Michael DiBiase

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"Iron" Mike DiBiase (December 24, 1923 – July 2, 1969) was an American professional wrestler and the adoptive father of legendary professional wrestler "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He married Ted's mother Helen Hild (also a professional wrestler), and legally adopted and raised Ted.

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.

DiBiase made his professional debut in 1956 and was one of the few professional wrestlers to die during a match. On July 2, 1969 in Amarillo, Texas, “Iron" Mike suffered a fatal heart attack in the ring during a match with Man Mountain Mike. Harley Race, realizing that he was suffering a heart attack, attempted to perform CPR on DiBiase and then rode in the ambulance to the hospital with him. DiBiase was pronounced dead at the Hospital. His death, though the heart attack happened in the ring, was not related to professional wrestling or the match he was in but as a result of a high cholesterol level.

On July 15, 2006, DiBiase was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton, Iowa. The honor was accepted by his stepson, Ted. Other inductees included Larry Hennig, Bret Hart, Dory Funk Sr., Nikita Koloff, Tom Jenkins, and Bob Roop.

[edit] Trivia

• Michael DiBiase has two step-grandsons (sons of Ted DiBiase) currently working as a professional wrestling tag team in the independent circuit.
• Michael DiBiase boxed Archie Moore on March 15, 1963 in Moore's final bout.

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

• American Wrestling Association

• AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Bob Orton (1) and The Avenger (1)

• National Wrestling Alliance

World

• NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

National

• 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) (3 times) – with Danny Plechas (1), Dr. X (1), and Fritz Von Erich (1)

Regional

• NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
• NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
• NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Danny Plechas
• NWA World Tag Team Championship (Chicago Version) (1 time) – with Danny Plechas

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

• 2006 inductee to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

• World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles)

• WWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Killer Karl Kox

• Other titles

• Rocky Mountain Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Juan Garcia as Miguel Perez