For much of the 1980s, Ted DiBiase built out his reputation as an excellent wrestler and talker, working across the NWA and around the world. His persona took off even further when he signed with McMahon in 1987 and joined the WWF, becoming a top star there near the end of the decade. He stayed with the company until 1996, when he joined WCW before later returning to WWE for an onscreen and behind-the-scenes position.

Known as “The Million Dollar Man,” it’s ironic that DiBiase has been closely associated with money throughout his wrestling career, as his family has become embroiled in a welfare fraud scandal in recent years. In 2020, reports emerged claiming that Ted’s son Brett DiBiase, who was deputy administrator of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, handed out more than $2 million in welfare funds to Ted’s ministry. The scandal was widespread, involving figures ranging from former NFL quarterback Brett Favre to Brett’s brother, Ted Jr., and members of the DiBiase family could still be served jail time over the incident.