Quick Facts
Biography
Michael DiBiase (December 24, 1923 – July 2, 1969) was an Italian American professional wrestler, also known by his ring name "Iron" Mike DiBiase. The adoptive father of professional wrestler "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, he was married to Ted's mother Helen Hild (also a professional wrestler), and was the grandfather of Mike, Ted Jr., and Brett DiBiase.
Amateur wrestling career
As an amateur wrestler, DiBiase, representing the US Navy, was the 1946 AAU champion in the UNL (open or heavyweight) division. He then wrestled at the University of Nebraska, and competed at UNL in the NCAA tournament in 1947 and 1948, losing his first round match both years.
Professional wrestling career
DiBiase made his professional debut in 1950. In 1963, DiBiase became the 131st and last knockout victim of light heavyweight boxer Archie Moore.
Death
DiBiase is one of the few professional wrestlers to die during a match. On July 2, 1969, in Lubbock, Texas, DiBiase had a fatal heart attack in the ring during a match with Man Mountain Mike. Harley Race, recognizing a heart attack, attempted to perform CPR on DiBiase and then rode in the ambulance with him. DiBiase was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Association
- AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Bob Orton (1) and The Avenger (1)
- Central States Wrestling
- NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
- NWA Chicago
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Chicago Version) (1 time) – with Danny Plechas
- NWA Rocky Mountain
- NWA Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Rocky Mountain Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Freddie Blassie and Juan Garcia
- NWA Tri-State
- NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Western States Sports
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) – with Danny Plechas
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (3 times)
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (4 times) – with Danny Plechas (2), Dr. X (1), and Fritz Von Erich (1)
- NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pacific Northwest Wrestling
- NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Southwest Sports, Inc.
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (1 time)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Danny Plechas
- Worldwide Wrestling Associates
- WWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Killer Karl Kox (1) and Karl Gotch (2)