(s)
Melanie DiBiase
​
(m. 1981)​
ChildrenMike DiBiase II
Ted DiBiase Jr.
Brett DiBiase
FamilyIron Mike DiBiase (father) (adoptive)
Helen Hild (mother)
Websitemilliondollarman.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ted DiBiase
The Million Dollar Man
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[1]
Billed weight260 lb (118 kg)[1]
Billed fromOmaha, Nebraska[2] Seasonal residences (WWE)
Trained byDory Funk Jr.[1]
Terry Funk[1]
Debut1974[3]
Retired1993[2]

Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. (/diːbiˈʌsi/; born January 18, 1954)[2] is an American retired professional wrestler, manager, and color commentator. He is signed to WWE as of 2024, where he works in their Legends program. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career. He is best recalled by mainstream audiences for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he wrestled as "the Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He has been named as one of the best technical wrestlers,[4][5] and greatest villains,[6][7] in pro wrestling history.

Among other accolades in the WWF/E, DiBiase was the first WWF North American Heavyweight Champion, a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion (with Irwin R. Schyster), a one-time WWE 24/7 Champion, and winner of the 1988 King of the Ring tournament. DiBiase also awarded himself the Million Dollar Championship, which was held by various associated wrestlers including DiBiase's onscreen proteges, Stone Cold Steve Austin and LA Knight. DiBiase headlined multiple WWF cards, including WrestleMania IV and the first-ever SummerSlam in 1988. DiBiase is a member of several professional wrestling halls of fame: he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame upon its inception in 1996, and headlined the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference wwebio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference OWW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Bonham, Chad (2001). Wrestling with God. David C. Cook. p. 57. ISBN 1589199359.
  4. ^ Jon Robinson (October 24, 2003). "Ted DiBiase: Million Dollar Smackdown - PlayStation 2 Feature at IGN". Uk.sports.ign.com. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  5. ^ Harris, Jeffrey (February 6, 2020). "Hacksaw Jim Duggan on How His Character Was an Extension of His Personality, Why You Can't Write Certain Wrestlers' Promos". 411Mania. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "Top 50 villains in wrestling history". WWE. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "WWE's greatest villains: Ric Flair, CM Punk, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and more". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 2, 2019.