Brett DiBiase

Brett DiBiase (born March 16, 1988) is an American retired professional wrestler and professional wrestling referee.[1][3] He is best known for his time in Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory.[1][4] He is a former FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with Joe Hennig as The Fortunate Sons.[5]

Brett DiBiase
DiBiase in January 2010.
Born (1988-03-16) March 16, 1988[1]
Clinton, Mississippi, United States[1]
Spouse(s)
Leah May
​
(m. 2009)​
FamilyMike DiBiase (grandfather)
Helen Hild (grandmother)
Ted DiBiase (father)
Mike DiBiase (half-brother)
Ted DiBiase Jr. (brother)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Brett DiBiase
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Billed weight219 lb (99 kg)[2]
Billed fromWest Palm Beach, Florida, United States[1]
Jackson, Mississippi[2]
Trained byFlorida Championship Wrestling[1]
DebutJuly 22, 2008[1]
RetiredAugust 2011

DiBiase is a third-generation professional wrestler. His grandmother Helen Hild and adoptive grandfather Iron Mike DiBiase were professional wrestlers, as was his father, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.[4] DiBiase's older brothers, Mike and Ted Jr., were also professional wrestlers.[4]

In December 2020, he pleaded guilty to making fraudulent statements concerning a role in the Mississippi welfare funds scandal and is awaiting his sentence. In March 2023, he would also plead guilty in federal court to conspiracy to defraud the United States government.

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2008–2011)

DiBiase made his debut for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), in mid-2008.[4] On August 19, DiBiase defeated Sheamus O'Shaunessy, but was defeated by Stu Sanders the following week.[6][7] Throughout the end of the year, he continued wrestling in FCW, competing against wrestlers including Gavin Spears, Dolph Ziggler, and Sinn Bowdee.[8][9]

DiBiase in FCW in 2009.

In early 2009, DiBiase competed sporadically for FCW, although he teamed regularly with fellow multi-generation wrestler, Maverick Darsow, in February.[10][11] He also competed in both tag team and singles matches, and defeated Byron Saxton in late March.[12] DiBiase made his FCW television debut on the May 17, 2009, episode, defeating Dylan Klein.[13] A few weeks later, DiBiase competed in a battle royal to become the number one contender for the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, but was eliminated.[14] On the June 7 episode of FCW, DiBiase lost to Klein, starting a scripted rivalry between the two.[15] They competed against each other on numerous occasions throughout June, July and August.[16][17][18]

At WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view in August 2009, DiBiase made an appearance as a planted fan in the audience, interfering in the WWE Championship match between Randy Orton and John Cena.[19] The following night, on August 24, DiBiase made his debut on Raw, appearing in backstage segments with The Legacy faction consisting of Orton, Cody Rhodes and his older brother Ted.[20]

After his appearance on Raw, he returned to FCW, where he formed a tag team with Joe Hennig known as The Fortunate Sons. On January 14, 2010, at an FCW television taping, The Fortunate Sons won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship by defeating The Dudebusters (Caylen Croft, Trent Barreta and Curt Hawkins).[5] On March 13, The Fortunate Sons lost the titles to The Uso Brothers (Jimmy and Jules).[21] At the April 8 FCW television tapings, Hennig blamed DiBiase for the loss, and in a match the two fought to a double disqualification.[22] At an FCW event on April 29, DiBiase faced Hennig again, but suffered a knee injury during the match.[23][24] He underwent surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament on May 18.[25] During his rehabilitation time, DiBiase joined the commentary team for FCW's television program.[26]

In May 2011 it was reported that DiBiase had begun to train as a referee due to on-going problems with his knee.[3] On August 22, DiBiase's father revealed that due to continuing knee problems after four surgeries, DiBiase had decided not to continue a career in professional wrestling. According to his father, DiBiase was to be released from his contract at the end of the month.[27] After being released from WWE Brett wrestled for Pro Wrestling EGO based in Mississippi, where he feuded with Jay Andrews.

Personal life

DiBiase is a third-generation wrestler.[4] His grandfather "Iron" Mike DiBiase and his grandmother Helen Hild were professional wrestlers, as was his father Ted DiBiase.[4] Both his older half brother, Mike, and his older full brother, Ted Jr., are also professional wrestlers.[4] On March 27, 2010, DiBiase and his brother Ted Jr. inducted their father into the WWE Hall of Fame.[28] DiBiase married his high school sweetheart Leah May in June 2009.[29]

Mississippi welfare funds scandal
Main article: Mississippi welfare funds scandal

DiBiase was arrested February 5, 2020, by the State Auditors Office of Mississippi in connection with a multimillion-dollar embezzlement scheme. The indictments included a range of violations involving fraud and embezzlement.[30] On December 17, he pleaded guilty[31] to one count of making a false statement, for which he was fined $48,000.[32]

