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Ted DiBiase- WWE in February/March 1989
WWE WrestleMania IV remains memorable for many reasons. It stands the test of time because it's the show where “Macho Man" Randy Savage won the WWF Championship in a one-night tournament. This victory was arguably the crowning achievement in Savage’s WWE career.
This night also proved to be the beginning of what would become the “Mega Powers Explode” storyline, perhaps the greatest storyline in WWE history. But rumor has it that Savage may or may not have been the initial choice to leave the show with the championship.
On the heel side of the roster in late 1988 and 1989, there was perhaps no one who garnered more hatred from the crowd then "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. He may not have needed the title, but if there was a time that DiBiase could have carried it, this was the time frame.
Even DiBiase himself has said in various shoot interviews that he thought he would be winning the tournament at WrestleMania IV. His actions in the infamous Hulk Hogan/Andre the Giant Saturday Night’s Main Event title match were the reason for the title to be vacated and the tournament to be held in the first place. But then he was supposed to go on to win it, too. Now that’s a true heel.
Apparently plans changed, but no one could have argued if this had been the creative direction the WWF went with. Had DiBiase walked out of WrestleMania IV as the champion, it would have added even more heat to his presentation and cemented him as the top bad guy in WWE.
He could have then easily slid into championship feuds with Savage and eventually Hogan. If ever there was a character tailor made to be champion, it was "The Million Dollar Man."
