Ted DiBiase Shares Intriguing Stories From His Early Days In WWE
On the latest episode of his “Everybody’s Got A Pod” show, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase shared fascinating stories about his experience in WWE, including his first night in the company, an incident with Roddy Piper on his first night in the company, harassment in wrestling, and more.
Regarding his first night in WWF, DiBiase mentioned that there were warnings about Johnny Rodz and how important it was to get along with him. Fortunately, DiBiase and Rodz hit it off well. DiBiase shared,
“It was funny. Everybody wanted to let me know, it’s like, ‘Johnny Rodz is a good hand, he’s a good guy. You better get over with him in the dressing room or you’re not gonna get along with anybody.’ I don’t know. He just, Johnny had that rep, you know? If he liked you, you’re in. If he didn’t like you, you’re out. You know? There was no problem with me. And, of course, like I said, I wrestled him that first, that first go-round, and we hit it off really, really well.”
DiBiase was also present when “Rowdy” Roddy Piper had an infamous rib played on him, where wrestlers put toilet paper in his bagpipe. While DiBiase didn’t know who was responsible, he witnessed the malfunctioning bagpipes without understanding the reason behind it. He said,
“Yes, I was there for that. That’s the first time I ever saw — well, I didn’t know anything, except that when he went out there his bagpipes didn’t work. And we all knew why later. But I never knew it, you know? No. Nobody ever obviously confessed to doing it. I have no idea who did it.”
Addressing the issue of harassment in wrestling, DiBiase explained that he didn’t face any difficulties upon joining WWE. He speculated that his wrestling heritage and upbringing might have garnered respect from others, considering his father’s reputation as both a professional and amateur champion. He said,
“Nobody gave me a hard time. When I got there and — well, of course, I grew up in the business. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. But my dad never wrestled in New York, if you know what I’m saying? He never did New York territory, DiBiase was not a big name in New York right at that time.
“So, I really don’t know. Maybe because I had the wrestling heritage that everybody knew that my father was in the inner circles of professional wrestling, considered one of the best. Not only professionally, but he was also a National Heavyweight Amateur Champion. Not only was he a great worker, he was a great shooter. And so, I don’t know, that maybe the respect that came along with that and the fact that I was a kid that came up in the business and been a part of it. The business had been a part of my life and maybe that’s part of the respect I got. I don’t know.”
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