To most, Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of a washed-up, steroid-using former superstar in the 2008 film “The Wrestler” is far from everyday life. However, for wrestling legends like Ted Dibiase, a.k.a. “The Million Dollar Man,” similar tragic stories seemed to come with the territory for a laundry list of his fellow World Wrestling Entertainment stars in the 1980s and 1990s.

“When I watched that movie, I found it was a really well-told story of what can — and has — happened to a number of guys in our industry,” Dibiase said. “Guys who sell out to the roar of the crowd; that’s what they live for. They are going to take steroids, take pills — whatever they have to do to keep walking through that curtain. The crowd, that’s the drug. It gets that way for some guys.”

DiBiase, 56, shot to stardom in 1987 with his Million Dollar Man character. His feud involving Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan was a pivotal story that helped boost the business into mainstream culture during the ‘80s wrestling boom.

With success, DiBiase said, came a self-destructive lifestyle.

“Back then it was a rock-n-roll atmosphere,” he recalled of his start in the WWE. “We were on the road for weeks at a time: the next town, the next show, the next party. After a big show, the hotel lobby would be filled with fans and the bar would be full of girls.” This chaotic cycle nudged DiBiase to retire from the ring back in 1993, after it began to affect his marriage. He has since become a full-time minister.

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, who is a part of a WWE tag team known as The Legacy, is following in his father’s footsteps. DiBiase Jr. debuted in the WWE in May 2008 and has since become a main player on “Raw,” a weekly WWE program. DiBiase Jr. also landed the lead role in the WWE film “The Marine 2,” which was released to DVD in December. His sons, Mike DiBiase and Brett DiBiase, are also up-and-coming wrestlers.

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Backstage: Ted DiBiase stopped Randy Orton and congratulated him on the win before apologizing for what happened last night. He said he can’t speak for Cody, but he’s sorry. Orton then got in his face and simply glared at him without saying a word. Orton as the silent assassin is great. Orton walked off, then DiBiase made a pouty face to sell his confusion.

Mark Henry vs. Ted DiBiase — Elimination Chamber qualifying match
Henry dominated early on including shoulder blocks and a shove to the floor. DiBiase regrouped on the floor before yanking Henry’s left arm into the ringpost. DiBiase then dropped Henry into the ring steps with a drop toe hold. He slid back into the ring at seven before going to work on Henry’s left arm back in the ring. DiBiase then tried a top rope move, but Henry caught him in mid-air, only to have DiBiase slip out and yank Henry’s arm across the top rope. DiBiase followed with a single arm DDT on the arm that put Henry on the mat. DiBiase then made the cover and Henry couldn’t use his arm to kick out, giving DiBiase the win.

Winner: DiBiase at 3:06 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. Not the most aesthetically-pleasing match, but a solid match from a “this is presented as a shoot match” perspective with DiBiase taking apart a body part that helped him win the match. Good to see DiBiase, a non-Usual Suspect, in the Chamber match.

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In honor of the Big Game Sunday, February 7th, WWE.com has put on its collective coaching whistle and created the first-ever “All-WWE Team”, a dream sandlot American-style football team chosen from the current RAW, Smackdown and ECW rosters.

Tight End – Ted DiBiase
Another all purpose position, the tight end must have the speed and size to seal off the run blocking ont he end of the offensive line, as well as run the occasional passing routes. The “All-WWE Team” chooses Legacy’s Ted DiBiase, who is a great hybrid athlete with priceless genetic talent.

You can view the entire team here: @ WWE.com

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Locker room: Randy Orton was focused and staring into space. Cody Rhodes then walked in and said they’ve done too much and gone too far for the group to slip away. Cody said they know Orton can beat Sheamus and win back the title. He said he’ll be there for him. Cody then looked away and said he wishes he could say the same for Ted DiBiase. Cody said Ted hasn’t been the same since his movie came out and all he talks about is winning the Rumble match and going on to Mania to beat Orton for the WWE Title. Cody told Orton he can count on him. He slapped Orton on the back and walked off to leave Orton with his thoughts.

Backstage, Randy Orton was walking down the hallway, then Ted DiBiase walked up to him and said he has his back. DiBiase said he can’t even talk to Cody right now. He said Cody’s been talking about winning the Rumble and facing Sheamus at Mania, even counting Orton out. Orton had enough of their games and said he’s going to win against Sheamus and he doesn’t want their help.

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