Ted DiBiase: ‘God will take a mess and make it a message’

By NASH NUNNERY

With the Heart of David, this WWE superstar has swapped piledrivers for prayer and saving lost souls

At first glance, there would appear to be a huge dichotomy between the diverse worlds of professional wrestling and evangelism.
After all, Figure Four Leg Locks and Pile Drivers don’t seem to be in harmony with prayer or saving lost souls.
Right?
Wrong, says Ted DiBiase, Sr.
The long-time Clinton resident is qualified to speak on both subjects. He’s a former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar-turned-minister.
“As Christians, we are directed by God to influence the lost,” he says, “and you can’t do it by sitting in church. You have to go out where the people are.”
Known to legions of pro wrestling fans as The Million Dollar Man, the 6-foot-3 DiBiase toiled in the squared circle for almost 20 years and became a household name, both as a performer and a manager.
Despite fame and celebrity, DiBiase remains genuine, says a friend.
“Some people of his stature might expect special treatment,” said Ken Anderson, pastor of Clinton’s Parkway Baptist Church. “Not Ted. You’d never know he was somebody famous when you meet him.”
DiBiase literally cut his teeth on a ring post. His mother Helen Hild, was an accomplished pro wrestler, as was stepfather “Iron” Mike DiBiase, who died of a heart attack in the ring when Ted was 15.
He’s appeared in a movie (Paradise Alley, starring Sylvester Stallone), been interviewed on live television by Larry King and has even been mentioned in a rap song.
Hip-hop artist Nick Cannon cited DiBiase’s name in his 2004 hit, “Feelin’ Freaky.”
Even though he is retired from the ring, his Million Dollar Man character is still featured in a variety of video games, including all three WWE Legends of Wrestling videos.
DiBiase’s accomplishments in professional wrestling haven’t gone unnoticed by his peers. He will be inducted March 27 into the WWE Hall of Fame and join mat legends such as Gorilla Monsoon, Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, Killer Kowalski and Jerry Lawler in the sport’s Valhalla.
The Omaha native completed his second book, Ted DiBiase, The Million Dollar Man, a couple of years ago. Published by Simon & Schuster, the book is DiBiase’s candid account of his life inside and out of the squared circle.
“This book is my story – I wrote Every Man Has His Price in 1997 about my Christian faith, but I focus more on my wrestling career in this one, although there is some crossover,” said DiBiase. “It’s a behind-the-scenes look at pro wrestling and gives people a glimpse into the sport and the people in the industry.”
DiBiase pulls no punches in the 241-page volume.
He says the nature of the wrestling industry, and the temptations on the road, almost ended his marriage, writing “I’d conducted myself in a very immoral manner.”
Traveling the pro circuit in the early stages of his career, DiBiase said he began doing things he normally wouldn’t, like drinking alcohol.
“You go out with the guys on the road and you have a beer. Then it turns into two beers and then a six-pack,” he said. “You wake up with a hangover, you start missing church and pretty soon, you’re not going,” he once claimed in an interview.
DiBiase says his fall from grace was the catalyst to turn his life around and earn wife Melanie’s trust again.
“God will take a mess and make it a message,” he said. “With our sons grown now, Melanie and I have begun to do couples ministry together. God forgave me and so did Melanie. She gave me another chance and for that I am so grateful.”
Melanie, who grew up in Atlanta, credits her friends in Clinton for embracing her family during good times and bad.
“I can’t express my gratitude enough to the people of Clinton for always being there for us,” she said. “When I met Ted, I knew nothing about the business of wrestling and how hard it is on family life. But not for my extended family in this town, I don’t know if I would have made it.”
WWE television announcer Jim Ross, who’s known the popular DiBiase since their affiliation with Mid-South Wrestling, says The Million Dollar Man’s story contains valuable life lessons for young and old alike.
“Ted holds nothing back, and he’s upfront and honest about his life in the fast lane,” said Ross. “He did a great job and it is a body of work every member of the family will enjoy.”
DiBiase says his focus now is on his Clinton-based Heart of David Ministry, which he named for the biblical David.
“Heart of David refers to David’s cry for help in the fortieth Psalm,” he said. “David was totally committed to God, but he had his shortcomings. It is a reflection of my personal experience with God.
“Ours is a ministry that is both evangelical and encouraging, and our mission is to be wherever and whenever God leads me to be,” said DiBiase. “I want to utilize my notoriety (as a wrestler) and the spirit of influence that he has given me to be a doer of the Word.”
The former wrestling superstar has made three mission trips to China and most recently visited the Philippines. Despite not having wrestled since 1993, he was instantly recognized when he stepped off the plane.
