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Million Dollar Championship

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Million Dollar Championship
Million Dollar Title 06152021cg 004 Crop (1)--ec0511481c4c937f38ab3c9f0e3e4e3e.png
The Million Dollar Championship belt
Details
PromotionWWE
BrandRaw
(2010)
NXT
(2021)
Date establishedFebruary 15, 1989
Current champion(s)Cameron Grimes
Date wonAugust 22, 2021

The Million Dollar Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE, defended on the NXT brand division. The current champion is Cameron Grimes, who is in his first reign.

The title was originally introduced by "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase in 1989 as an unsanctioned championship. Unable to win or purchase the WWF Championship (now WWE Championship), DiBiase introduced the Million Dollar Championship as his own title, which he rarely defended. After DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1992, the Million Dollar Championship was abandoned. The title has been revived on three occasions: the first in 1996 for The Ringmaster, who shortly after became Stone Cold Steve Austin, the second in 2010 for DiBiase's son, Ted DiBiase Jr., and the third in 2021 for the NXT brand.

History[]

Frustrated that he could not win the then-WWF Championship, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase created his own belt, the Million Dollar Championship

Ted DiBiase, known as "The Million Dollar Man", was unable to win the WWF Championship (now WWE Championship), having lost the final match of the WWF Championship tournament at WrestleMania IV to "Macho Man" Randy Savage.[1] During the Summer of 1988, DiBiase teamed with André the Giant, in a team known as "The Mega Bucks", while chasing the WWF Championship.[2] Still unable to win the title, a frustrated DiBiase decided that if he could not win or buy the WWF Championship, he would purchase his own belt.[3] In 1989, DiBiase unveiled a new championship belt, which he called the Million Dollar Championship. This championship was not officially sanctioned by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and DiBiase would rarely put his "championship" on the line in matches.[1]

In early 1990, Jake "The Snake" Roberts stole the belt during his feud with DiBiase.[4] This also led to a face turn for the Big Boss Man, who resented his manager Slick selling his services to DiBiase in order to retrieve the belt from Roberts. After attacking Roberts and stealing the bag containing the belt and Roberts' pet python named Damien, DiBiase, the Boss Man, and Slick headed for "The Brother Love Show" where DiBiase bragged about buying the Boss Man's services. The Boss Man then told both Slick and DiBiase that he could not be bought and immediately returned the bag to Roberts, who had been left handcuffed to the ring ropes. The Boss Man then released Roberts, walked back to the Brother Love set, pushed Slick, and again told an irate DiBiase that he could not be bought before walking off to the cheers of the crowd, cementing his face turn.[5] DiBiase had his bodyguard Virgil get the belt back from Roberts at WrestleMania VI after Roberts was counted out during their match at the SkyDome.[6]

In 1991, DiBiase's bodyguard Virgil rebelled, turned face, and trained with "Rowdy" Roddy Piper to challenge DiBiase at SummerSlam for the Million Dollar Championship. Virgil won the match,[7] however, DiBiase regained the championship with the help of Repo Man at Survivor Series Showdown.[8] When DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster won the WWF Tag Team Championship on February 7, 1992, DiBiase abandoned the Million Dollar Championship.[9]

Ted DiBiase would later go on to award the championship to his newest protégé, The Ringmaster, on his arrival in the WWF in January 1996 (pre-taped in December 1995).[1] The Ringmaster would shortly after become known as Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Austin lost a match against Savio Vega on May 28, 1996, DiBiase was (kayfabe) forced to leave the WWF, thus the Million Dollar Championship was again abandoned.[1][10]

A dark-haired man wearing blue wrestling tights, black knee-high wrestling boots and black knee-pads stands on the white ropes of a wrestling ring. He is wearing around his waist a gold-plated professional wrestling championship belt shaped with three dollar signs on the front.
Ted DiBiase Jr. was awarded the Million Dollar Championship by his father Ted DiBiase in 2010

In May 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE, which became an orphaned initialism in 2011).[11] After several years, the Million Dollar Championship reappeared on WWE television in 2009 when DiBiase, the guest host of the night, appeared on the July 6 episode of Raw, carrying the belt as he fulfilled his guest host duties. Nearly a year later, when DiBiase was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 27, 2010, he had the Million Dollar Championship belt with him, saying he "never leave[s] home without it."[12] Then, on the April 5 episode of Raw, after DiBiase's son Ted DiBiase Jr. disbanded his tag team, Legacy, DiBiase Jr. came out holding the Million Dollar Championship, claiming his father had given it to him.[13] WWE's official website confirmed the reactivation of the unsanctioned championship under DiBiase Jr.'s profile. On the October 4 episode, Goldust attacked DiBiase Jr. and gained possession of the belt.[14] On the November 8 episode, Goldust's own wife Aksana stole the Million Dollar Championship belt from him.[15] Goldust stole the belt back the following week and returned it to "The Million Dollar Man", who then offered to return it to his son, who rejected the offer, thus the Million Dollar Championship was again deactivated.[16]

