In an interview with Sports Illustrated, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. commented on a variety of topics, including the creation of the Million Dollar Man gimmick.

“Vince flew my wife and I first class to New York and he laid out the whole idea behind the Million Dollar Man. He said that the one thing everybody hates is the man who, by virtue of his wealth, thinks he can buy anyone or anything. Vince then said, in order to make the public believe you’re really rich, we’re going to fly you first class, you’ll have limousine service every day and every time the public sees you, they’ll see the appearance of wealth. He even went so far to give me lash cash. I’d pick my spots and go into a restaurant, announce myself and tell everyone it was their lucky day because the Million Dollar Man had arrived. Virgil would pick up everyone’s check and I’d slap down the hundred dollar bills and the WWE office would replenish me after I gave them the receipt.”

The interview is available in full at this link.