“Again, I haven’t actually been in the ring for 17 years but as I was going through customs in the Philippines, all four customs officers knew who I was,” he said, laughing. “I’ve got a whole new fan base of teenagers that know me through the WWE video games. It’s really amazing.”
DiBiase says the “heart and soul” of his ministry is evangelism but that using his platform of celebrity helps draw the crowds.
“One of my biggest influences is Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, who, in my opinion was way ahead of his time in seeing that the breakdown of our society starts with men,” he said. “His books and teaching had a major effect on my life.”
He also visits prisons for the opportunity to witness to inmates.
“Prisoners are big wrestling fans,” he said, laughing.
Clinton resident Mike Jefcoat has known DiBiase for 16 years and says the former wrestler is passionate about his faith.
“Ted was dedicated to the wrestling business for so many years,” said Jefcoat. “But he is even more dedicated to the cause of Christ. Before I met him, I knew he was a wrestling icon and lived in Clinton.
“Now that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him, I am amazed what God has done in his life. He’s inspirational.”
Anderson concurs.
“Ted is a very effective evangelist,” he said. “People ask him back to speak to groups again and again. To me, that’s the greatest compliment a pubic speaker could have.”
Not unlike the Flying Wallendas trapeze family, the stable of Wrestling DiBiases is growing.
After considering a career in the ministry, Teddy DiBiase is now a pro wrestler and is the focus of frequent WWE storylines. Ted, Jr. made his Monday Night RAW debut in 2008 by declaring his intent to become a champion like his father. Brett is signed to a developmental contract and oldest son Michael wrestles on the independent circuit in Texas.
Ted, Jr. also made his debut as an actor recently in The Marine 2, a direct-to-DVD movie that was released in late 2009.
“He was asked to read for the part, although he’s never had any acting experience,” said the elder DiBiase. “When he went to read, the producers stopped him in mid-sentence and asked if he’d ever had any acting experience. Teddy looked at his watch and told the guy, ‘yes, about 15 minutes.’ He seems to be a natural.”
Brett is signed to a WWE developmental contract and appears in Florida Championship Wrestling as one-half of The Fortunate Sons tag team.
“My understanding is that Brett is becoming a standout student already. All my wrestling friends tell me, ‘The kid’s got it’ so I may have two sons in the WWE soon,” said DiBiase.
Ted, Jr., a 2001 graduate of Clinton High, first signed a developmental contract with the WWE in 2007. The Million Dollar Man gave his blessings.
“Teddy is a great kid and I think he will do well in professional wrestling,” said Ted. “He’s got a degree from Mississippi College but he wanted to follow me in the business. To have your child tell you that you are their hero and want to be just like you…it’s very gratifying.”
Melanie DiBiase supports her sons’ dreams.
“I know my husband is proud and excited that Michael, Teddy and Brett are following their hearts,” she said. “Teddy’s married now and I’d tell (wife) Kristin to just go with the flow and always adjust to the circumstances presented.”
Has Ted offered Teddy any advice, now that he is in the WWE?
“I’ve instructed him to be a light in a dark place and have encouraged him to live out his faith in front of people.”
According to the Nielson ratings, a lot of folks are watching. Teddy’s RAW debut drew a 3.1 rating, meaning that 3.1 percent of all U.S. households were viewing.
Pro wrestling is big business, says father Ted.
“The industry is so much more corporate than when I started in 1975,” he said. “It’s a business driven by (television) ratings and is a reflection of society today.”
DiBiase, however, doesn’t always approve of what the reflection reveals.
“The last few years, the story lines have been blurred between good guys and bad guys,” he said. “And I certainly don’t like the sexual innuendo featured on the broadcasts.
“But I do think the business is getting back to the days of good versus evil and the good will always triumph in the end. (WWE owner) Vince McMahon is a genius at understanding the wrestling audience.”
Pro wrestling is not as glamorous as it appears on television, DiBiase adds.
“If people only knew how hard these guys work to be conditioned. Wrestling is 52 weeks a year and is every bit as physical as pro football,” he said.
Though the matches are obviously scripted, you can’t fake falling eight feet off the top rope onto a concrete floor.
“You don’t walk off the street and say you want to become a wrestler. These guys go to Marine boot camp extreme to be in the best condition possible,” said DiBiase.
The Million Dollar Man persona made him famous all over the world.
But Ted DiBiase would probably tell you that being a man of God, a loving husband and a proud father are priceless. – MSM

For more information on Ted DiBiase or to arrange a personal appearance please contact: Willowcreek Marketing, 12-111 Fourth Ave. #373, St. Catherines, ON L2S3P5, Fax: 905-346-0219, email: william@milliondolarman.com.