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Showing posts with label Ted DiBiase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ted DiBiase. Show all posts

July 28, 2015

WWE's sordid history of racism makes its swift justice vs. Hogan ring hollow


Everyone knows that the WWE and professional wrestling are fake—a group of finely chiseled athletes, orchestrated by a scripted theater of controversial plots, story arcs and over-the-top characters. Against that backdrop, cult icon Hulk Hogan became the most recognizable face of the WWE after winning the world championship against The Iron Sheik in January 1983, and last week its most stunning big-name dismissal.

Known previously as the WWF, the franchise branded Hogan as The Hulkster and capitalized off of his alluring, patriotic, good-guy persona. In the words of Hogan himself, “Hulkamania was running wild, brother!” Still, while Hulkamaniacs rejoiced, what wasn’t fake was the WWE’s sordid history of exploiting racial stereotypes. For decades the organization capitalized and profited off racist undertones, even while receiving countless criticism over its portrayal and treatment of minority characters. It also has been chided for the fact that in the company’s 63-year history there has never been a unified African-American World Champion. (The Rock, a seven-time WWE champion and noted Hogan nemesis, is bi-racial, having been born to an African-American father and a Samoan mother.)

Nevertheless, the criticism regarding professional wrestling’s premiere franchise never thwarted the company’s multi-million dollar cash machine. While Hogan—a blond, 6’7” Tampa native who first gained famed as Thunderlips in Rocky III in 1982—became an All-American folk hero (before he briefly went to the dark side with the nWo in the rival WCW in 1996), some of the WWE’s most popular characters have been its most controversial. Rowdy Roddy Piper, a Canadian wrestler who wore a kilt and was billed as being from Glasgow, Scotland, was a WWF superstar in the '80s alongside Hogan. Unlike Hogan, Piper was a textbook villain whose entire shtick was built upon spewing brash, lewd comments regarding race and gender. In his on-air segment Piper’s Pit, he once asked wrestler Tony Atlas, who is black, “To get them big arms, do you eat all of that soul food stuff? Do you eat pigs' feet?” After Atlas seemingly took offense to the line of questioning, Piper responded, “Let me tell you something in your own language, I don’t let the thieves stop me from enjoying my watermelon.”

In another interview segment, this time with Fijian wrestler Jimmy (Superfly) Snuka, Piper asked his rival if he grew up climbing trees like a monkey to get coconuts. Piper also once said that Mr. T’s lips looked like “a catcher’s mitt,” and later told him that he would “whip him like a slave.”

Then there was wrestler Ted (The Million Dollar Man) DiBiase, whose black sidekick/bodyguard Virgil was often subjugated and debased as a part of DiBiase’s emerging storyline. In a video from 1987, DiBiase can be seen boasting about how he could easily buy Virgil, to which Virgil responds “Yes-suh!” Throughout their pairing, DiBiase often referred to Virgil as a slave, even having him rub his feet.

And the list doesn’t stop there. Kamala, The Ugandan Headhunter, was billed as being from “Deepest, Darkest Africa,” and exhibited mannerisms and grunts that were almost inhuman. He wrestled with a spear and wore tribal paint on his face and belly. The Junkyard Dog’s gimmick was crafted in the frame of textbook Negro shuck and jive, with him prancing around wearing a dog collar and chains. Former WWE legend and color commentator Jesse (The Body) Ventura once referred to the Junk Yard Dog as having “a mouth full of grits.” Ventura also commonly called fan favorite Tito Santana, a Mexican-American, “Chico” and dubbed his finishing move the “flying burrito.”

Former WWE champ Triple H, who mocked African-American wrestler Booker T for his "nappy hair, once said that “people like Booker T couldn’t win championships," and that in the WWE “they were just there to dance and entertain.” Then there was Cryme Tyme, a tag-team made up of wrestlers JTG and Shad Gaspard and who brandished themselves as thugged out, gangsta rappers. Their catch phrase was, “Yo yo yo, pop a 40 and check ya rollies-it’s Cryme Time,” and they were often shown assaulting police officers and committing robberies.

October 22, 2012

WWE Finalizes Purchase of Mid-South Wrestling Library


After several years of negotiations, The Miami Herald has learned that Ene Watts and the Watts family agreed on a deal for World Wrestling Entertainment to purchase about 1,200 hours of Mid-South Wrestling footage, including TV programming and shows during its heyday in the late 1970s and during the 1980s.

Ene Watts, the ex-wife of WWE Hall of Famer Cowboy Bill Watts, owned the footage as part of a divorce settlement.

