Ted DiBiase Explains What Truly Makes A WWE Hall of Famer
WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has shared his personal view on what truly earns a wrestler a place in the Hall of Fame.
Speaking on his podcast, Everybody’s Got a Pod, Ted DiBiase emphasised that drawing power is the key factor in determining Hall of Fame worthiness.
“Oh, criteria, I mean, the numbers speak for themselves,” DiBiase said. “It doesn’t take long to tell when somebody’s becoming a really big star.”
Rather than focusing on in-ring ability or championship records, DiBiase believes that a wrestler’s true legacy is defined by how well they connect with audiences and fill arenas. He cited Hulk Hogan as a prime example of a superstar who, despite not being the most skilled technician, understood how to captivate fans and bring them through the doors.
“Whatever that is, Hulk Hogan became Hulk Hogan because, ‘Here’s this great big guy,’ and he understood the psychology of professional wrestling and was great. He wasn’t a great on-the-mat wrestler, but he knew his character, and he played it well, very well.”
DiBiase’s perspective echoes a long-held belief among many industry veterans that star power and the ability to draw crowds outweigh other achievements when it comes to cementing a Hall of Fame legacy. While match quality and title reigns matter, DiBiase maintains that the greatest honours should go to those who made the biggest impact on the business.
Why Does Ted DiBiase Believe He Never Became WWE Champion?
Ted DiBiase spoke about the reason he thinks he never became WWE Champion and said that it is down to the fact that during the 1980s, it was imperative to the business that there be a strong babyface champion so that children would want to go and see them perform, buy their merchandise, and watch the TV shows. DiBiase said that heels weren’t title holders for long in those days and often held the title for very short periods of time while companies transitioned to their next top babyface stars.
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