WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. is recovering after a fall at an airport left him bloodied and with a black eye. On his \”Everybody\’s Got A Pod\” poddcast, DiBiase shared that he fell when rushing through the airport and tripping over a child that had fallen while playing.
On the pod, DiBiase shared his black eye and added that there\’s still plenty of bruising down his right side. DiBiase was grateful to not suffer any broken ribs, an injury that the Million Dollar Man has suffered in the past.
The former WWE World Champion was also grateful for a gate attendant that offered a rag to help clean his bleeding face. Summing up the unfortunate experience, Ted tried to see the funny side of things. Saying that the incident was an \”embarrassment,\” DiBiase found it ironic that a former wrestler \”takes a bump in the Atlanta airport.\”
DiBiase is certainly going to be sore for some time, but this situation could have been much worse. Now, the WWE Hall of Famer will need to focus on his recovery, and watching his footing the next time he\’s at the airport.
WWE is diving head first into the nostalgia for WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event with legends reportedly on tap to appear, but some plans have changed.
In addition to \”The Body,\” additional legends slated to be at the Nassau Coliseum include Koko B. Ware, Greg Valentine, Tito Santana, Jimmy Hart and Ted DiBiase. However, I can confirm that Ted DiBiase will not be one of the names appearing. The Million Dollar Man had committed to appear, but he was forced to withdraw and is no longer able to attend.
The Million Dollar Man headlined multiple episodes of Saturday Night\’s Main Event in the 1980\’s and 1990\’s
Ted DiBiase and Saturday Night\’s Main Event
Ted DiBiase was a fixture of Saturday Night\’s Main Event during its heyday. He had memorable matches on SNME throughout his career, most notably a count-out victory over Randy Savage (March 1988) that was rated 4.5 stars by historian Dave Meltzer. Other high-profile opponents on the show included The Ultimate Warrior (1990) and Bret Hart (1991).
DiBiase last was a major presence on WWE programming down in NXT as he played a pivotal role in the feud between Cameron Grimes and a heel LA Knight. Grimes and Knight battled one another over the Million Dollar Championship before it was DiBiase who pulled a fast one on both by taking the title back. The program ultimately helped to lead LA Knight up to the main roster.
Despite a major name like DiBiase not being at SNME, WWE is going to pack a punch with the card on tap for the evening. Cody Rhodes will be defending his WWE Undisputed Championship against Kevin Owens, GUNTER will be facing Finn Balor and Damian Priest in an effort to retain his WWE World Heavyweight Championship, an inaugural WWE United States Women\’s Champion will be crowned, Liv Morgan will take on IYO SKY and Sami Zayn will go one-on-one with Drew McIntyre.
WWE is looking to create a retro vibe for the return of Saturday Night\’s Main Event this weekend and their efforts include bringing in a number of legends for the show.
The company previously confirmed that legendary wrestler and broadcast personality Jesse Ventura will be returning to commentary for the upcoming event.
Now PWInsider is reporting that the former Minnesota governor is not the only big name booked for the night. According to them, names such as Ted Dibiase, Jimmy Hart, Tito Santana, Greg Valentine, and Koko B. Ware will also be in attendance at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The inclusion of legendary names is a tradition the company has re-established in recent times. Many WWE veterans attended the recent SmackDown 25th anniversary special while a number of hardcore legends were brought in when NXT emanated from the 2300 Arena.
The upcoming show is not only expected to feature talents from the past but Triple H and Cody Rhodes have also teased bringing back a classic title belt for one night only during the show.
The return of Saturday Night\’s Main Event will be headlined by Cody defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against former friend Kevin Owens. You can check out our predictions for the show here.
Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. has seen his trial pushed back in relation to the largest case of welfare fund fraud in the history of the state of Mississippi.
DiBiase is charged with allegedly using two different companies to receive money from \”at least five sham contracts.\” DiBiase, according to litigation, received full or almost full payments regardless of whether sufficient, if any work, was carried out.
This is connected to a massive welfare scandal that involved several prominent names, including Ted\’s father Ted Sr. Brett DiBiase, the brother of Ted Jr. has pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Judge Withdraws
Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial against DiBiase, though the reasoning behind this decision is currently not publicly known. In their place, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial.
Trial Pushed Back
Because of this change, the trial against the former WWE World Tag Team Champion has been pushed back. He was originally set to face a pre-trial conference on June 21 and was scheduled to stand trial on July 16. Instead, DiBiase will face a jury trial on January 7, 2025.
What Has the DiBiase Family Said?
