5. Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase - The Main Event (February 5th, 1988)
The infamous double-referee debacle involving twin brothers, Earl and Dave Hebner, is renowned as the one and only time Andre the Giant held the WWF Championship that much is official. What isnt so official is what happened in the days that followed. Having just defeated the undefeatable by pinning Hulk Hogan, Andre would immediately relinquish his WWF Championship to the almighty cheque book of Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. While the history books maintain that the presentation of the title from Andre to DiBiase is considered null and void, DiBiase did actually appear at a number of shows as the incumbent WWF Champion. In the time between The Main Event on Feb 5th and Prime Time Wrestling on Feb 13th, DiBiase wore the gold of the WWF Championship proudly around his waist; including a televised appearance at the Boston Garden on Feb 6thwhere the new champ tagged with Andre against Hogan and Bam Bam Bigelow. Whats more, prior to the Boston bout, DiBiase was even introduced by the ring announcer as New World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Champion. During this time period, DiBiase even defended the belt in one-on-one competition against Bigelow; going toe-to-toe with the Beast from the East several times between Feb 7thand Feb 12th.Despite this fact, The Million Dollar Man is not considered a former WWF Champion and his brief reign as illegitimate champ is continuously glossed over in the official history of the WWF Title. The belt would become vacant, setting up the legendary 14-man tournament for the WWF Title that culminated in Randy Savage finally ascending to the throne; defeating none other than DiBiase in the tournament finals at WrestleMania IV.
Occasional wrestler, full-time gym rat and lifelong lover of the grapple game. Would probably buy you a shot of Jack at the bar in exchange for witty banter...and preferably more Jack.
@MartynGrant88 for more wrestling-related musings and weight room wisecracks!