Mid-South Wrestling (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma) flourished under the direction of Bill Watts. It was one of the hottest territories in pro wrestling in the late 1970s and during the 1980s. Junkyard Dog, Ted DiBiase, Ernie Ladd, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Magnum T.A. and announcer Jim Ross are some of the prominent names who made a mark during that Mid-South era...More?

source: miamiherald.com

May 15, 2012

This Day in Wrestling History


Happy Birthday to Ron Simmons
May 15, 1958

The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending and beginning both men's ninth reigns.
May 15, 1976

The WWF(E) debuted at the Houston Coliseum forthe first time. The venue was a long-time stronghold of promoter Paul Boesh, who did commentary for the event. Ted DiBiase, who had just signed for the Million Dollar Man role, made his first appearance in seven years for the WWF(E) here, cutting an in-ring promo announcing he was now part of the company. The One Man Gang came out for his match and a physical issue was teased, since DiBiase had been a babyface in the market and hadn't yet been introduced as the persona he's known worldwide for these days.
May 15, 1987

WWF(E) broadcast Raw as part of a three episode TV Taping in Binghamton, NY. The taping featured Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the future Triple H, in his Raw debut. Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned John Chrystal at 3:10 with a standing Diamond Cutter.
May 15, 1995

Shawn Michaels resigned as WWF(E) Commissioner and Ric Flair defeated Jeff Jarrett for the WCW Heavyweight title and his 15th Heavyweight title reign.
May 15, 2000

The final arena based WWE NXT episode was taped at the SmackDown TV taping in Hershey Pennsylvania for broadcast via WWE.com on May 16th. WWE announced on May 14th, that they will tape NXT on Thursday from Full Sail University on a weekly basis.
May 15, 2012

partial source: pwinsider.com

June 6, 2011

Triple H Signs WWE Belt For Charity Auction


WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. will be working with the Miami Dolphins during Fins Weekend that will benefit charities through a golf tournament, fishing tournament and more. DiBiase will be auctioning off a WrestleMania 28 suite at the Dolphins stadium that holds 14 people. The suite will come with a WWE Title belt signed by Triple H, John Cena, Kane, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, Ted DiBiase Jr., Sheamus and Randy Orton.

source: wrestling-edge.com

May 15, 2011

This Day in Wrestling History


Happy Birthday to Ron Simmons
May 15, 1958

The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending and beginning both men's ninth reigns.
May 15, 1976

The WWF(E) debuted at the Houston Coliseum forthe first time. The venue was a long-time stronghold of promoter Paul Boesh, who did commentary for the event. Ted DiBiase, who had just signed for the Million Dollar Man role, made his first appearance in seven years for the WWF(E) here, cutting an in-ring promo announcing he was now part of the company. The One Man Gang came out for his match and a physical issue was teased, since DiBiase had been a babyface in the market and hadn't yet been introduced as the persona he's known worldwide for these days.
May 15, 1987

WWF(E) broadcast Raw as part of a three episode TV Taping in Binghamton, NY. The taping featured Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the future Triple H, in his Raw debut. Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned John Chrystal at 3:10 with a standing Diamond Cutter.
May 15, 1995

Shawn Michaels resigned as WWF(E) Commissioner and Ric Flair defeated Jeff Jarrett for the WCW Heavyweight title and his 15th Heavyweight title reign.
May 15, 2000

partial source: pwinsider.com

May 21, 2010

Ted DiBiase Responds to Ultimate Warrior

Ted DiBiase emailed a 10-point response Ultimate Warrior's lengthy blog that was critical of him. "I don't hate anybody," DiBiase wrote...More?

source: prowrestling.net

May 19, 2010

The Ultimate Warrior Hates on The Million Dollar Man

The Ultimate Warrior wrote a long, hateful blog aimed at Ted DiBiase over at UltimateWarrior.com:

"On the Self-Destruction DVD, no one showed more a face of hatred than you. There's one particular moment where it practically oozes off the screen. An yet, you claim to live by beliefs that allow for no hatred of any man...You make your living preaching this belief to others."

"What it all really boils down to is jealousy. Envy. I did better in the business than you, walked away from it on my own terms, with all my integrity intact...More?

source: prowrestling.net

April 8, 2010

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase Glad Ultimate Warrior Wasn't at the WWE HOF

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, this year's WWE Hall of Fame 'main eventer,' says he's glad Ultimate Warrior declined Vince McMahon's invitation to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame because he feels he didn't deserve it...More?

source: pwtorch.com

March 28, 2010

2010 WWE Hall of Fame Recap

February 8, 2010

WWE HOF Inductee Announced

"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase will be inducted into the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame.

February 3, 2010

Ted DiBiase on the ‘80s Wrestling Boom: “Back then it was a Rock-n-Roll Atmosphere”

Ted DiBiase said the WWE environment has improved drastically over the years. “Today, the business has changed, it’s much more corporate,” he said. “When you go back to the hotel, there is nobody. I don’t know if it’s a well-kept secret, or what. The WWE has changed so much now. They work four days a week, then they go home to their families.” Today, his son Ted Dibiase Jr., 27, is following in his father’s footsteps.

“The years I was in the WWE there were a number of guys who died from drug and alcohol abuse. So for years I preached to my boys that I’d support them in anything they’d want to do — but don’t even consider wrestling.”

So what has changed? Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE, has implemented strict random drug tests for all wrestlers.

