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Demon Of The Ring Now Wrestles With The Angels

Demon Of The Ring Now Wrestles With The Angels

Posted: Sep 13th 2010 By: CMBurnham

The Million Dollar Man does not believe in evolution, but he himself has evolved. The longtime wrestling heel, better known as Ted DiBiase, is softer than he once was. He's chubby even.

His body, which spent decades wrapped in spandex tights, is today draped in a black T-shirt and suit. Notably, there are no dollar signs on his lapels.

After a long career as a pro-wrestling villain, DiBiase now serves another cause. He travels the world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Although he does weddings and conventions too.)

On Sunday, at the Church on 99th, near 67th Avenue, DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man, spoke the Word, three times

Between sermons, he sold signed photos -- $10 each, $5 for kids -- and posed with fans, only some of whom seemed to stick around for the Jesus bit.

Inside the worship hall, DiBiase stood with a mocked-up wrestling ring to his back. He performed no Million Dollar Dreams -- his signature choke hold -- and stuffed no bills in vanquished mouths -- his trademark gimmick.

Instead he told a mostly stock story of a superstar brought low by drugs, booze and women, then rescued by belief.

DiBiase was born into the wrestling game. His stepfather, "Iron" Mike DiBiase, wrestled professionally for years. After playing college football, the younger DiBiase got into the sport too.

He wrestled in smaller circuits through most of the 1970s. But his big break came in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation.

In the early 1980s, DiBiase said on Sunday that McMahon came to him with an idea for a character. Arrogant, rich and evil, the new role would make DiBiase the consummate heel, the wrestler fans love to hate. And thus the Million Dollar Man was born.

Over the next 15 years, DiBiase fought Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake Roberts and other giants of the game. His shtick, the man who could buy anything, proved hilariously easy to loathe. In one storyline, he offered to buy the championship belt from Hogan. When that didn't work, he bought his own title.

Outside the ring, DiBiase said, he was living the high life: private jets, limousines and, though he was married, lots and lots of women.

The lifestyle came to a head after a big event in 1992. After a night of carousing, DiBiase called his wife to check in. She told him she knew everything.

And yet, despite a list of infidelities DiBiase said rivalled that of Tiger Woods, his wife took him back. He recommitted to his faith and changed his life. This New Year's the two will celebrate 29 years together as man and wife.

Up close, DiBiase is both bigger and smaller than you'd expect for a professional wrestler. He is not particularly tall -- you'd never mistake him for a basketball player. But his head is gigantic. In fact, it is almost indescribably large, like a boulder with a face. His body is not what it was in his wrestling days. He says he has added about 27 kilograms since he retired. He still has the well-known beard, though it's grey now instead of black.

DiBiase's talk Sunday was not all about his personal story. He also touched on Israel, which he supports ( "There's no rational explanation for why Israel exists except for God") and science, which he does not ( "If we've been around for six billion years like they want us to believe, there wouldn't be enough surface area on the earth for all the people.")

He also derided the idea of evolution and had unkind words for television evangelism: "There's a lot of television evangelists I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw."

Oh, and also, the Million Dollar Man performs miracles. It's true. He said so himself.

On a mission trip to India, alongside a group from Medicine Hat, DiBiase said he laid hands on orphans born hearing impaired and mute. He prayed and they were healed. But you know, no big deal.

After Sunday's final sermon, DiBiase was to hit the road. He is due in Lloydminster later this week. In the next month, he'll be at the Big Apple Comic-Con in New York, a wedding in South Carolina and a wrestling event in Moose Jaw, Sask. In between each are more religious events.

And if the idea of a pro wrestler as preacher seems a little far fetched, well, you don't have to tell DiBiase.

"The last thing Ted DiBiase ever thought he'd be doing," he said Sunday, "is preaching the word of Jesus Christ."

 

Tags: Ted DiBiase, Mike DiBiase, WWF, Jake Roberts

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Spotlight in History

  • 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
  • 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title

Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25

  • 04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
  • 04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
  • 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
  • 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
  • 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
  • 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
  • 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
  • 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
  • 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
  • 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
  • 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
  • 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
  • 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
  • 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
04-23
  • Moose Apr 23rd Today!
  • Tony Atlas Apr 23rd Today!
  • Blade [2nd] Apr 23rd Today!
  • Terry Gordy Apr 23rd Today!
  • Ethan Price Apr 24th
  • Lou Thesz Apr 24th
  • Lance Von Erich Apr 24th
  • Bobby Joe Bristow Apr 25th
  • Walker Stewart Apr 25th
  • Zack Zilla Apr 25th
  • Max Mercer Apr 25th
  • Brett Stopp Apr 25th
  • Crash Davis Apr 25th
  • Eric Roberts Apr 25th
  • Carl Fergie Apr 25th
  • Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
  • Havoc Apr 26th
  • Karl Kox Apr 26th
  • Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th
  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
  • Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
  • Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
  • Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
  • Prince Maivia May 1st
  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • Jay Hazzard May 4th
  • Dory Funk May 4th
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
  • Malik Mayfield May 4th
  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • El Matador Dos May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th

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