Million Dollar Corporation
Million Dollar Corporation | |
---|---|
Stable | |
Members | See below |
Debut | May 16, 1994 |
Disbanded | May 28, 1996 |
Years active | 1994-1996 |
The Million Dollar Corporation was a professional wrestling stable in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from April 1994 to May 1996 and was led and managed by the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. DiBiase had retired from active competition after a back injury in a match for All Japan Pro Wrestling in late 1993 and was brought back by the WWF as a manager.
History
Beginning (1994)
The group's foundation was laid on the May 16, 1994 episode of Monday Night Raw when Ted DiBiase announced that he had purchased the services of Nikolai Volkoff. Volkoff, as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, had fallen on hard times, and DiBiase took advantage by forcing him to be his servant in order for Volkoff to provide for his family. This included Volkoff wearing a tuxedo T-shirt as well as trunks that read "Property of the Million Dollar Man" along with cent signs, as opposed to the dollar signs DiBiase had worn on his trunks. Over the next couple of months, DiBiase acquired Bam Bam Bigelow as well as former tag team partner Irwin R. Schyster (I.R.S.).[1]
Another infamous addition was made early on, when DiBiase claimed to be bringing The Undertaker back to the WWF after a long absence. On the June 11 episode of Superstars a man looking and sounding like The Undertaker was produced by DiBiase.[2] Initially, announcers accepted DiBiase's claim, but eventually his man (wrestler Brian Lee) was revealed to be a doppelgänger. After a main event showdown with "the real Undertaker" at SummerSlam 1994, the Million Dollar Man's version was not seen again.[1][3]
Also at SummerSlam 1994, the Corporation gained another member. For weeks, the WWF had teased a heel turn by
Expansion (1995–1996)
Bam Bam Bigelow teamed with Tatanka to challenge for the
Throughout 1995, the Corporation continued to feud with the WWF's top faces, including The Undertaker, Luger, Diesel, and
DiBiase added
DiBiase managed Austin through a feud with Savio Vega, where Austin won at WrestleMania XII after a belt shot with the Million Dollar Championship.[8] Vega and Austin had a rematch at In Your House: Beware of Dog 2 in a strap match. Per the stipulation of that match, Vega would have had to become DiBiase's chauffeur if Austin won but DiBiase would be forced to leave the company if Vega won, which he did.[9] Austin claimed he had lost on purpose in order to rid himself of DiBiase, beginning a character transition for Austin while providing a storyline reason for DiBiase's departure; DiBiase had signed with rival promotion World Championship Wrestling shortly before this and debuted with the company later in 1996 as the financier for the nWo.[10]
Members
- Ted DiBiase (leader)
- Nikolai Volkoff[11]
- Ted DiBiase's Undertaker[1]
- Irwin R. Schyster[11]
- Bam Bam Bigelow[11]
- Tatanka[11]
- Kama[1]
- King Kong Bundy[11]
- Sycho Sid[11]
- 1-2-3 Kid[11]
- Xanta Klaus[11]
- The Ringmaster / Stone Cold Steve Austin[1]
Timeline
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/pw8xzfu4z2x0onh9z7gadhfvdrkscj6.png)
Championships and accomplishments
- World Wrestling Federation
- Million Dollar Championship (1 time) – The Ringmaster[1]
See also
References
- ^ ASIN B00RWUNSRS.
- ISBN 1-55022-584-7.
- ^ "SummerSlam 1994: Main Event". WWE. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
- ^ Criscuolo, Scott; Rozzero, Justin (July 5, 2007). "SummerSlam 1995 Review". The History of WWE. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. November 23, 1994. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ^ "World Tag Team Championship title history". WWE. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ^ ISSN 1043-7576.
- )
- ^ "Beware of Dog info". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
- ISBN 978-1499656343.
- ^ ISBN 978-075664190-0.