After more than a decade of being off television, the title was brought back in 2021 for WWE's NXT brand. On the February 10, 2021 episode of NXT, Cameron Grimes made his return from injury and claimed to have become a GameStop investor during his time away (in reference to the GameStop stock rise), thus making him the "richest man in NXT". Grimes then began a feud with DiBiase after encountering him in a jewelry store over their watches.[17][18] Over the next few weeks, "The Million Dollar Man" would continue to one-up Grimes, outbidding him in various purchases. The two then had a "Million Dollar Face-Off" on the May 25 episode where LA Knight defended and allied with DiBiase.[19] On the June 8 episode, DiBiase reintroduced the Million Dollar Championship and announced that the winner of a ladder match between Grimes and Knight at TakeOver: In Your House would win the title.[20] The match was won by Knight, becoming the first Million Dollar Champion in over 10 years.[21] During the following episode of NXT, Knight was formally presented with the Million Dollar Championship by DiBiase. After an emotional promo where he thanked DiBiase for being a fixture of his childhood and called receiving the championship from him the honor of his career, Knight turned on and attacked DiBiase, who was saved by Grimes; in a video uploaded to WWE's YouTube channel, it was shown that Grimes had apologized to DiBiase following the match at TakeOver.[22]

Belt design[]

The Million Dollar Championship belt was designed by Terry Betteridge of Betteridge Jewelers in Greenwich, Connecticut.[23] The center plate features three large dollar signs that are entirely filled with cubic zirconia, and there are three small diamonds on the back. The strap itself is made up of multiple metal dollar signs that go around the entire circumference of the strap; there are small hinges between each dollar sign so that the strap can go around the title holder's waist. All of the metal on the belt is gold plated. Although the belt was billed as being worth US$1,000,000, DiBiase claimed the cost was around $40,000,[24] while Bruce Prichard claimed the cost was close to $50,000 during an episode of his podcast, Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard.[25]

Reigns[]

As of August 25, 2021, there have been seven reigns between six champions as well as three vacancies. Ted DiBiase was the inaugural champion and has the most reigns at two. His first reign is also the longest reign at 922 days and he has the longest combined reign at 1,010 days. LA Knight has the shortest reign at 70 days. He is also the oldest champion, winning the title at 38 years old, while Ted DiBiase Jr. is the youngest at 27 years, 147 days old.

Cameron Grimes is the current champion in his first reign. He defeated LA Knight at TakeOver 36 on August 22, 2021 in Orlando, Florida in a match in which had Grimes lost, Ted DiBiase would have become Knight's butler.

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
1 Ted DiBiase February 15, 1989 Superstars of Wrestling Binghamton, New York 1 922 Frustrated that he could not win the WWF Championship, DiBiase had the Million Dollar Championship created for himself and unveiled the title belt during a segment of "The Brother Love Show". This episode aired on tape delay on March 4, 1989. [1]
2 Virgil August 26, 1991 SummerSlam New York, New York 1 77 [7]
3 Ted DiBiase November 11, 1991 Survivor Series Showdown Utica, New York 2 88 This program aired on tape delay on November 24, 1991. [8]
— Deactivated February 7, 1992 House show Denver, Colorado — — Ted DiBiase abandoned the title upon winning the WWF Tag Team Championship with Irwin R. Schyster during this house show. [1]
4 The Ringmaster/Stone Cold Steve Austin December 18, 1995 Raw Newark, Delaware 1 162 Awarded the championship by Ted DiBiase during a segment of "The Brother Love Show". This episode aired on tape delay on January 8, 1996. Shortly after, The Ringmaster became known as Stone Cold Steve Austin. [1][10][26]
— Deactivated May 28, 1996 — — — — Stone Cold Steve Austin abandoned the title following Ted DiBiase's departure from the WWF on May 28, 1996.
In May 2002, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 		[10][27]
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): Raw
5 Ted DiBiase Jr. April 5, 2010 Raw Moline, Illinois 1 224 Awarded the championship by his father, Ted DiBiase. [28][29]
— Deactivated November 15, 2010 Raw Hershey, Pennsylvania — — After the championship had been stolen from Ted DiBiase Jr., Goldust returned the title to Ted DiBiase, who attempted to give it back to his son, but DiBiase Jr. rejected it, thus abandoning the title. [30]
WWE: NXT
6 LA Knight June 13, 2021 TakeOver: In Your House Orlando, Florida 1 70 Ted DiBiase reintroduced the championship on the June 8, 2021 episode of NXT. Knight defeated Cameron Grimes in a ladder match to win the revived title. [21]
7 Cameron Grimes August 22, 2021 TakeOver 36 Orlando, Florida 1 3+ If Grimes lost, Ted DiBiase would have become LA Knight's butler. [31]

Combined reigns[]

As of August 25, 2021.

