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From time to time a character we either love or hate comes along, and This Day in Wrestling History on August 4, 1987 saw one of the greats as the Million Dollar Man debuted in the Wrestling Challenge.
Ted DiBiase was previously with WWE, but this time he came and Vince McMahon had the perfect gimmick for him, supposedly based on Vince himself.
The idea
All ideas start somewhere and sometimes need a boost, and The Million Dollar Man was no different.
Special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian for the excerpt.
“I’ve signed a two-year contract. The contract would be renewed every two years unless I decided to deregister in writing within 90 days of its expiration. Vince then laid out his entire idea and described the new character.
“’Ted, that character is a dirty rich paragraph and we’re going to make people believe you’re really rich. He’s so rich that he throws his money around like it’s nothing. He can buy anything and anyone. His God is money and he will live according to the motto ‘Everyone has his price’.
“I started smiling like a cheshire cat.
“’Ted, you travel the whole country first class. There will be a limo to take you to and from the hotel, the show, and any other destination. I will always make sure you have hundreds with you and never have to worry about a dime. We will also find your very own bodyguard and servant. ‘
“I could not believe it. The character seemed too good to be true.
“‘And Ted, you will be the hottest and most hated heel in professional wrestling.’
“I agreed.
“‘The only thing I haven’t nailed down yet is the name.’
“Without hesitation, I said, ‘I know what to call him. How about the million dollar man? ‘
“Vince and Pat both said, ‘That’s it,’ and the Million Dollar Man was born.” – Ted DiBiase The Million Dollar Man Book.
Eternal inheritance
On that day in wrestling history, DiBiase caught our attention and never let it go as it turned out to be the best heel we have ever seen.
In fact, I think he was on Ric Flair’s level but never got the championships to push him higher.
The fact that he became famous during the Wild Hulkamania is the main reason for this in my opinion, and there might be no debate if he has had a handful of world championships.
Where does Ted DiBiase stand for you? Let us know in the comments below.
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