Ted DiBiase Jr. has pled not guilty to all charges against him and was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond. When asked for comment when leaving the court, he told WAPT-TV \”Jesus loves you.\”
Ted Sr., who reportedly received a $250,000 check from the Family Resource Center in fraudulent funds, has hit out at the case. The WWE Hall of Famer said in June 2023 that the case is \”garbage\” and that his family is being made into a \”scapegoat.\”
What\’s Next?
If convicted, Ted Jr. faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. He also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering.
WWE has added some more names to the line-up for the upcoming Raw 30th Anniversary special, including Diamond Dallas Page among others.
In a graphic shown during this week\’s episode of SmackDown, the company confirmed that DDP, Ted DiBiase, Mike \”Irwin R. Schyster\” Rotunda, Alundra Blayze, The Godfather, and Jimmy Hart will all be a part of the upcoming celebration.
This comes after the promotion added Hulk Hogan and Triple H to an already stacked line up for the episode earlier in the day.
Raw 30th Anniversary Match Card
WWE will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw on January 23. You can check out the announced card for the show below:
WWE United States Championship Match: Austin Theory vs. Bobby Lashley
Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos vs. Judgement Day
Steel Cage Match: Becky Lynch vs. Bayley
Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Other names scheduled for the special episode include The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Road Dogg, X-Pac, Ric Flair, Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler, Teddy Long, Ron Simmons, and Kurt Angle.
Rikishi and Samu are expected to participate in the Bloodline acknowledgment ceremony. The Bella Twins who were originally announced for Raw are no longer part of the promotional graphic.
Well, today’s the big day. After weeks of counting down, Christmas Day is finally upon us.
This day will see countless people around the world open presents, and as we all know, WWE is no stranger to embracing the Holiday spirit
Here are five of the best Holiday moments to curl up in a warm blanket and watch this festive season.
5: A Christmas Carol starring ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
We all have our favorite renditions of Charles Dickens’ classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’ which tells the story of a wicked man who turns good when he learns about the meaning of Christmas.
Some people see the Muppets Christmas Carol as the best, while others like my father herald Alastair Sim’s 1951 portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge as the best telling of the story.
Well on December 20th, 1985, the WWF gave their own rendition of A Christmas Carol, this one starring none other than ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper.
Unquestionably the biggest heel of the year, that week’s episode of Tuesday Night Titans saw Piper visited by three spirits, eager to teach the Hot Rod to change his wicked ways.
Unlike Scrooge though, Piper learned no lessons, and would instead vow to be more wicked after his ghostly visitations.
It would be another two years before Piper turned face and become one of the most beloved good guys of all time, and by 1989, he’d be the one defending Christmas from Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan.
4: A Very Merry D-X-Mas
DX showed Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter exactly what they thought of him during an episode of Raw in 1997.
Forming in 1997, D-Generation X would establish themselves as a counterculture, anti-authority group, much to the chagrin of WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter.
After making an ass out of the company, Triple H and Shawn Michaels would go one step further, exposing their buttocks to spell out a festive message, all while Chyna was in the ring with them.
To counteract, Slaughter booked a gift of a main event: Shawn Michaels Vs. Triple H for HBK’s European title.
After teasing dissension for the rest of the show, the pair ‘fought’ in the ring, but to call this a match is a stretch.
Triple H \”powered\” Michaels to the mat out of collar and elbow tie-up, then comically ran the ropes before delivering a big splash that didn\’t make contact.
One pinfall later and the Game was the new European Champion, while the two friends celebrated their very fake match.
Sure, it may have devalued the European title somewhat, but DX got one over on Commissioner Slaughter in an iconic festive moment.
3: The Arrival of Xanta Claus
ECW alum Balls Mahoney played Xanta Claus, an evil counterpart to Jolly ol\’ Saint Nick who heralded from the South Pole.
We all know the story of Santa Claus: the rosy-cheeked, bearded legend who lives at the North Pole, and judges whether people have been naughty or nice.
Well after a career of humiliating others, Ted DiBiase was definitely on the naughty list, and proved just how bad he could be in 1995.
Interrupting a segment with Savio Vega and ‘Santa,’ DiBiase proved everybody has a price for him, as Mr. Claus attacked Vega.
With that, DiBiase introduced the wrestling world to Xanta Claus, the polar opposite (quite literally) of Jolly ol\’ Saint Nick.
Xanta Claus (played by future ECW staple Balls Mahoney) would not last long, and while the angle is incredibly goofy, it goes to show that anything can happen in the WWE.
