In late 2004, WWE offered DiBiase a job as creative. He accepted the job and worked as part of the creative team a year and a half. In April 2005, DiBiase was hired as a creative consultant and road agent for the SmackDown! brand of World Wrestling Entertainment. On October 3, 2005, at WWE Homecoming, DiBiase appeared with other WWE legends in a ceremony. He eventually led the attack on Rob Conway, who had come down to the ring to insult the legends.

thumb|right|200px|DiBiase at a radio program on July 15, 2006, at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum

DiBiase inducted his former manager Sensational Sherri into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006, and made an appearance at WrestleMania 22, offering Eugene $1,000 to dribble a basketball 100 times backstage and kicked the ball away at the last second. DiBiase also appeared on the April 17 episode of Raw behind a newspaper doing his famous evil laugh as the camera went off air. DiBiase made an appearance at an IPW show in Newton, Iowa, on July 14, 2006, where he watched his sons' tag team match. The following day, he accepted the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction for his father, Mike, at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum. He also appeared at the Raw Family Reunion on October 9, 2006, aiding Ric Flair in his match with the Spirit Squad. On October 26, 2006, Ted DiBiase was released from his WWE contract.

DiBiase made his first in ring appearance in over five years at the Raw 15th Anniversary Special on December 10, 2007, by winning a 15-man battle royal, in which he was not even an active participant. Irwin R. Schyster, DiBiase's former tag team partner of Money Incorporated, had won the battle royal. DiBiase came down to ringside and offered Schyster a bribe to eliminate himself. Schyster accepted and hopped over the top rope, making DiBiase the victor. DiBiase then declared that even after fifteen years, everyone still had a price for the "Million Dollar Man."

On the May 19, 2008, edition of Raw, he was seen alongside Mr. McMahon about to "discuss business", in William Regal's office. On the following Raw, DiBiase introduced his son Ted DiBiase Jr. to WWE as its newest member.

WWE Hall of Fame and sporadic appearances (2009–present)

thumb|left|200px|DiBiase making an appearance at a local indy show on August 20, 2011

On the June 29 episode of Raw, Ted DiBiase Jr. announced in a segment with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton that DiBiase would appear on Raw the following week as the special guest host, and DiBiase appeared as scheduled on July 6. On the show, DiBiase booked his son to face Randy Orton. After DiBiase Jr. lost the match, he accused his father of setting him up and trying to steal his time, even slapping his father across the face. DiBiase would later come out at the end of the show and sanctioned a triple threat match for Randy Orton's WWE Championship at Night of Champions including John Cena and Triple H in his final act as the guest host. He is also a playable character in WWE Legends of WrestleMania and an unlockable superstar in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 and WWE 2K14. DiBiase was announced as the first inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2010 on the February 8 episode of Raw. DiBiase appeared again on the November 2 edition of NXT, where he was the minister for Aksana and Goldust's wedding. Later in November 2010, DiBiase made an appearance on Raw, accompanied by Irwin R. Schyster, wherein Goldust returned the stolen Million Dollar Championship to him. DiBiase immediately offered to give the newly returned title to his son Ted DiBiase Jr., but was refused. On February 21, 2011, it was announced DiBiase would induct Jim Duggan into the Hall of Fame. He appeared on the Slammy Awards episode of Raw on December 12 alongside fellow legend Mick Foley, and presented the "Holy %&@*# Move of the Year" award, which was won by Mark Henry and Big Show. On April 10, 2012, DiBiase made an appearance on Smackdown: Blast from the Past. He returned on the March 4, 2013 Old School Raw at ringside with The Prime Time Players and agreed to be their manager if they won the match against Team Hell No. DiBiase, again accompanied by IRS, appeared at the 2014 Old School Raw special, encountering Big E Langston on his way to a match and told him everybody's got a price, to which Langston smiled.

On January 22, 2018, DiBiase made an appearance during the 25th Anniversary episode of Raw in which he played Poker with The Acolytes Protection Agency.

On July 22, 2019, DiBiase "bought" the WWE 24/7 Championship from Alundra Blayze. The 26-year space between his last title victory in 1993 is reportedly the longest in WWE history. He later lost the title to Drake Maverick in a limousine on the same night.

thumb|upright=1|DiBiase in 2021

On the April 27, 2021, episode of NXT, DiBiase "was inside the jewelry store showing his Silver and Gold diamond watch in front of Cameron Grimes and his gold watch and made Grimes jealous. Throughout May 2021, DiBiase would continue to cost Grimes matches and outdo him during skits such as outbidding him during a house auction on May 11, and costing him a victory on May 18th, following this incident it was announced the pair would have a 'Million Dollar Faceoff' on the May 25 episode of NXT. During the showdown, Grimes was attacked by L. A. Knight, with DiBiase yelling him he's "never gonna get it" before laughing and leaving with Knight. DiBiase put the Million Dollar Championship on the line in a ladder match between Knight and Grimes at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, in which Knight was victorious. On June 15, 2021, episode of NXT, Knight turned on DiBiase and attacked him. Grimes saved DiBiase from Knight. At NXT Takeover 36 Knight would face Grimes again, If Grimes lost, DiBiase would have had to become Knight's butler. At the event, Grimes defeated Knight to become the Million Dollar Champion with the help of DiBiase. On August 24, the storyline came to a conclusion on NXT, as they talked about Grimes' journey to the title and how he was now headed "Straight to the moon!". The celebration ended with fake $100 bills with Grimes' face raining down over the Capitol Wrestling Center.

