WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. recently took to his podcast, “Everybody’s Got A Pod”, to discuss his early wrestling training journey and the significance of touring with experienced wrestlers. Below are a few standout moments from this podcast episode:
Talking about his initial in-ring training practices, he said, “Truth be told, learning to hit the ropes is an acquired skill. Initially, I recall getting a minor bruise due to it being an unfamiliar maneuver. However, with repeated practice, it feels completely natural. I familiarized myself with the basics, such as taking a variety of bumps, executing an arm drag, and utilizing the turnbuckle correctly. I had a fairly solid grasp of these fundamentals when I set out on my journey.”
When asked about the hardest part of his wrestling training, he reflected, “I can’t really recall anything that I dreaded. Unlike Japanese trainees who undergo rigorous daily training, I got my start in the ring, facing a live audience – old school style. The opponent, understanding my novice status, would guide me. We communicated through our unique in-ring language. I found myself adapting to the wrestling lifestyle with brisk speed.”
Elaborating on the importance of travelling with seasoned wrestlers, DiBiase Sr. stated, “You gather a wealth of knowledge from such journeys. Traveling between shows and then discussing the performances afterwards was commonplace. I often sought feedback from my peers – those who I admired and respected. Many were always ready to critique and advise. This process, combined with on-the-job experience, is what truly shapes you as a wrestler. It instills this sense of timing that’s difficult to explain but you just sense when the perfect moment to make a move has arrived.”