2: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin Stuns Santa Claus
WWE has hosted plenty of festive shows over the years, but the December 22, 1997, episode of Raw remains arguably the best holiday edition of the red brand ever produced.
Airing from Worcester, Massachusetts, the show was dripping in festive cheer, but the most iconic moment came from good ol’ ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
After a fake Santa Claus mocked a young boy, Austin made the save, stomping to the ring in that way only the Bionic Redneck can.
Berating the evil Santa, Austin dropped the not-so-jolly Saint Nick in what has become an iconic Christmas moment.
For all of Austin’s badassery, the segment showed that Austin still had a heart, cementing why it was okay to cheer this foul-mouthed, beer-swilling S.O.B.
Stunning the fake Santa proved that you could never quite predict what the Rattlesnake was going to do, and this unpredictability would be just part of what would launch Austin into mega-stardom the following year.
1: Tribute to the Troops
Six years after stunning Santa Claus, Steve Austin donned the iconic red suit himself to drop then-WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
For most of us, the holidays are a time to be with family and loved ones, surrounded by presents, food, and warmth.
For those serving in the armed forces though, they don’t get to enjoy such luxuries, but WWE attempted to bring some festive cheer to those on duty.
In 2003, WWE introduced Tribute to Troops, an event that has become an annual display of support and appreciation for those who are risking their lives for their country.
The brainchild of John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, the show still carries on to this day, though takes place back in the U.S. instead of being in the Middle East as it was originally.
Nevertheless, this small token of appreciation goes a long way, and with the show taking place every December, there are plenty of seasonal festivities to enjoy each year at Tribute to the Troops.
In February of 2020, a story broke that Brett Dibiase, son of the \”Million Dollar Man\” Ted Dibiase had been one of six people arrested as part of an embezzlement scheme regarding welfare funds for the state of Mississippi. Brett had been hired as deputy administrator at the Mississippi Department of Human Services in 2017 before his arrest.
Recently, State Auditor Shad White sent out several letters demanding repayment for misspent welfare dollars. Although all details have not been revealed, Dibiase Sr.\’s Heart of David Ministry, had received $2.1 million in welfare money from the state of Mississippi, according to state records.
Yesterday, a report from Mississippi Today revealed names of individuals and the total amount they owe the state. Amongst those names is also Brett Favre. The former quarterback is said to owe over $800 thousand paid to him for speaking engagements that he did not attend.
Brett Dibiase, Ted Dibiase Sr, and Ted Dibiase Jr. were also named in the report.
\”Ted DiBiase Jr., a retired WWE wrestler, must return $3.9 million,\” the reports reads. \”Virtually all the money he earned as a motivational speaker for the welfare agency, plus interest.\”
Ted Dibiase Sr. owes just under what he spent in storyline on the Million Dollar Championship belt. He is being asked to repay $722,299 that his Christian ministry received.
Meanwhile, Brett Dibiase who worked as the state administrator, is being asked to repay $225,950.
Correction: -"Million Dollar Man" WWE wrestler Ted Dibiase, Sr. must pay back $723k that his Christian ministry received -His son, ex-WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase, Jr., owes $3.9 million -His other WWE wrestler son, Brett DiBiase, owes $225,950https://t.co/0c07k4IfxO
The storyline involving the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, Cameron Grimes and LA Knight has been dominating NXT. The build-up between Grimes and DiBiase grained pace when Knight stepped into the frame. Both men claiming they have what it takes to carry on the million dollar legacy.
The pair will face off one-on-one at the upcoming NXT In Your House PPV, with the winner believing they will receive the favor of Ted DiBiase. However, the story is not yet fully told.
WWE recently tweeted that tonight on the In Hour House go-home episode of NXT, Ted DiBiase is making a priceless announcement.
This is most likely to be the confirmation of the return of the Million Dollar Belt. The winner between Grimes and Knight being awarded the belt at NXT In Your House.
This would be the logical conclusion to any storyline involving Ted DiBiase. Not to mention, the poster for the NXT In Your House show already features the belt.
With both Grimes and Knight playing heel characters the feud lacks the traditional good guy versus bad guy appeal. However, it means both men would be a perfect fit for some million-dollar tutelage.
The Million Dollar Belt has been out of circulation since 2010 but hasn’t seriously been used since the mid-’90s. While never officially recognized as a title, there is no denying that having that on your shoulder and Ted DiBiase in your corner is a benefit for any wrestler.
\”The Million Dollar Man\” Ted Dibiase was once WWF Champion…sort of. Immediately after Andre the Giant defeated Hulk Hogan to win the title on The Main Event in 1988, he quickly surrendered it to Dibiase. The Hebner brothers were involved as well. It was a fairly controversial night.
