10 Fascinating WWE Royal Rumble 1994 Facts
9. Ted Dibiase Had Just Retired From The Ring Days Before The Show
When the 1994 Royal Rumble kicked off, play-by-play voice Vince McMahon addressed the home audience alone, feigning not knowing who would be joining him at the commentary desk. As he played dumb for the cameras, the classic "Million Dollar Rap" theme music suddenly blared across the Providence Civic Center. After five months away, Ted Dibiase had returned.
Dibiase had left the company after SummerSlam 1993, departing for All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he and Stan Hansen quickly won the promotion's Tag Team belts. Within months of his arrival, Dibiase injured two cervical discs, and was forced to drop out of the annual World's Strongest Tag Determination League tournament in November.
Around his fortieth birthday in January 1994, Dibiase had opted to retire. Days later, with WWE needing a heel announcer due to the departure of Bobby Heenan and absence of Jerry Lawler, Dibiase got the call to come back.