What Happened to Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr.?
Ted DiBiase Jr. is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE, where he was a two-time World Tag Team Champion and a member of 'The Legacy'. After his wrestling career, he became embroiled in the Mississippi welfare scandal, facing 13 federal charges related to fraud and money laundering, but was acquitted on all counts in March 2026.
Quick Answer
Ted DiBiase Jr., a former WWE superstar, was recently acquitted on March 20, 2026, of all 13 federal charges related to the Mississippi welfare scandal, which included conspiracy, wire fraud, theft, and money laundering. He had been accused of fraudulently obtaining millions in federal welfare dollars for personal gain through sham contracts. Following his acquittal, DiBiase Jr. made his first wrestling-related public appearance at WrestleCon 2026 in April 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr. is born, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr.
Professional Wrestling Debut
DiBiase Jr. begins his professional wrestling career, following training from Chris Youngblood and Harley Race's Wrestling Academy.
Signs with WWE
Ted DiBiase Jr. signs a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
WWE Television Debut
DiBiase Jr. makes his WWE television debut on Raw, challenging the World Tag Team Champions.
Wins First World Tag Team Championship
In his debut match, DiBiase Jr. wins the World Tag Team Championship with Cody Rhodes at Night of Champions.
Forms 'The Legacy' with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes
DiBiase Jr. officially joins Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes to form the prominent WWE faction 'The Legacy'.
Departs from WWE
DiBiase Jr. officially leaves WWE, declining a five-year contract extension due to personal reasons, including depression and anxiety, and a desire to focus on family.
Announces Retirement from Wrestling
After sporadic appearances on the independent circuit, DiBiase Jr. announces his retirement from professional wrestling.
Mississippi Welfare Scandal Comes to Light
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) director John Davis is indicted, revealing a large-scale welfare fraud scheme that would later implicate DiBiase Jr.
Federal Indictment and Arrest
Ted DiBiase Jr. is federally indicted and arrested on 13 charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, theft, and money laundering, related to the Mississippi welfare scandal.
Trial Delayed to January 2026
DiBiase Jr.'s federal trial is postponed to January 6, 2026, after his legal team cites late-arriving exculpatory video evidence from the government.
Federal Trial Begins
Ted DiBiase Jr.'s criminal trial for his alleged role in the Mississippi welfare scandal begins at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse.
Trial Delayed Again Due to Attorney Health
The trial is further delayed to February 23, 2026, due to an unexpected health issue involving DiBiase Jr.'s lead defense attorney.
Acquitted on All Federal Charges
A jury finds Ted DiBiase Jr. not guilty on all 13 federal charges related to the Mississippi welfare scandal after a trial spanning two months.
Appears at WrestleCon 2026
Following his acquittal, Ted DiBiase Jr. makes his first public wrestling-related appearance at WrestleCon in Las Vegas.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr., born November 8, 1982, followed in the footsteps of his famous father, 'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase Sr., into professional wrestling. He signed with WWE in 2007, making his television debut in May 2008. He quickly rose to prominence, winning the World Tag Team Championship twice with Cody Rhodes and later becoming a key member of 'The Legacy' faction alongside Rhodes and Randy Orton. DiBiase Jr. also held the Million Dollar Championship, a title associated with his father. He left WWE in 2013, citing family commitments and mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety, and continued to wrestle on the independent circuit until his retirement in 2017.
After his wrestling career, DiBiase Jr. transitioned into business pursuits. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he became entangled in the sprawling Mississippi welfare scandal. The scandal, which came to light in 2020, involved the alleged misspending of over $77 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds intended for the state's poorest residents. DiBiase Jr., along with his brother Brett DiBiase and other high-profile individuals, was accused of fraudulently obtaining millions through sham contracts for social services that were never provided.
A federal indictment unsealed in April 2023 charged DiBiase Jr. with one count of conspiracy, six counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and four counts of money laundering. Prosecutors alleged he used the misappropriated funds for personal expenses, including a vehicle, a boat, and a down payment on a house. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial, initially set for 2024, faced multiple delays, including one in July 2025 due to late-arriving evidence and another in January 2026 due to his lead defense attorney's health issues.
The federal trial against Ted DiBiase Jr. commenced in January 2026. After weeks of proceedings and jury deliberations, he was acquitted on all 13 federal charges on March 20, 2026. DiBiase Jr. was the only person charged in the scandal to face a criminal trial, as other co-conspirators, including his brother Brett DiBiase and former MDHS director John Davis, pleaded guilty. Following his acquittal, DiBiase Jr. expressed gratitude, stating, "To God goes the glory." As of April 2026, he has begun to re-engage with the public, making an appearance at WrestleCon 2026 from April 16-19, 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Theodore Marvin DiBiase Jr. made different choices?