Million Dollar Man no longer wrestles with The Truth Former WWF superstar, Ted DiBiase, learned the hard way that money can't buy happiness. by Elizabeth Schienbein     It is said that money can't buy happiness; just ask The Million Dollar Man, wrestler Ted DiBiase. His entire persona was based on the riches of this world and in the end his life and career broke him, his marriage and his family.     It was in 1987 when the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) offered the imposing 6'4" DiBiase an opportunity to become their most "evil, self centred, egomaniac" ever to step inside the ring.     His public image was exaggerated to give the impression his wrestling character had more money than people could dream of. No one was beyond being bought, including the referees. Sadly, his image, meant to be fictitious became Ted DiBiase's reality.     "I got consumed by it," says DiBiase, "it started to take over my life."     The bright lights of the ring blinded him to everything but himself. The Million Dollar Man was traveling down the fast lane and lived the life that accompanied it. Meanwhile, his wife and three children, with whom he once had a loving relationship, were left at home feeling worthless.     DiBiase says "it was pure selfishness," that made him turn his life away from God, a life which his Catholic upbringing had once taught him to believe in. In effect he had become his own god.     "It was ego," says DiBiase, "E.G.O.....it Edges God Out."     Eventually his self-centred life caught up to him. While he was wrestling in Europe, his wife, upon hearing of his activities outside of the ring, announced that she and their children were 'withdrawing their interest' from The Million Dollar Man's account -- he was told not to come home again. Unfortunately for DiBiase, he needed more than just wealth and fame to win back his family.     Faced with a battle he was on the brink of losing, DiBiase turned to Pastor Hal Santos, a man who prior to DiBiase's WWF career had redirected him towards Christ. Santos advised DiBiase to confess the truth to his wife and then to trust God for the outcome.     The outcome, DiBiase's renewed relationship with God, came about at a youth convention that both he and his wife attended. At the conference DiBiase was seated in the front row in full view of 2,500 young people, many of whom were fans of his. The difference between this crowd and the WWF crowd was that they were watching a real life event, not a TV program; The Million Dollar Man was about to surrender to The Undefeated Truth.     "I heard whispers but I didn't care. When the speaker gave the invitation to come to Christ I bolted to the front; it was like I had blinders on. I felt the Holy Spirit was speaking to me! I mean I couldn't get there fast enough."     "I cried openly but I didn't care, I had a chance to make peace with God. I was at the foot of the cross, like the prodigal son coming home. I was so broken I just said 'OK Jesus, anything, it's Yours, take it all.'"     God did take it all and DiBiase's career soon changed. Later that year he suffered a career threatening neck injury. It ended the career of The Million Dollar Man as the world knew him but it started a life that allowed Ted DiBiase to spend time with his family and his growing relationship with Jesus Christ.     To secure DiBiase's finances God provided an insurance settlement. On top of that DiBiase was hired as a colour commentator for TV wrestling. It's a position that pays him well and affords him time for his new-found ministry.     Ted DiBiase is now a spokesperson for Athletes International Ministries (AIM). He uses his Million Dollar Man image as a platform to reach people who need Christ just like he did.     AIM recently brought DiBiase to Alberta to speak at several of their functions. It was at the AIM Awards Banquet in Edmonton that 'The Million Dollar Man' confirmed that money can't buy true happiness; only Christ can.     "I'm floating ten feet above the ground, I've been so blessed. You can take all the fame and fortune and stick it in the trash can because without Him I'm nothing."     "I have Jesus and that's all I need." [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives][Good News] [About Us][Links]