“What that has built into the WWE is accountability. They have a three-strike rule,” DiBiase said. “The first time you test positive for anything it’s a 30-day suspension without pay. The second time it’s a 60-day suspension, (and) the third time you’re fired. Nobody is above the law, nobody.”...More?

source: lansingcitypulse.com

July 8, 2009

Best Part of Raw - The Million Dollar Man

June 5, 2009

The Other Brother - Mike DiBiase

At 31, Mike is the oldest son of Ted DiBiase Sr. which he considers a privilege, but also knows that a name like DiBiase comes with great expectations. With his half-brother Ted DiBiase Jr. tearing up WWE rings as a part of Legacy, the name means as much today as in the `80s.

Being the oldest son of the Million Dollar Man, Mike also had the unwritten responsibility to look out for his brothers and set a good example. But the one thing he wanted more than anything was the approval of his father. Mike thought it would make Ted Sr. proud for him to follow in his footsteps and go into the family business, but nothing could have prepared him for his dad's response.

"When Teddy and I went up to dad and told him we wanted to be wrestlers, he just flat out told us no,...More?

source: slam wrestling

February 21, 2009

Ted DiBiase Comments on Steroid Use in Pro Wreslting

In an interview on "Off the Record" in Canada, Former WWE star Ted DiBiase (father of current star Ted DiBiase, Jr.) says steroid use in pro wrestling is still an issue, according to what he's seen and heard and is "more prevalent than most people want to believe it is."

October 8, 2008

'Million Dollar Man' finds it all in Jesus

People snicker about the authenticity and even the sanity of professional wrestling, and Ted DiBiase freely admits his character was pure fluff and the luxuries he enjoyed were handouts from his bosses.

But there's no doubting the reality of DiBiase's faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, his messages to two packed morning worship services at Union Hill Baptist Church in Holts Summit, Mo., earlier this year were as blunt as a body slam...More?

source: sbcbaptistpress.org

July 12, 2007

Ken Kennedy and Eric Bischoff Cut Loose on the Media and Has-Beens

From Ken Kennedy:

Please GOD, I'm just BEGGING for someone who has actually wrestled in a WWE ring in the past decade besides Jericho, Bret Hart, John Cena, and Ted Dibiase to come forward on one of these shows and tell the world what's really going on. For these goofs, like Lanny Poffo? Ultimate Warrior? and Marc Mero???!! to repeatedly act as "experts" and "wrestler advocates" on the current situation is like having a frustrated ex-jock who rode the pine bench throughout his high school sports career give advice to Brett Favre on how to improve his game! It's ridiculous, insane, and it really makes me sick that these so called reporters like Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Grace, and Geraldo Rivera, call upon these silly bastards who are bitter and frustrated that their careers have ended to represent the WWE which of course makes all of us look like a bunch of babbling idiots who are all addicted to steroids, drugs, alcohol, etc...More?

and this from Eric Bischoff:

...one need only look back at the list of idiots that have covered this story. Nancy Grace…give me a break. Or how about Bill O’ Reilly? “Hard Hitting Interview”? Since when is a half decade old out of context interview newsworthy? Can anyone seriously argue that news networks are not exploiting and spinning the sad death of a wife, son, and father for one reason and one reason only?...The most embarrassing thing for me over the past ten days has been watching the likes of Debra Marshall-Williams-McMicheals-Whoeversheisgoingtotaketothecleanersnext, Marc Mero, Lanny Poffo, et all fighting like a bunch of addicts at a crack festival, trying to become the spokesperson for an industry in which they have been irrelevant for years. If it were not for the painful circumstances surrounding this issue, these three would have a regular gig on Saturday Night Live...More?

July 7, 2007

Wrestlers on "Larry King Live"

John Cena will be on "Larry King Live" on Monday to discuss the Benoit tragedy. Other wrestlers scheduled to appear are Bret Hart, Ted Dibiase, Chris Jericho and Marc Mero.

July 6, 2007

Ted Dibiase Doesn't Buy Vince McMahon, WWE Cover Up

Ted Dibiase had this to say concerning the Benoit matter:
"I've been a part of this industry for my entire life, I grew up in it, and I watched the old WWF, which is what it was when I was there. It was this enormous entity and like any other company, and any other business, it has had its growing pains. I was around when the federal government tried to nail Vince McMahon to the wall, and tried to get the world to believe that he was supplying steroids or that he was making wrestlers take steroids. I was one of those athletes. And I was never encouraged to take anything"..."As I've watched the coverage, some say it's what you call... "fair and balanced" well it's not, it's almost like it's lets' see if we can bury the WWE ... Where do we draw the line in the sand and make people responsible for their actions?"..."I quit physically wrestling in 1993. They had a drug policy in place then, and when Eddie Guerrero died, I just so happened to be working for the company again, and they instituted what is called the wellness program. The WWE has gone out and hired an independent company, independent of their organization, to do all the testing. In other words, they don't have any say-so in it.

So this company randomly picks wrestlers and they randomly test whoever they want to who is employed by the WWE…tests them for steroids and all drugs.

Any drug that you can test for, you're tested for. I know their policy, and their policy is this: If you test positive the first time, you automatically are suspended 30 days without pay. If you need rehab, the company will pay to put you threw the rehab.

If you flunk yet a second test, then it's a 60 day suspension without pay, and then if it happens a third time, then you're out, you're fired; you're no longer employed by the WWE."...More?

source: postchronicle.com

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Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear