On a recent edition of his “Everybody’s Got A Pod” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. discussed his history with Bob Armstong and the weightlifting accident where Armstrong had his nose torn entirely off his face and underwent plastic surgery to reconstruct it.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On his history with Bob Armstrong: “Well, you know, I had met Bob Armstrong through actually meeting the boys, and the sons who came up. And by the way, the sons did well. [laughs] They took their father’s name and lived up to the legacy. But yeah, you know, I knew of Bullet Bob Armstrong before I met him, because you know, he’s just one of those, for that generation was one of the icons.”
On whether he was involved in Armstrong’s nose incident: “No no, I was nowhere near that. [laughs] That accident. You know, the accident happened, it was a weightlifting accident where the bar slipped out of his hand and it fell on his face. And that’s what happened. And I was, you know wasn’t — no, I wasn’t there.”
On whether he had to adjust his style to work with Armstrong: “I mean, gosh, it’s kind of like — we call it doing the dance. And you know, when Dick Murdock was not much older than me — again, a tremendous wrestler. It was Murdoch who actually got me booked with Bill Watts. When Murdoch said, ‘I’m going to work for Bill Watts in Mid-South Wrestling.’ And he says, ‘Hey kid. If you want, maybe this would be a good time to get your feet wet and see if you really want to do this. And if you do,’ he says, ‘I can get you booked.’ And he did it with Bill.
“And so the summer of ’75 is when I started. And you know, opening match every night. But the guy across the ring was a veteran. And of course me, loving the business the way I do, I didn’t just wrestle and get a car and go on; I watched all the matches. I especially watched the guys in the main event. Those are the guys who drawing the money. And guys like Bob would be there to talk you through it. You know, a lot of people don’t know that but we talk to each other out there all the time. A lot of times — it’s funny some of the things you do. Like, I might be laying on my back, and the guy’s got my arm. And he’s looking at the referee who’s right there, but he’s talking to me.”
In a recent episode of his podcast, “Everybody’s Got A Pod,” WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. opened up about his history with wrestling legend Bob Armstrong and the weightlifting accident that resulted in Armstrong losing his nose. DiBiase also discussed how he had to adjust his wrestling style when working with Armstrong.
DiBiase began by expressing his admiration for Armstrong, stating that he had heard of him even before they met. Armstrong was considered an icon of his generation, and his sons also followed in his footsteps, carrying on his legacy in the wrestling industry.
However, DiBiase clarified that he was not involved in the accident that caused Armstrong to lose his nose. The incident occurred during a weightlifting session when the bar slipped out of Armstrong’s hand and landed on his face. DiBiase emphasized that he was not present at the time of the accident.
When asked if he had to modify his wrestling style to work with Armstrong, DiBiase explained that wrestling is like a dance, and it requires coordination and communication between the wrestlers. He recalled his early days in the business when he would watch the main event matches and learn from experienced wrestlers like Bob Armstrong.
DiBiase revealed that wrestlers often communicate with each other during matches, even though it may not be apparent to the audience. He shared an example of being on his back while an opponent had his arm, and they would exchange information or discuss the match while seemingly focused on the referee.
The conversation between DiBiase and Armstrong sheds light on the behind-the-scenes aspects of professional wrestling. It highlights the camaraderie and mentorship that exists among wrestlers, as well as the physical risks they face in their line of work.
Bob Armstrong’s weightlifting accident serves as a reminder of the dangers involved in professional wrestling and the toll it can take on a wrestler’s body. Despite the challenges, Armstrong’s resilience and determination allowed him to continue his career and leave a lasting impact on the industry.
Overall, DiBiase’s podcast episode provides fans with an insightful glimpse into the relationship between two wrestling legends and the realities of their profession. It showcases the respect and admiration that wrestlers have for each other and the sacrifices they make to entertain their audience.