In December 2020, DiBiase pleaded guilty to making fraudulent statements about a welfare fund scheme and paid $5,000 in restitution.[33][34] He also was found to have accepted a $48,000 contract from Mississippi's state welfare agency for work he did not perform because he was in a luxury rehab facility in Malibu, California.[34] An audit showed that all payments to the DiBiase family, namely DiBiase, his father and brother Ted DiBiase Jr., were indicative of fraud, waste or abuse.[34] In May 2022, the Mississippi Department of Human Services sued DiBiase, his father and brother, retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, and several others to recover more than $20 million in money "squandered" from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families anti-poverty program.[35] On March 2, 2023, DiBiase pleaded guilty to one federal charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and faces up to five years in prison.[36][37]

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. "Brett DiBiase". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  2. "Brett DiBiase". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  3. Martin, Adam (May 11, 2011). "Update on report regarding Brett DiBiase/WWE". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  4. Craft, Dan (May 14, 2009). "Ted DiBiase Jr. previews Saturday's WWE mega-show in Bloomington". Free Time Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  5. Gerweck, Steve (January 15, 2010). "FCW crowns new tag champions". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  6. Cooper, Tony (August 16, 2008). "August 16, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  7. Cooper, Tony (August 26, 2008). "August 26, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in New Port Richey, Florida at the Bourbon Street Night Club". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  8. "September 23, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Port Richey, Florida at the Bourbon Street Night Club". Online World of Wrestling. September 23, 2008. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  9. Wellington, Richard (September 30, 2008). "September 30, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.Vincenso, Don (October 10, 2008). "October 10, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Pinellas Park, Florida at the Boys and Girls Club". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  10. "February 13, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida at the Florida State Fair". Online World of Wrestling. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  11. "February 26, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Taping (airing 3/1) in Tampa, Florida at the FCW Arena". Online World of Wrestling. February 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  12. "March 20, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Orlando, Florida before 300 fans". Online World of Wrestling. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  13. Endres, Cody (May 24, 2009). "FCW TV Report 5/17: WWE Developmental wrestlers Brett DiBiase and Sheamus in action, Festus in TV main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  14. Endres, Cody (May 31, 2009). "FCW TV Report 5/31: Ricky Ortiz wins a battle royal, Jennifer Hudson's fiance makes in-ring debut, new FCW tag champs". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 17, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  15. Endres, Cody (June 17, 2009). "FCW TV Report 6/7: Sons of DiBiase and Brisco in action, more FCW GM ridiculousness, Ricky Ortiz challenges for FCW Title, Brian Blair rib". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  16. "June 18, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Taping in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. June 18, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  17. "July 2, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. July 2, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  18. "August 6, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. August 6, 2009. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  19. Martin, Adam (August 24, 2009). "Identity of "fan" run-in at the PPV". WrestleView. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  20. Plummer, Dale (August 24, 2009). "Raw: This show is Money". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  21. "March 13, 2010–Florida Championship Wrestling in Crystal River, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  22. "April 8, 2010–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings in Tampa, Florida at the FCW Arena". Online World of Wrestling. April 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  23. Martin, Adam (May 6, 2010). "Report on Brett DiBiase and Joe Hennig". WrestleView. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  24. Alvarez, Bryan (May 7, 2010). "FRIDAY UPDATE: Big weekend, Rock's next project, TUF coaches for next season, missing belt, DiBiase". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on May 12, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2010. We can confirm that Brett DiBiase injured his knee this past week and will have to undergo surgery.
  25. Gerweck, Steve (May 18, 2010). "News on Hulk Hogan, Brett DiBiase and WWC". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  26. Parks, Greg (December 15, 2010). "Free sample day: Step on in for a taste of the new PWTorch Newsletter". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2011. with the injured Brett DiBiase providing color commentary.
  27. "Why is WWE about to release DiBiase's brother from developmental?". Pro Wrestling Torch. August 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  28. Kapur, Bob (March 28, 2010). "Hall of Fame ceremony a serious event". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  29. "Brett DiBiase and Leah May". The Clinton Administration. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  30. Wolfe, Anna (February 5, 2020). "Former welfare agency head, others arrested for embezzling millions intended for poor Mississippians". Mississippi Today.
  31. Gallant, Jacob. "DiBiase pleads guilty for part in $4M embezzlement scheme". www.wlbt.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  32. "Brett Favre repays $600,000 in welfare money for speeches he did not make". October 28, 2021.
  33. "John Davis Pleads Guilty in Welfare Scandal". Mississippi Office of State Auditor. September 22, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  34. Wolfe, Anna (October 11, 2021). "Accountant pleads guilty in welfare embezzlement case, is working with prosecutors". Mississippi Today. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  35. "Mississippi Department of Human Services sues Brett Favre, others over welfare misspending". ESPN.com. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  36. Beveridge, Lici (March 2, 2023). "Brett DiBiase, former Mississippi DHS official, pleads guilty to federal conspiracy charge". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  37. Pittman, Ashton (March 2, 2023). "Wrestler Brett DiBiase Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge in Mississippi Welfare Scandal". Mississippi Free Press. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  38. "Pride Premier Wrestling". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  39. ""PWI 500": 101–200". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. July 31, 2010. Archived from the original on September 9, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
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