† Indicates the current champion
Rank Wrestler No. of
reigns 		Combined days
1 Ted DiBiase 2 1,010
2 Ted DiBiase Jr. 1 224
3 The Ringmaster 1 162
4 Virgil 1 77
5 LA Knight 1 70
6 Cameron Grimes † 1 3+

References[]

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "Ted DiBiase". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  2. ^ "SummerSlam Greatest Moments". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  3. ^ "Andre the Giant's first WWE Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 24, 2005. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  4. ^ Jake Roberts steals the Million Dollar Title (01-20-1990), retrieved July 31, 2021
  5. ^ WWF History – Big Boss Man (from heel to face) YouTube video, March 17, 2008, retrieved October 16, 2016
  6. ^ "WrestleMania VI". Pro Wrestling History. Archived from the original on March 29, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2009.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Full Event Results: SummerSlam 1991". WWE. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Ted DiBiase's Wrestling Biography". Wrestlin Rollercoaster. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  9. ^ "Money Inc.'s first World Tag Team Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 29, 2005. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Stone Cold's WWE Profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 24, 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  11. ^ "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Drops The "F" To Emphasize the "E" for Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  12. ^ "FULL REPORT FROM THE 2010 WWE HALL OF FAME CEREMONY INCLUDING WHAT YOU WON'T SEE ON USA NETWORK - PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  13. ^ Plummer, Dale (April 5, 2010). "Raw: Cena's not on the A-List". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
  14. ^ Keller, Wade (October 4, 2010). "Keller's WWE Raw report 10/4: John Cena joins The Nexus, wrestles as Nexus, reads statement regarding joining Nexus". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  15. ^ Plummer, Dale (November 8, 2010). "RAW: Barrett, Nexus celebrate early in the U.K". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  16. ^ Martin, Todd (November 16, 2010). "WWE Old School Raw Report". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  17. ^ Cook, Ryan (February 10, 2021). "WWE NXT Results for 2/10/21 The Last Stop Before Takeover: Vengeance Day". Fightful. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Cook, Ryan (February 10, 2021). "Cameron Grimes Invested In GameStop And Now You Can Kiss His Grits". Fightful. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Moore, John (May 25, 2021). "5/25 NXT TV Results: Moore's review of Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor for the NXT Championship, Franky Monet's in-ring debut, Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai vs. Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon for a shot at the NXT Women's Tag Titles, Ted DiBiase and Cameron Grimes face-off segment". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  20. ^ Moore, John (June 8, 2021). "6/8 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Karrion Kross, Adam Cole, Pete Dunne, Kyle O'Reilly, Johnny Gargano facing off before the NXT Title match at Sunday's Takeover, Ember Moon vs. Dakota Kai, Ted DiBiase's Priceless Announcement, Austin Theory vs. Oney Lorcan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b Powell, Jason (June 13, 2021). "NXT Takeover In Your House results – Powell's live review of Karrion Kross vs. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Pete Dunne vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT Title, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Ember Moon for the NXT Women's Title, Bronson Reed and MSK vs. Legado Del Fantasma for the NXT North American and NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  22. ^ Moore, John (June 15, 2021). "6/15 NXT TV results: Moore's review of William Regal addresses his future, Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher vs. The Grizzled Young Veterans in a tornado tag match, Kushida defends the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in an open challenge". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  23. ^ DiBiase & Caiazzo 2008, p. 167.
  24. ^ DiBiase & Caiazzo 2008, p. 168.
  25. ^ Varbie, Aaron (January 12, 2017). "10 Things We Learned From Bruce Prichard's Million Dollar Man Podcast". Featured. Still Real To Us. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  26. ^ DiBiase & Caiazzo 2008, p. 193.
  27. ^ "WWE In Your House: Beware of Dog Results: Part 2". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  28. ^ "WWE Superstars: Ted DiBiase". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  29. ^ Plummer, Dale (April 5, 2010). "Raw: Cena's not on the A-List". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  30. ^ Keller, Wade (November 15, 2010). "Keller's WWE Raw report 11/15: Special three-hour old school Raw with great angle at end, Jim Ross returns, Piper steps up, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  31. ^ Moore, John (August 22, 2021). "NXT Takeover 36 results: Moore's live review of Karrion Kross vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Championship, Raquel Gonzalez vs. Dakota Kai for the NXT Women's Title, Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly in a best of three falls match, Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 22, 2021.

Bibliography[]

  • DiBiase, Ted; Caiazzo, Tom (2008). Ted DiBiase: The Million Dollar Man. New York, NY: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-5890-3.

External links[]

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