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.
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 NU 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 last opponent of light heavyweight boxer Archie Moore.Archie Moore One of DiBiase's most notable matches was a Texas Death Match against Dory Funk Sr, which according to Terry Funk lasted for four hours and 10 minutes, having taken in 32 falls.
Death 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. 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. Ted DiBiase confirmed that his father had a huge cholesterol buildup and was genetically predisposed to heart disease.
Championships and accomplishments American Wrestling Association AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship (3 times)AWA Midwest Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com AWA Midwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Bob Orton (1) and The Avenger (1)AWA Midwest Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2006 Central States Wrestling NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (3 times)NWA Central States Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Florida version) (1 time)NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Title history At wrestling-titles.com NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida) history At wrestling-titles.com Fred Kohler Enterprises NWA World Tag Team Championship (Chicago Version) (1 time) – with Danny PlechasNWA World Tag Team Title (Chicago/Indianapolis) history At wrestling-titles.com NWA Rocky Mountain NWA Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Championship (1 time)Rocky Mountain Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com NWA Rocky Mountain Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Freddie Blassie and Juan GarciaRocky Mountain Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com NWA Tri-State NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com Pacific Northwest Wrestling NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com Southwest Sports, Inc. NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (1 time) NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Danny Plechas Western States Sports NWA International Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) – with Danny PlechasNWA International Tag Team Title (Amarillo) history At wrestling-titles.com NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (3 times)NWA North American heavyweight Title (Amarillo) history At wrestling-titles.com NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (4 times) – with Danny Plechas (2), Dr. X (1), and Fritz Von Erich (1)NWA Southwest/North American Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)NWA Southwest Junior Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (4 times) - with Art Nelson (1) and Danny Plechas (3) NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) Tournament (1957) - with Danny Plechas Worldwide Wrestling Associates WWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)WWA/NWA Americas Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)WWA World Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com WWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Killer Karl Kox (1) and Karl Gotch (2)WWA World Tag Team Title history At wrestling-titles.com Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee (2019)
See also List of premature professional wrestling deaths
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