Subject:  Interview with Wrestling Great Ted Dibiase. |
Author:
Owen Hollifield
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Date Posted: 12:41:44 06/21/03 Sat
Interview with Wrestling Great Ted Dibiase.
With over 20 years at the top of the wrestling game “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase can rightly be called a legend. Having wrestled in both WWF/E and WCW he has shared the ring with some of the greatest performers of all time, from Hulk Hogan to Andre “The Giant” and everyone in between. Now after retiring from wrestling he dedicates himself to the lord and to helping those people who need his help. Mr Dibiase took time from his busy schedule to talk to me.
1. As someone who spent nearly 20 years at the top of the wrestling business you are more qualified than most to comment. What do you think of the wrestling product on T.V today?
The wrestling product today is disgusting. It sends the wrong message to the masses. It promotes the tough guy (thug) image. It is full of strong sexual content and vulgar language. Let me put it this way, would you want your son to look up to Steve Austin as a role model?
2. Lots of people today argue that companies like the WWE rely too much on Pop culture and that it doesn't seem to be about the wrestling anymore. What's your opinion on this?
I wholeheartedly agree.
3. Stars from wrestling's golden era, stars such as Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper have recently stepped back into the limelight, would you ever consider following suit?
I would never say never but I know that I would never actually wrestle again. Some guys just don't know when it's time to hang it up. If I thought wrestling could become "family" programming again I would consider it.
4. Do you think the demise of both WCW and ECW has led to the recent down turn in wrestling audiences, or do you think there may be other factors?
I think the downturn is because of the direction of the programming and the lack of talent who know how to entertain people with a match that resembles a contest instead of running their mouths for two hours.
5. Who in your personal opinion are the top 5 wrestlers working today and why?
I honestly don't watch enough any more to have an opinion.
6. In your long career you had many opportunities to visit many countries all over the world, out of those you visited which were your favourites and why?
I enjoyed all of Europe. I'm a history buff and especially of WWII. So there was a lot to see, especially in Germany.
7. In all the years you were wrestling what was the worst injury you suffered?
I guess the injury that ended my career, which were two herniated discs in my neck.
8. If you hadn't have made it in the wrestling world what do you think you would have done with your life?
I went to college to be a coach and teacher.
9. You are in your wrestling prime and you have the chance to headline Wrestlemania against any star past or present, who would it be and why?
Probably Bret Hart or Jake Roberts because of their talent and ability to have a great match.
11. A little word association here, say the first thing that comes into your head.
WWE = great thing gone bad
Vince McMahon = The real "Million Dollar Man"
Hulk Hogan = Biggest star ever in our business
WCW =too little too late and very disorganized
The Rock = big star, great talent. Just clean up the language.
Stone Cold Steve Austin = great talent, lots of charisma. Don't mock God (Austin 3:16)
Andre The Giant = great talent, had it all and a good friend
Mr Perfect =great guy, great talent, good friend, tragic and senseless death
12. You are a second-generation wrestler; did you ever feel pressured to follow in you stepfather's footsteps when you were younger?
No, as a matter of fact, my dad never wanted me to be a wrestler because of the downside of the business and now, as a father, I'm telling my sons the same thing.
13. As someone who worked hard and struggled for years to get to the top of the wrestling game how do you feel about T.V shows such as Tough Enough?
I think anybody who is going to get into wrestling should have to pay the price and learn to respect the business. But the truth is you don't really learn what it's all about until you’re in front of a live crowd.
All of those kids should also be made aware of the total cost of being a wrestler. Like the fact that you have no benefits package or retirement plan, no health insurance. The divorce rate is 90% and over 40 wrestlers in the last ten years have died due to drug and alcohol abuse.
14. A lot of bad press is surrounding the wrestling business as of late, with a stream of top stars succumbing to excesses, people such as Davey Boy Smith and Curt Henning, what are your feelings on this?
It's all true, like I said, somewhere around 40 wrestlers, (not all superstars) have died in the last ten years because of the drug and alcohol abuse. Wrestling is a sub culture, much like rock & roll. The lifestyles, at least in the past, were very similar.
15. Over the last few years "Garbage" wrestling has moved more into the mainstream, do you think shows where people use broken glass, pieces of metal and thumb tacks to mutilate each other should really be called sports entertainment?
