The Complete History Of The New World Order | Wrestling Timelines
August 26, 1996 - An Incredible Idea
In what is a sensational idea, Ted DiBiase, the former ‘Million Dollar Man’, becomes the fourth member of the nWo on Nitro as the ‘Benefactor’ of the group. In a deft bit of foreshadowing, he walks through the crowd and stations himself ringside as the Giant - who will become the fifth member, lured in by Ted’s riches - makes quick work of Jim Duggan.
DiBiase as benefactor fills in the gaping plot hole. If Nash and Hall aren’t contracted to WCW, who is paying them?
The angle is so hot - incandescent - that the fans aren’t exactly asking the question, or letting it get in the way of the unmissable chaos into which Monday Nitro has descended. That said: the idea is an inspired attention to detail, grounding the onscreen chaos with a narrative elegance that rewards investment and builds trust in the creative process.
The answer is DiBiase, who in WWF storylines was a vastly wealthy mega-heel. In a very cute bit, since he shares the same forename, he is nicknamed ‘Trillionaire Ted’ by his stablemates.
His performances are well-reviewed, but that doesn’t seem to matter…