Iron Mike DiBiase

Michael DiBiase (December 24, 1923 – July 2, 1969) was an 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.

"Michael DiBiase" redirects here. For the Canadian politician, see Michael Di Biase.
This article is about "Iron" Mike DiBiase. For his grandson who also competed as Mike DiBiase, see Mike DiBiase (born 1977).
Iron Mike DiBiase
Birth nameMichael DiBiase
Born(1923-12-24)December 24, 1923
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 2, 1969(1969-07-02) (aged 45)
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1958)​
ChildrenTed DiBiase (adopted son)
FamilyTed DiBiase Jr. (adopted grandson)
Mike DiBiase (adopted grandson)
Brett DiBiase (adopted grandson)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mike DiBiase
Miguel Lopez
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Billed weight230 lb (104 kg)[1]
Billed fromItaly
Debut1950

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.[2] One of DiBiase's most notable matches was a Texas Death Match against Dory Funk Sr, which lasted for one hour and 44 minutes, having taken in 16 falls before Funk was declared the winner.

Death

DiBiase is one of several professional wrestlers to die prematurely. DiBiase died in the ring on July 2, 1969, in Lubbock, Texas, following a match with Man Mountain Mike as the result of a fatal heart attack.[3] Harley Race performed CPR on DiBiase and then rode in the ambulance with him. DiBiase was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was buried at the Sunset Cemetery in Willcox, Arizona.[4] Ted DiBiase confirmed that his father had a huge cholesterol buildup and was genetically predisposed to heart disease.

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References
  1. "Mike Dibiase profile". OWW.
  2. Archie Moore
  3. "Inductee: Mike Dibiase". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  4. Mike DiBiase at Find a Grave
  5. AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  6. AWA Midwest Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  7. "Hall of Fame Inductions Report: Bret Hart, Larrry Hennig, Mike DiBiase, Dory Funk Sr., Bop Roop". PWTorch. July 6, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  8. NWA Central States Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  9. NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  10. NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history At wrestling-titles.com
  11. NWA World Tag Team Title (Chicago/Indianapolis) history At wrestling-titles.com
  12. Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  13. Rocky Mountain Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  14. NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  15. NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  16. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 271. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  17. "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  18. Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  19. "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  20. NWA International Tag Team Title (Amarillo) history At wrestling-titles.com
  21. Hoops, Brian (March 5, 2017). "Daily Pro Wrestling History (03/05): The Hardy Boyz win WWF tag team gold". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  22. NWA North American heavyweight Title (Amarillo) history At wrestling-titles.com
  23. NWA Southwest/North American Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  24. NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  25. WWA/NWA Americas Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  26. WWA World Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
  27. WWA World Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com
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