13 Wrestling Matches That Cost Wrestlers Their Custom Belts
12. Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Championship
After failing to both buy and win the WWF Championship, Ted DiBiase exhibited his self-financed custom championship on The Brother Love Show (15 February 1989). The Million Dollar Championship had the kayfabe value of a million dollars and was made of gold and diamonds. Nobody got it off DiBiase’s waist long enough for it to be appraised. As the championship was unsanctioned, ‘The Million Dollar Man’ could defend the title on his own whims. Before SummerSlam, DiBiase’s only PPV defence was against Jake Roberts at WrestleMania XI.
Virgil vs. Ted DiBiase (c) (with Sensational Sherri)
SummerSlam 1991
After growing tired of DiBiase humiliating him, his former bodyguard Virgil turned at Royal Rumble 1991, nailing him with the Million Dollar Championship. Their feud was given time to build momentum and Virgil’s pairing with the charismatic Roddy Piper piqued fan’s interest. At SummerSlam, Virgil took the Million Dollar Championship after hitting DiBiase into an exposed turnbuckle. 'The Million Dollar Man' enlisted the Repo Man to reunite him with his custom belt. However, DiBiase retired the championship upon winning the Tag Team straps with Irwin R. Schyster on 7 February 1992.
The title was resurrected for two short runs with Steve Austin, as The Ringmaster, in 1995/1996 and Ted DiBiase Jr. in 2010. Neither man lost the belt.