Forgotten Legends22: Ted DiBiase
His first foray into the wrestling ring was when he was 15 years old when his adopted father, Iron Mike Dibiase had a heart attack in the ring with Harley Race rushing in first trying to save his life with CPR.
Having been trained by the Funks and nurtured there for four years he joined WWWF run by McMahon Sr. and became the North American Heavyweight Champion which unified with non-existent South American Heavyweight championship by Pat Patterson to become Intercontinental championship. Here, he also became Hulk Hogan's first opponent in MSG.
He then moved to NWA,AJPW and UWF having held numerous titles with many heel/face turns before UWF's contract renewal was stopped due to Jim Cornette's buying of it when he accepted WWF contract from Mcmahon Jr. after promises from his friend Pat Patterson that the gimmick was something Vince had designed for himself, Million Dollar Man for which he is mostly known in spite of having an illustrious, respected and acknowledged career as one of the best in ring technicians with over 27 world titles to his name before becoming the guy who had a price for everyone.
Ted Dibiase, the wrestler, is a forgotten legend shadowed by the Million Dollar Man.
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“My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!” ~ De Sade
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Forgotten Legends22: Ted DiBiase
