WWE’s Ted DiBiase Jr. LIVING UP TO HIS NAME

By John Benson

entertainment@vindy.com

When it comes to profes- sional wrestling over the past 50 years, the name DiBiase stands out for many reasons. At first there was “Iron” Mike DiBiase, then his son, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr., and now Ted DiBiase Jr.

Today, the youngest DiBiase is making a name for himself as a WWE superstar with his Dream Street finishing move, Hollywood good looks and over-the-top style. It appears as though this 28-year-old athlete, who returns to Northeast Ohio for the WWE’s “Raw World Tour” Sunday at Covelli Centre, was destined to carry on the family tradition.

“It’s absolutely not a surprise,” said DiBiase, calling from Tulsa, Okla. “When I was a young kid and I went to work with my dad, I was around guys like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, Jake the Snake and Brutus the Barber Beefcake. Just these characters and guys who were larger than life. I’m running around the locker room hanging out with these guys playing with them, and I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do as far back as I could remember. My dad was a little bit against it because it’s tough. It’s not an easy career. It’s not an easy field of work, but it’s worth it if you’re willing to make the sacrifices and put the work into it.”

Early on, DiBiase was raised like every other boy in Mississippi, spending his time fishing, boating, hunting and playing sports. After his graduation from Mississippi College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2005, the hunger for stardom led him into the business world of professional wrestling. He made his WWE debut in 2008 and hasn’t looked back.

In fact, he doesn’t have to. Considering how passionate WWE fans are, there are a vocal group of followers who aren’t so much haters but want DiBiase to prove he can live up to his high-profile last name.

“That’s what makes it fun,” DiBiase said. “That’s what makes it a challenge. When I came into this, I never expected for people to say he’s better than his dad. My dad, as far as I’m concerned, is going to be remembered as one of the greatest villains that there ever was in this business. He really launched a lot of guys to the top of their careers, and he was amazing. He’s a hall of famer.

“So, yeah, it was a little bit hard and still is at times. There’s always a microscope on you, and you’re always being compared, but the difference between me and my father is when he started with Vince McMahon, he already had 15 years of experience. When I started with Vince McMahon, I had about nine months to a year. So as far as I’m concerned, I have a long career ahead of me, I’m excited about it and I look forward to surpassing the old man.”

Finally, if we had a time machine and set up a match between him and his dad, which DiBiase walks out of the ring a winner?

“Oh, me by far,” DiBiase said. “The old-school ‘The Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase could move around pretty good, but now his knees are gone and he has back problems. I always mess with him now. Still, I could take him. I’m more agile, athletic, quicker and definitely better looking.”