Ted DiBiase Now on His Own in WWE

It was just two years ago when Ted DiBiase made his television debut with the WWE. Most of that time since then saw him as part of the group called Legacy which also included Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.

Earlier this year, the group broke up. Now, DiBiase is his own man and looking for success as a singles wrestler. He's begun doing that by taking the persona of a spoiled millionaire who gets whatever he wants by throwing money around. Sound familiar? It should since his father – and now WWE Hall of Famer -- Ted DiBiase made it famous years ago with the company as the legendary 'Million Dollar Man'.

Young Ted even has his dad's 'Million Dollar Championship Belt' and his old bodyguard/servant Virgil by his side now. This Sunday at the WWE Over The Limit pay-per-view (8PM ET / 5PM PT), DiBiase will look to take another step forward as he squares off against R-Truth.

FanHouse spoke with him about the new persona, the breakup of Legacy, having his first match at WrestleMania earlier this year, his dad being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and more.

Brian Fritz: Did you know Virgil growing up?
Ted DiBiase: There were several times when he would actually pick me up from school. I remember, he used to be jacked. He used to have these huge arms and I'd grab on to those arms to do pull-ups. I remember doing that kind of stuff, jumping off his back on the couch. He was kind of like a play friend. Now, he's in my corner this Sunday at Over the Limit when I face R-Truth. He'll be opening the ropes and doing whatever I tell him to.

When it comes to the Million Dollar title, is that the original one you have?
Yeah.

Did WWE have it or did you dad have it?
My dad actually had it. I don't know where he was keeping it either. I hadn't seen it in an extremely long time. I didn't even know that he still had it. Then one day, I get a knock on my door and it's my father and he was trying to – I don't know – make up for lost time I guess. It was a nice gesture. I think it's kind of helped our relationship a little bit.

Now, you've broken away from Legacy and you're on your own. You have this new persona. Are you worried that it will be too much like your dad and you won't be your own person?
No, not at all. I'm nothing like my dad. I'm actually much better looking, more talented. I made a movie; I'm a movie star. I've surpassed my dad already. I have no fear of that whatsoever. My actions will speak for themselves.

What's your thoughts about the breakup of Legacy? That seemed to be coming for a long time and didn't have as much drama at the end.
The Legacy was a good run. It was successful, people were into it. Whether you liked us or hated us, you wanted to see us. I think it was a great learning experience. It was something nice to hold on to at the beginning of a career, being paired with Randy Orton. As much as I dislike him now, it was good for learning, good for the career. The breakup, I think, was inevitable with Cody (Rhodes) and I both wanting to go our own ways and chase for a title. That was hard to do as a tag team. We both want our own, very successful careers. He's on Smackdown now, I'm on Raw still. I think he'll do very well and be very successful. I know I will.

You got to have your first match at WrestleMania just a few months ago (WrestleMania 26 on March 28) where you faced Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. What was it like for you for the first time getting the opportunity to be on that stage?
That was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I can say, honestly, in front of 73, 74,000 people live and then millions around the world. The atmosphere there was electric. Being in the ring with Randy -- and Cody – you know, Randy just brings it. He's been there before, several times and had some really big matches. Getting in the ring with that guy was something else. It's hard to describe. I definitely want more of it.

Did you grab anything as a keepsake?
You know, I'm not really big on that. I try sometimes but I'll end up losing it. I just come home and throw everything around. Thank God my wife is organized because I'm very unorganized. I always had someone picking up after me when I was younger. I guess it kind of carried on.



Explain what it was like the night before at the Hall of Fame. Your dad was the main guy going in. You along with your brother Brett got to induct him. What was that moment like for you being on the stage and then seeing your dad officially go into the Hall of Fame.
Honestly, that was really special. That was a very surreal moment and another moment I'll never forget and I'll cherish forever. I was proud of the old man and he definitely deserved what he got. That night with the next day following with WrestleMania was just ... It's hard to put in words because when you have a dream and then it comes true. You dream about becoming a wrestler and then your ultimate dream is wrestling at WrestleMania because that's it, you can't go any bigger than that. Main eventing WrestleMania is next and I definitely plan on doing that too. I've been there now and when your dreams come true, it's just something you can't describe. It's a very good feeling and a huge blessing.

There's a youth movement going on with the WWE right now. We're seeing a changing of the guard. Do you look at this as a time where you really have to step up to show what you have?
Absolutely! I'm excited. I'm excited to move on some of these old guys. I'd love to get in the ring with them and prove my talent. I'll get my chance. I'm starting with R-Truth this Sunday at Over the Limit.