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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

  • 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

  • 07-19 1968 Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith def. The Spoiler & Gary Hart for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Brandon Warhawk became the MajCW Flawless Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Nightwolf became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 07-19 2024 Cardinal Sin def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Jason Simon/Bishop Simon def. Nightwolf for the MajCW Native American Title
  • 07-19 2024 Deacon Hendrix def. Cardinal Sin for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-19 2024 Tyler Shade def. Deacon Hendrix for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
  • 07-20 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
  • 07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 07-21 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. The Assassin & The Angel [1st] for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
  • 07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
  • 07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 07-22 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
07-23
  • Mikey O'Shea Jul 23rd Today!
  • Louie Tillet Jul 23rd Today!
  • Jay Clayton Jul 23rd Today!
  • Al Perez Jul 23rd Today!
  • Maniac Mike Jul 23rd Today!
  • Seann Stopp Jul 23rd Today!
  • Outlaw [1st] Jul 23rd Today!
  • Anthony Wild Jul 24th
  • Original Oklahoma Outlaw Jul 24th
  • Skip Young Jul 24th
  • Joe Savoldi Jul 24th
  • Pastor Brent Jul 25th
  • Red River Jack [2nd] Jul 25th
  • Norman Charles Jul 25th
  • Kevin Morgan Jul 25th
  • Jack Gamble Jul 25th
  • Yali Sapphire Jul 25th
  • Athan Sorrow Jul 25th
  • Mike Bytheway Jul 26th
  • Lee Cook Jul 26th
  • T. J. Muniz Jul 27th
  • Eric Rose Jul 27th
  • Johnny Idol Jul 27th
  • Nova Phoenix Jul 27th
  • Matt Borne Jul 27th
  • Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th
  • Tom Simon Jul 27th
  • Tim Woods Jul 28th
  • Butch Malone Jul 28th
  • Sammy Guevara Jul 28th
  • Brixton Barricade Jul 28th
  • Brian Lakewood Jul 28th
  • Luke Brown Jul 28th
  • Herb Calvert Jul 28th
  • Betty Boucher Jul 29th
  • Scott Steiner Jul 29th
  • Dan Webber Jul 29th
  • Antonio Vega Jul 29th
  • Boss Campbell Jul 29th
  • Ace Archuleta Jul 29th
  • Bobby Whitlock Jul 29th
  • Oliver John Jul 29th
  • Billy Starr Jul 29th
  • Derek James Jul 30th
  • Trey Bearhill Jul 31st
  • Kid Kash Jul 31st
  • Floyd Maystorm Jul 31st
  • Wayne Black Jul 31st
  • Everett Rattan Aug 1st
  • Eric the Red Aug 1st
  • Dale Robinson Aug 1st
  • Joel Deaton Aug 1st
  • Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
  • Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
  • Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
  • Tim Rockwell Aug 2nd
  • Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
  • Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
  • Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
  • Karl Gotch Aug 3rd
  • Altar Boy Sanchez Aug 3rd
  • Haystacks Calhoun Aug 3rd
  • Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
  • Stormi Renee Aug 4th
  • Ellis Bashara Aug 4th
  • Roy Dunn Aug 4th
  • Alaskan Aug 4th
  • Tyson Jaymes Aug 4th
  • Stan Lane Aug 5th
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