Ted DiBiase drew the ire of opponents and fans alike with his self-centered and obscenely rich “Million Dollar Man” gimmick during the late ’80s and early ’90s. He would proudly flaunt his money before buying his way through everything and everyone because “everybody has a price.”
As the Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase made a career out of screwing opponents from clean wins and butted heads with some of the most popular babyfaces of his era. He would also introduce the Million Dollar Championship – an exorbitant belt encrusted with fancy jewels and the $ plate.
His feuds with almost every major babyface made DiBiase arguably the greatest villain of WWE’s golden era. With that said, let’s take a look at the Million Dollar Man’s greatest opponents.
Dusty Rhodes’ earliest feud in WWE came against Ted DiBiase
Dusty Rhodes was one of the biggest names in the territories when he signed up with Vince McMahon’s WWE in 1989. Unfortunately, McMahon was never too high on the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and had him don the infamous polka dots in addition to putting him in underwhelming storylines.
Despite the odd booking, Dusty relied on his professionalism to make the most out of his time in WWE. He entered into a heated feud with Ted DiBiase, with Dusty serving as the archetype for the common man against the rich, egotistical, and narcissistic DiBiase. The pair also captained their respective teams at the 1990 Survivor Series pay-per-view event.
Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts and Ted DiBiase first crossed paths in Mid-South Wrestling, which saw Roberts work as a referee before becoming a full-time wrestler. The pair brought their rivalry to Vince McMahon’s WWE in the late eighties.
DiBiase’s tremendous in-ring psychology, coupled with Robert’s intricate promo work, produced one of the most compelling rivalries on WWE television at the time. The duo had some incredible matches at house shows, but the highlight of the feud came at WrestleMania VI.
When asked what’s his favorite WrestleMania match, DiBiase referred to his outing with the Snake as his “favorite WrestleMania match of all time.”
Hulk Hogan
Ted DiBiase’s first and only (unrecognized) WWE Championship win came at the expense of Hulk Hogan on the historic February 5, 1988, Main Event program. Andre the Giant won the title from the Hulkster and immediately sold it to the Million Dollar Man.
Dismayed at DiBiase’s tactics, company president Jack Tunney declared the championship vacant and announced a tournament to crown the new winner at WrestleMania IV.
Vince McMahon had a golden opportunity to recognize and extend Ted DiBiase’s title reign and put him in a lengthy feud with the Hulkster, but he passed on that.
Randy Savage
The feud between Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase was tied into the Million Dollar Man’s controversial WWE Championship win at 1988’s Main Event. The pair took part in the tournament to for the vacant WWE Championship.
DiBiase had a little bit of leeway as he benefitted from a draw between Savage and Hogan in the build to the finals at WrestleMania IV. However, he would ultimately lose to the Macho Man following Hogan’s interference on the grandest stage of them all.
DiBiase and Savage would collide on multiple occasions for the championship, with the pair having a 4.5-star classic inside a Steel Cage at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1988.
Virgil vs. Ted DiBiase became the highlight of both men’s careers
For three years, Virgil played Ted DiBiase’s personal bodyguard as well as his occasional punching bag. The Soul Train would carry DiBiase’s money for him to flaunt in front of fans and opponents. He’d also wrestle matches on his boss’s behalf.
WWE did a brilliant job with the slow-burn feud that saw Virgil stood up to his employer in one of the most captivating angles of that era. Thanks to Roddy Piper’s verbal backing and the tremendous fan support, Virgil finally confronted his boss at WrestleMania 7, where he won via count-out.
The pair met again at SummerSlam, where Virgil finally scored a pinfall win over Ted DiBiase for the Million Dollar Championship.
Also read: Virgil On Working With Ted DiBiase, Not Being Included In The nWo’s Hall of Fame Induction