ABSOULUTELY NOT! That junk is not wrestling and takes no talent whatsoever!!!!!
16. As someone who has held many titles over their long career, which title meant the most to you? Also which match out of all those that you have had are you the most proud of?
Titles belts meant nothing to me because it's not real. The belts were only props. There were several matches though that stand out. Jake the Snake at WM 6, Bret Hart? Not sure which pay-per-view. WM4 because I wrestled three times that night, and Harley Race at the Kiel auditorium in St. Louis in the early 80's because we wrestled to an hour draw and it was my first big main event.
17. What is the best piece of wrestling advice that you have ever been given?
Don't misunderstand me here, I'm not bitter. But the best advice I ever got I didn't take and that was to not get into the business. I was very fortunate in my career, many are not. I've seen it ruin too many lives and kill too many people. Simply put, the bad far outweighs the good.
18. What advice do you have for all those wanna be wrestlers out there?
DON'T DO IT! I know that there are no guarantees in life. But when you look at what you go through and what the total cost is to be in wrestling, it simply isn’t worth it. The sad stories far outnumber the happy endings in the wrestling world! That, you can't deny.
19. You are now a deeply religious man. What event took place in your life that led you to feel the need to change your life and to move in this new direction?
I had made it to the top and was living the life, but I was also brought down by all that so many of my peers have been brought down by. The fast living, alcohol, drugs, and women. It nearly cost me the things I value most in my life, my wife and family.
When confronted by my wife I had to make a choice and take a leap of faith. Do I tell the truth and risk losing everything or do I try to lie my way out of it (which, by the way, is what all my buddies suggested I do). I trusted God, and more to the point, Jesus Christ. It changed my life and my values forever. It's given me a peace I never ever had and more joy than the wrestling business ever did.
20. Do you feel proud that people involved in a business like wrestling, with its emphasis on profanity, cheap morals and bad behaviour can come clean and admit and be proud of their belief in the Lord, people such as Shawn Michaels and Steve Sting Borden?
Absolutely! The truth is, more and more wrestlers are finding Jesus and in finding Him, finding peace. I'm very proud and am willing to help any of my old friends find that same peace. They have to realize they need it first.
21. You founded Heart of David Ministries; tell us a little about that.
Heat of David is a ministry of evangelism and encouragement. I go everywhere sharing with people, the difference Jesus can make in your life and encouraging them that they can do it. If I can do it, anybody can do it. When all the self-help programs and all the money, booze, drugs, and women won't satisfy you (and they never do) Jesus always will. I see it every day!
22. You represent different charities and travel all over the United States helping people in need; this work must be very satisfying for you.
Like I said, it's given me greater joy than wrestling ever did.
23. You run your own wrestling organisation, PWA, what was you motivation behind this?
To use the tool and talent God has given me to glorify Him and not myself. To give people a good, clean wrestling event and also expose them to the gospel message in hopes that they too will come to Christ.
24. Your wrestling organisation is run free from ultra violence, sex and profanity have you had a lot of positive feed back from people who are happy in the knowledge they can take their family to a wrestling show with out the worry on what bad behaviour they might see or pick up?
I hear it at every event, "thank you for bringing us wrestling without all the trash" People, on a daily basis, come up to me and ask me what has happened to wrestling. Most of them have no idea that I'm a minister today. You would think that the WWE would figure it out!
25. A deep question here. For you, what is the meaning of life?
It took me 38 years of my life to figure it out but the meaning of life is to glorify God in everything you do, to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and to try to the best of my ability to imitate His life. He came as a servant and I have found that the more I give of myself to others, the happier I am.
26. Lastly, if you had your time in the spot light again would you do any thing differently?
Yes I would. Through my relationship with Christ I've grown up quite a bit. I would have dedicated everything I did to Him and tried to be a positive example to people everywhere. Wrestling was good to me and I have to thank Vince McMahon for the best years of my career. But I thank God most of all for His grace and mercy through all the stupid stuff I did during those years and I thank Him daily for His forgiveness. The great thing is that same forgiveness is available to anyone who truly seeks Him and asks for it. It changed my life. It can and does change lives everywhere, everyday!
Copyright © 2003 Owen Hollifield.
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