The resurgence of professional wrestling in the eighties led to the super star status of the wrestlers of that time. Where those that were the most well-known in the early days had fame few had fortune. That changed when it became the big business that it is today. Documentaries have already been made about pro-wrestlers like Jake the Snake Roberts and his decline into drug addiction and the struggles Mick Foley went through to become the infamous Cactus Jack. Now we have the story of Ted DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man.
THE PRICE OF FAME tells his story, how his father left at an early age and how he was influenced by his stepfather Mike DiBiase who was a professional wrestler. Those days were not like the current style where money and drugs flowed freely. They were hard workers and men of integrity and that rubbed off on young Ted. He dreamed of following in Mike's footsteps. Unfortunately Mike died early and in the ring of a heart attack.
DiBiase did follow in those footsteps though. He trained and worked his way into the regional wrestling promotions making a name for himself rather than resting on his stepfather's laurels. He was considered a top technical wrestler who not only looked good but made those he wrestled with look good. It eventually got him noticed by the WWF just about the time things took off. Vince McMahon had a character in mind and thought he'd be prefect for it. That gimmick was The Million Dollar Man.
DiBiase's fortunes rose as he played the man who said "Everyone has their price". He was a star in the WWF, he was making money and he was traveling first class as the promotion wanted to make him appear to be and live just like the character he was portraying. But it took a toll on him in reality. DiBiase had a wife and kids at home. And while his being away on the road was something they might be able to live with the lifestyle he was choosing wasn't.
DiBiase was drinking and womanizing each night on the road. The accessibility of women who were fans was plentiful. He truly loved his wife and children but the lure and temptations he faced nightly were enough he took advantage of them. When word reached his wife, a Christian in the true sense of the word, he was faced with the reality of what he'd been doing. At the height of his career he walked away to rebuild the faith his wife had in him and the faith he had in God.
The structure of the movie is a mix of home movies, a minor amount of snippets from his wrestling days and more. The majority of it involves a journey he makes with his son Ted Jr., a wrestler in his own right, to discover who his father was and what he went through. They visit the city where Ted Sr. grew up as well as the grave of Mike. They talk about what happened with his other son. Both boys feel like they were left out of the loop when decisions were made and learn why that was. The journey is as much that of Ted Jr. as Sr. and it's a touching trip they make.
What we end up with is discovering what the price of fame truly is. It's a piece of your soul. It's nearly losing your family. It's a loss of faith and God. It's a loss of integrity. And it's a loss of respect. Ted DiBiase went through all of that and came out the other side stronger and more powerful than he was when he was wrestling.
The movie is a story of redemption, of coming back from the abyss. It isn't a case like so many stories of other wrestlers where we see the battle scarred bodies that function less than they did at their prime. This movie talks about the scars that are within the wrestlers who entertain us.
The movie also brings in those who knew DiBiase best when he was working. Famous faces like Gene Okerlund, JR, Shawn Michaels, Jake Roberts, Roddy Piper and more provide insight into both the way things were and their relationship with DiBiase. If you watch the film don't stop when the credits roll because right after is a 15 minute or so interview between DiBiase and Shawn Michaels where they reflect on their pasts.
I will say if you're a wrestling fan and expect this to be a collection of best matches or greatest hits you'll be disappointed. Stick to the DVDs released by WWE for those. This is a more personal story one that tells you about what happens behind the explosions, the lights, the glitter and glam that is associated with professional wrestling. At the same time it's not an indictment of the entertainment giant. No blame is laid at their feet and all is placed on the actions of the individuals. That someone like DiBiase can go through that and come out the other side better than ever is a testament to the man and to faith. If you want to know that story then this movie is one worth watching.
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