Ted DiBiase On Argument With Eric Bischoff Over Creative Direction

WWE Hall Of Famer Ted DiBiase has recalled a particular time he was at odds with Eric Bischoff over the direction WCW wanted his character to take.

The majority of high-profile success for Ted DiBiase came during his time with the World Wrestling Federation, where he won the 1988 King Of Ring whilst also taking a role outside the squared circle managing multiple champions over the years.

After storylines involving Money Inc. and The Million Dollar Corporation came to an end, The Million Dollar Man’s time with the company was drawing to a close. It finally ended when The Ringmaster (to later become Steve Austin) lost to Savio Vega at In Your House: Beware Of Dog, with the stipulation that DiBiase must leave WWE if that happened.

This was actually a cover for the fact Ted DiBiase had actually signed with WCW. However, in an interview with Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes, he has revealed that things weren’t all plain sailing with his new employers, and at one point had a heated argument with Eric Bischoff over the plans for his character.

Bischoff, when he hired me, put himself in the position that he hired me for. I never said that to him, but I did say, ‘I’m not going out there after the career I have had holding the belt for Hulk Hogan with nothing to say. If you have nothing better to do with me, I will sit at home.’ So I sat at home, and it was about the same time that I started my ministry work.

DiBiase went on to discuss how his ministerial role changed the direction he took upon his return.

I found other things to do, they eventually brought me back, but because they saw me in my ministry stuff, I suggested it might be smart to make me a babyface. So they put me with the Steiners, and the rest is history. I finished out my contract and that was it. It was ministry from then on until Vince called me back.

Ted DiBiase returned to WWE in 2021, first feuding with and then managing Cameron Grimes, including leading him to winning the revived Million Dollar Championship.