Remembering Superstar Billy Graham

It’s with great sadness that we lost a true icon of professional wrestling on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023. Superstar Billy Graham amazed wrestling fans for decades. Unfortunately, after battling health issues and being put on life support, he died at age 79.

Wrestlebuddy joins everyone in paying tribute to the WWE Hall of Famer.

Photo credit-Essentially Sports ( Arnold Schwarzenegger with Superstar Billy Graham

Graham’s charismatic approach would leave an enduring effect concerning future icons. Let’s honor this once-in-a-lifetime performer by highlighting Superstar’s legendary career!

Before finding notoriety in the ring, Eldridge Wayne Coleman was born in Pheonix, Arizona, on June 7th, 1943. He transcended high-school athletics & won the shot-putting championship. He also boxed amateur and professionally while participating in the 1959 Golden Gloves & played for the Montreal Alouettes via the Canadian Football League. Colman found a passion for bodybuilding early in his younger years. Coleman conquered pro wrestling and physical fitness. He was known for his muscular appearance, which secured him a bodybuilding title. Popular magazines such as ” Muscle Fitness ” showed Graham on the cover. Celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger trained with Superstar. Here are illustrations of his dedication when he visited his first gym at ten years old. A young Billy Graham used weights from pipes and cement-filled coffee cans circa 11 years of age. He studiously read up on bodybuilding magazines. His idols were Steve Reeves and John Grimek. 

Graham learned under another wrestling luminary Stu Hart as one of his students inside the unforgiving ” Hart Dungeon ” in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and competed for Stampede Wrestling, making his debut on January 16th, 1970. After returning to the United States, He & Dr. Jerry Graham joined NWA’s Los Angeles promotion under promoter Mike Lebell. What inspired his wrestling name was notable evangelist Billy Graham. Superstar became more established as a ( kayfabe)brother to Jerry, Eddie & Luke Graham during a historic stint in Championship Wrestling from Florida. Later, Graham wrestled for Roy Shire’s NWA ( National Wrestling Alliance ) promotion. Those famed rivals included Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, & Peter Mavia.

Pic-Slam Wrestling: Billy & Crazy Luke Graham

Billy Graham’s success continued amidst the AWA (American Wrestling Association). Verne Gagne ran this promotion. Such memorable feuds presented matches against Wahoo McDaniel, Billy Robinson, & Ken Pantera. He starred in the film titled The Wrestler, starring Ed Ashner (1973). It did not take audiences long to realize that he was sensational. Before wrestling had Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, & Jesse Ventura, Superstar bleached his long hair blonde, possessing a flamboyancy combining color-themed ring attire and one magnificent braggadocious typed attitude. Before Dusty Rhodes’s classic promos, Graham blazed that improvised trail when utilizing clever rhymes on the mic during those beloved interviews. 

Billy Graham reaffirmed his illustrious prestige after debuting for the WWWF (Word Wide Wrestling Federation) in 1975, alongside tag-team partner Spiros Arion, who would defeat WWWF Champion- Bruno Sammartino & his tag-team partner Dominic De Nucci. An association with The Grand Wizard soon began as he managed Graham. Distinguished rivalries between Sammartino and Ivan Putski garnered much attention. A noteworthy observation; On February 2nd, 1976, his storied publicized encounters opposing Bruno Sammartino drew 27,000 observers to Madison Square Garden in New York City. Graham was NWA bound again and did Japanese tours. Superstar faced Ivan Koloff, Antonio Inoki, and Dusty Rhodes. He defeated Rhodes to capture the Florida Heavyweight title. Occasionally, Graham wrestled Harley Race in St. Louis. Billy Graham returned to the WWWF circa April 1977 following an agreement with promoter Vincent James McMahon. Wrestling history changed forever when he overwhelmed Bruno Sammartino to win the World Heavyweight Championship in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 30th, 1977.

Photo credit-WWE

Prominent magazines featured him on their covers and had articles with photos of Graham during his championship reign. Jack Brisco, Pedro Morales, and Don Muraco challenged the new champion.

Graham battles Harley Race

Many will reference his celebrated 1977 match versus NWA World Champion Harley Race at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, Florida. Remember, Graham was the WWWF Champion. This unification match went to a one-hour time-limit draw. He later lost the belt to Bob Backlund. Graham’s eminent rivalry with Dusty Rhodes gave us the epic Texas Bullrope Match. Graham remerged among various NWA-affiliated territories throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Subsequently, He came back to the WWF in 1982.

When Superstar Billy Graham returned to the WWF in September,1982,he did so with a totally different look.he was leaner,shaved his head,grew out a mustache and adopted a "Karate Master" gimmick..it was a very drastic change of appearance for The Superstar,without question pic.twitter.com/ibDwnaZR0T

— Rasslin' History 101 (@WrestlingIsKing) March 17, 2019

His attempts at developing a new karate-type gimmick that saw Graham sporting a bald head with a mustache look and wearing black martial arts-themed pants. It was considered unsuccessful according to certain people, while others enjoyed this alteration. Graham grew frustrated with Vince McMahon Sr over his character and not allowing him to turn babyface (good guy). He challenged Backlund for the Title but didn’t win. 

Courtesy of The Sportster & WWE, Superstar choking Dusty with the bull rope

Graham returned to AWA, Championship Wrestling from Florida, & Jim Crockett Promotions thru 1983 and 1986. We saw a reinvention of Billy Graham by joining Kevin Sullivan’s Army of Darkness in 1984, and then later, he opposed them.

Billy Graham joins Kevin Sullivan in The Army of Darkness

Graham was paired alongside Paul Jones and wrestled vs. Jimmy Valiant. He arrived again in the WWF during 1986-1989. Now, Superstar is being cheered by fans as the babyface. Just after making appearances for the company, Graham underwent hip replacement surgery. He engaged in encounters with Butch Reed and Harley Race. He retired from in-ring competition because of his hip & ankle issues. Graham tried commentary. Fans missed seeing him in between the ropes. 

Credit WWE for his final WWF run

Graham’s Championship accomplishments include; 2-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion, 1-time Continental Wrestling Association Champion, and 1-time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion. 

1973’s Pro Wrestling Illustrated Most Hated Wrestler of the Year & PWI Match of the Year vs. Bruno-1977, They also ranked him number # 277 of the best 500 singles wrestlers of the ” PWI Years” in 2003.

He went into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004.

Credit-WWE, Billy Graham Hall of Fame/2004

The WB expresses our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Coleman Family, his wife Valerie, and children Joey & Capella. RIP Superstar Billy Graham 1943-2023.

Let’s end the tribute with his signature quote, ” I’m the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour. ” 

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