Distinguished WWE figurehead Jack Tunney ultimately vacated the championship due to the controversy. A tournament to crown a new champion was set for WrestleMania IV, with Dibiase making it to the finals against the winner, \”Macho Man\” Randy Savage.
Dibiase now wants his \’phantom\’ title reign to be made official. This despite the fact he never actually beat anybody to win it. He has issued a petition to make his reign official.
\”In February of 1988, Ted enslisted the services of the legendary Andre The Giant to assist with capturing the WWF Championship,\” reads a description of the petition. \”Andre was successful in pinning Hulk Hogan at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN. In the history books WWE has decided not to recognize this title reign even though Ted defended the championship at a live show against Bam Bam Bigelow.\”
Dibiase did wrestle Bam Bam Bigelow at several WWF house shows in February of 1988 before Tunney had officially declared the title vacant.
\”Support Ted by signing this petition asking WWE to #MAKEITOFFICIAL.\”
#MakeItOfficial
Although WWE does not recognize Dibiase\’s short WWF Championship reign, he has held several other titles. Along with IRS, Dibiase\’s Money Inc team are 3x WWF tag-team champions. In 1989, he would declare himself the Million Dollar Champion. He even had his own belt commissioned.
Thousands of fans have signed the petition already and I didn’t buy a single one! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Ted DiBiase has been popping up on NXT quite frequently over the last few weeks. Much to the anguish of Cameron Grimes. Recent news suggests that the NXT universe will see the return of another old-school legend. Only this time it isn’t a person, but rather, a belt.
Ahead of their million-dollar showdown on NXT, sources have revealed that the Million Dollar Belt is being brought back into rotation.
The news was broken inadvertently by Andrew Zaharian of the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast.
“Sorry to the individual that told me but Million Dollar Belt is coming back,” Zaharian said. “I don’t know for how long but they’re gonna have it on TV. People are very excited within WWE about the Million Dollar Belt.”
Ted Dibiase first introduced the Million-Dollar Belt back in 1989. It is an unsanctioned title, that changed hands a few times. The most notable million-dollar champion was The Ringmaster a.k.a. Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Ted DiBiase appeared in the NXT area for the first time last week, when it cost Grimes his match against Jake Atlas. Right now, it is unclear what direction NXT creative are going to take with DiBiase. However, the upcoming segment with Grimes, and the million-dollar belt comeback, points to a single outcome.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPDzNLlsvRc/
Ted DiBiase is likely to offer the belt to Grimes and bring the recently wealthy man under his wing. DiBiase is a WWE legend, and teaming him with Grimes would be a great way to keep the storyline rolling. Otherwise, it’s hard to see where Cameron would be heading, other than being a mere flash in the pan.
Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase recently appeared on SiriusXM\’s Busted Open Radio. The Million Dollar Man discussed a number of topics from his career, including when he turned heel against Junkyard Dog in Mid-South Wrestling.
DiBiase revealed a hilarious story from that time that involved Grizzly Smith, former wrestler in his own right and father of the legendary Jake \’The Snake\’ Roberts.
\”Funny story is that as soon as I turned heel? Grizzly Smith, that\’s Jake Roberts dad, he was kind of like the agent who showed up at all the shows and let everybody know what they were going to do that night.\”
Ted DiBiase Talks Grizzly Smith
DiBiase elaborated further, saying \”and so I told Grizzly I said \’I am not driving my car\’ and he said \’why?\’ I said \’you know why, because when I come out it\’ll be on blocks back there!\’\”
Ted DiBiase would then compare the old school fans to now, saying \”they took the wrestling real serious, and especially in New Orleans. So he [Grizzly] said \’okay well then ride with me.\’ So I wrote down there with him. And he\’s \’neutral\’ right? And so, we have the match. I told Junkyard Dog, I said \’you can\’t just roll out there like you normally do. All these people? They think that you have just been screwed by your best friend. So you come running, you slide in and I and I\’ll slide out. I\’ll run around the ring and I\’ll roll back in; you roll back in and hit me with whatever you want, just keep coming at me until I say quit.\’\”
DiBiase then talked what happened backstage. \”So I get back in the dressing room and I\’ve showered. Grizzly comes walking in and he just puts both his hands on his hips. He just looked at me shaking his head. I said, \’what\’s wrong? He said \’they [the fans] slit my tires! We\’re gonna be here a while. I said \’see I told you!\’ I said \’they slit your tires, I wouldn\’t have had a car!\’\”
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