Grimes later escorted DiBiase to his limousine and handed him the Million Dollar Championship. DiBiase handed the belt back, however upon checking it, Grimes realizes he has been handed a cheap replica. DiBiase leaves after giving his signature laugh.

On January 23, 2023, Dibiase made a backstage appearance at Raw is XXX alongside Irwin R. Schyster.

Christian ministry

DiBiase is now a Christian minister. In 1999, he founded Heart of David Ministry and travels the world ministering to churches, camps and conferences including Promise Keepers and Youth of the Nation. Ted is also the author of Every Man Has His Price, a part-autobiography and part-Christian testimony.

Welfare fraud accusations

In February 2020, it was reported that DiBiase's ministry received more than $2.1 million in welfare funds from the state of Mississippi after his son, Brett, was hired as deputy administrator of the state's Department of Human Services. His son, Brett, pleaded guilty to creating fraudulent statements in what has been labeled as Mississippi's largest public embezzlement case in state history. In October 2021, a court ordered Ted DiBiase Sr. to pay $722,299 of the misappropriated funds given to his Heart of David Ministries. In May 2022, the Mississippi Department of Human Services sued DiBiase, his sons, and retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, and several others to recover more than $20 million in money "squandered" from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families anti-poverty program.

In April 2022, the Mississippi Office of State Auditor reported that DiBiase personally received a $250,000 check from the Family Resource Center, a Mississippi welfare grantee, to "provide services as a Motivational Speaker." DiBiase forwarded an email from the welfare grantee to his sons, Ted DiBiase Jr. and Brett DiBiase, stating: "Look what I got today!". DiBiase says his famous name made his family a target for federal investigators. "We're caught in the middle of it. If I didn't have a celebrity name they wouldn't even be looking at me."

Opening statements began on January 7, 2026, in the federal trial against DiBiase. He is accused of misusing federal welfare funds intended for low-income families in Mississippi. The charges were first made public in 2023.

Books

  • DiBiase, Ted. Every Man Has His Price. Multnomah Publishers. 1997.
  • DiBiase, Ted. The Million Dollar Man. Pocket Books. 2008.
  • DiBiase, Ted (Foreword). Bruce, William J., III. Penholder. Queensbridge Publishing. 2010.

Documentaries

  • Wrestling with Faith is a documentary film about Ted DiBiase. It went into production in February 2010.
  • The Price of Fame is a documentary film directed by Peter Ferriero and executive produced by Ferriero, Ted DiBiase Jr. & Engage Media Partners. The film features Ted DiBiase Jr. following his father's story of redemption and faith. It was released on November 7, 2017, in 650 theaters through Fathom Events. The film was released on DVD and digitally on April 10, 2018.
  • Nine Legends is a documentary in which Ted DiBiase is profiled as one of the nine wrestling or boxing legends.

Personal life

DiBiase's sons, Mike, Ted Jr. and Brett were formerly professional wrestlers.

DiBiase went to West Texas State University, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. Junkyard Dog was the best man at Ted DiBiase's wedding

In a 2016 interview with ESPN.com, DiBiase revealed that he and Virgil had a falling out over Virgil trying to book himself and DiBiase on independent wrestling shows without DiBiase's knowledge. DiBiase stated that Virgil does not represent him for bookings.

In June 2023, DiBiase admitted that he is suffering from a severe brain trauma in his Everybody's Got A Pod podcast.

Championships and accomplishments

thumb|DiBiase is a four-time [[Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship|Mid-South North American Heavyweight Champion.]]

  • All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • NWA United National Championship (1 time)
  • World's Strongest Tag Determination League (1985) – with Stan Hansen
  • Champion Carnival Technique Award (1980)
  • Champion Carnival Outstanding Performance Award (1982)
  • Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2010)
  • Central States Wrestling
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

thumb|DiBiase (left) and Steve Williams as [[Mid-South Tag Team Championship|Mid-South Tag Team champions, ]]

  • NWA Tri-State/Mid-South Wrestling Association
  • Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
  • Ranked No. 17 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991
  • Ranked No. 32 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
  • Ranked No. 20, No. 24, and No. 61 of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years with Steve Williams, Stan Hansen, and Irwin R. Schyster, respectively, in 2003
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2007
  • St. Louis Wrestling Club
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • Texas All-Star Wrestling
  • TASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Slammy Award (2 times)
  • Humanitarian of the Year (1987)
  • Best Manager (1994)
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Best Gimmick (1987)
  • Best Heel (1987, 1988)
  • Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (2019)

Notes

References

  • HeartOfDavidMinistry.com (Official Ministry Website)
  • Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile
  • Ted Dibiase Interview
  • Ted DiBiase Article