Former WWE Star Ted DiBiase Jr. Found Not Guilty In Welfare Fraud Case

Former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr. was found not guilty on Friday of all criminal counts in his Mississippi welfare fraud conspiracy trial after being accused of misappropriating millions of dollars intended for families in need. The son of WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, and former Legacy stablemate alongside Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, was indicted by the US Department of Justice almost three years ago. He was charged with the theft of millions of dollars in federal funds.

According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, jurors deliberated for around four hours. DiBiase Jr.’s trial began on January 6, though was halted for over a month shortly after it began, due to an illness suffered by his lead defense attorney. The Ledger reported DiBiase faced 13 counts, including four counts of money laundering and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The former WWE talent pleaded not guilty to the charges and did not testify in the federal case. He faced up to five years in prison.

DiBiase Jr. spoke to local media following the conclusion of the trial, and a clip of his comments to WAPT News was posted to X. He said that the past seven years of “being slandered” had “about torn his family apart,” and he was thankful it was all over.

Several high profile defendants were also initially named in the scandal, including “The Million Dollar Man” and his other son, Brett, as well as former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. As of January, DiBiase Jr. was the only defendant to stand trial. DiBiase Sr.’s friend, John Davis, the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, is alleged to have given millions of dollars in funds from the department to two companies owned by DiBiase Jr. and a nonprofit owned by DiBiase Sr.

Toni Storm Set For Extended AEW Absence Following Injury Angle

Toni Storm Set For Extended AEW Absence Following Injury Angle

AEW is now bracing for Toni Storm to be sidelined for the rest of 2026 at the very least following the injury that forced her off the March 18 episode of Dynamite, with creative already pivoting around her absence.

Storm was written out during Dynamite in Fresno through a non contact backstage attack angle. The segment included subtle clues to spark fan speculation, while AEW already has a clear direction planned for revealing the attacker.

She had originally been set to face Marina Shafir in a no holds barred match, but was pulled after not being medically cleared. Mina Shirakawa stepped in as a late replacement and defeated Shafir using Storm Zero. Just minutes before the broadcast, AEW shared footage showing Storm bloodied in her locker room, with Shirakawa and Luther checking on her.

Bryan Alvarez of F4Wonline.com reported the situation was legitimate, confirming Shirakawa was not part of the original plan. The latest update suggests the injury is far more serious than first believed, with AEW now preparing for a lengthy absence that could stretch through the remainder of the year.

The development also throws a wrench into the teased storyline with Ronda Rousey, who made a surprise appearance at AEW Revolution on March 15 and confronted Storm after her win. Dave Meltzer has since indicated there has been no word of a Storm versus Rousey match currently being scheduled.

AEW has yet to publicly confirm details on the injury, and Storm has not addressed her condition.

Backstage Reason Behind Drew McIntyre Vs Jacob Fatu Match On WWE SmackDown Revealed

WWE SmackDown is set to feature a high profile clash between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, but the bout is not expected to serve as a final chapter in their rivalry. Instead, the match is being positioned as a key step in building anticipation for their upcoming encounter at WrestleMania 42.
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  • Nickelback Confirmed As Official Theme For WWE WrestleMania 42

    Nickelback Confirmed As Official Theme For WWE WrestleMania 42

    Nickelback is officially back in the WWE spotlight as the road to WrestleMania 42 continues to build momentum.

    Triple H revealed on X that the band’s latest track, “Bones for the Crows,” has been selected as one of the official theme songs for this year’s Showcase of the Immortals.

    “They’ve rocked with us for over 20 years, and their new song will soundtrack the Grandest Stage of Them All. @Nickelback’s ‘Bones For The Crows’ is an official #WrestleMania theme song,” Triple H wrote.

    This marks another chapter in a long-running relationship between WWE and Nickelback. The band previously provided the iconic Raw theme “Burn It to the Ground” between 2009 and 2012, with other tracks such as “Rockstar” and “Edge of a Revolution” also featured across WWE programming over the years. “Bones for the Crows” was originally produced for the Dungeon Hunter 6 video game in 2023 and stands as the group’s first new single since the release of their Get Rollin album in November 2022.

    The WrestleMania 42 soundtrack has already featured Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD’s take on “Back in the Saddle” in promotional material, adding to the event’s big-fight atmosphere.

    WrestleMania 42 is set for April 18 and 19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The card is already stacked with major championship clashes, including Roman Reigns facing CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship, Randy Orton battling Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, and a high-profile women’s lineup that sees Rhea Ripley challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Title, while Stephanie Vaquer defends the Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan.

    NJPW Plans Major Contract Overhaul To Stop Talent Exodus

    NJPW Plans Major Contract Overhaul To Stop Talent Exodus

    NJPW is exploring major contract changes as it looks to keep its top stars from leaving for rival promotions.

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