Professional wrestling is filled with the sons and daughters of past legends trying to make it in the sport. The face of WWE, Cody Rhodes, is, of course, the son of the American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. Roman Reigns’ father is Sika, one half of the Wild Samoans, and the Usos and Solo Sikoa are the offspring of Rikishi. The list goes on and on, from Randy Orton to Bray Wyatt. Being the son or daughter of a famous wrestler helps tremendously (would Ava be the NXT GM if her dad wasn’t The Rock?), but it’s no guarantee for success. Case in point: Ted DiBiase Jr. Back in the 80s, his father, “The Million Dollar Man”, Ted DiBiase Sr., was one of the best heels in the business. When Ted Jr. debuted in WWE, he was given every chance to succeed on the biggest stages, but his run in the company was a flop. However, he is much more than a “what if”. These days, the actions he’s accused of have him facing the chance of potentially spending the rest of his days behind bars.
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Ted DiBiase Jr. Was Part Of The Legacy Faction With Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes
He Was The Lead Actor in ‘The Marine 2’
- He won the tag team championship with Cody Rhodes in his very first WWE match.
- Ted brought back his father’s Million Dollar Championship during a singles run.
- He left WWE in 2013 when his contract came to an end.
Ted DiBiase Jr. signed with WWE in 2007 when he was just 25. After a stint with Florida Championship Wrestling (the precursor to NXT), DiBiase debuted on Raw the next year. Carrying his real name, he brought up his legendary father in promos. Vince McMahon gave the kid a huge push, making him one half of the tag team champions with Cody Rhodes in his very first match. The pair even beat John Cena and Batista to get their titles back after losing them! WWE had so much faith in DiBiase that he was chosen to be the lead in The Marine 2, before joining the faction The Legacy, headed by Randy Orton and also showcasing Rhodes.
But when The Legacy came to an end, DiBiase didn’t have that “it” factor to succeed on his own. He brought back his father’s Million Dollar Championship, and had some small successes here and there, but despite his look, Ted Jr. was missing the mega-star quality. His matches and promos were just okay in a world where you needed to be the best to make it. In August 2013, Ted DiBiase Jr. chose to walk away from WWE when his contract ended.
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DiBiase Was Indicted By The U.S. Department Of Justice In 2023
The Indictments Covered Wired Fraud, Theft, & Money Laundering
- After leaving WWE, he only wrestled a few times.
- He worked with his father, now a minister, to help those less fortunate.
- His family, along with NFL star Brett Favre, were sued by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Outside of a few indie appearances, Ted DiBiase Jr.’s wrestling career had come to an end by his choice at just 31 years old. He didn’t take a step back from life though, as he founded The Ted DiBiase Foundation and worked with the poor and less fortunate with his father, who became a minister after his wrestling career. On all accounts, it looked like Ted Jr. was living a great life, having given up fame and fortune to work with the needy, but in 2022, his world began to fall apart.
That May, a news story broke about a lawsuit filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. As reported by the Associated Press:
“The Mississippi Department of Human Services on Monday sued retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, three former pro wrestlers and several other people and businesses to try to recover millions of misspent welfare dollars that were intended to help some of the poorest people in the United States.
“The lawsuit says the defendants “squandered” more than $20 million in money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families anti-poverty program.” (h/t ESPN.com)
The three former wrestlers were Ted DiBiase, Ted Jr., and a second son, Brett. In April 2023, Ted. Jr’s problems became much worse than just a lawsuit, as the U.S. Department of Justice indicted him. An official press release from them read:
“DiBiase is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering.”
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Ted DiBiase Jr.’s Trial Begins In August
He Faces A Maximum Sentence Of 45 Years In Prison
- He is accused of taking money under false pretenses and using it to buy a house, boat, and car.
- DiBiase pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on bond.
- The trial had previously been postponed twice.
Court documents show that Ted DiBiase Jr. is accused of getting money under false pretenses. He took $500,000 three times, including for emergency food assistance, and a million dollars to help inner-city youth, but prosecutors said the money was instead used for Ted Jr. to buy a house, boat, and vehicle. DiBiase pleaded not guilty, and after posting a $10,000 bond, he has been free while awaiting trial. Now, that day has finally come.
DiBiase’s trial has been postponed twice in the last year, but it is now set to begin on August 26, with jury selection beginning the week before. Ted Jr. faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy, 20 years for wire fraud, 10 years for theft of federal funds, and 10 years for money laundering. If found guilty of all counts and given the maximum sentence, that means 45 years in prison.
Nearly two decades ago, wrestling fans were wondering if Ted DiBiase Jr. was going to be a world champion and potential face of the company. Now, he has not only been forgotten by today’s generation, but his legacy has been ruined forever, no matter what a jury decides.
