"Superstar" Billy Graham
"Superstar" Billy Graham | |
---|---|
Birth name | Eldridge Wayne Coleman Jr. |
Born | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | June 7, 1943
Died | May 17, 2023 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | (aged 79)
Spouse(s) |
Valerie Coleman (m. 1979) |
Children | 2 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Billy Graham[1] Wayne Coleman[2] |
Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1] |
Billed weight | 275 lb (125 kg)[1] |
Billed from | Paradise Valley, Arizona[1][3] |
Trained by | Stu Hart[2] |
Debut | 1970 |
Retired | 1987 |
Eldridge Wayne Coleman Jr.
Early life
Coleman was born into a working-class family in
Coleman attended North High School, where he was a track and field star and a shot put champion.[8][10] He also dabbled in amateur and professional boxing, participating in the 1959 Golden Gloves.[11]
Coleman played for the
Bodybuilding career
In 1961, Coleman was the winner of the West Coast division of the Mr. Teenage America bodybuilding contest (
When Coleman decided to become a professional wrestler two years later, he had the inspiration of marrying wrestling to bodybuilding. As a wrestler, he weight-trained continually, and in 1975 prepared for the World Bodybuilding Guild's Pro Mr. America contest in New York City, where his 22-inch biceps won first place in the Best Developed Arms division.[17][18] At the peak of his wrestling career in 1977, Coleman weighed 275 lbs. From 1978, he gained more weight and in 1980, at 325 lbs, he took part in the World's Strongest Man competition in Great Gorge, New Jersey. He finished seventh in this contest in spite of injuring himself in one of the events.[2] On December 6 of the same year, Coleman hosted the U.S. Invitational Powerlifting Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.[19]
Professional wrestling career
Early years (1969–1972)
In 1969, Coleman was encouraged by football player and occasional professional wrestler
In late December, Graham went north to join Roy Shire's NWA San Francisco promotion, working with
American Wrestling Association (1972–1975)
During his time with the AWA, Graham feuded with Gagne, The Crusher, The Bruiser, Wahoo McDaniel, Billy Robinson, Ken Patera and Ivan Koloff, the latter becoming his tag-team partner.[2] By this time, Graham was integrating into his performances not only arm wrestling contests but also weightlifting challenges (mainly involving ex-Olympian Ken Patera) and posing routines.[25] One of his most memorable and violent feuds was against McDaniel, with whom he wrestled numerous bouts between 1973 and 1974.[26]
In September and October 1974, Graham took leave from the AWA to join the
World Wide Wrestling Federation and return to NWA (1975–1976)
Graham made his in–ring debut in the
A brief contract with the NWA in
Return to WWWF (1977–1978)
Graham defeated
Graham eventually lost the title to
Return to NWA and hiatus (1978–1982)
Disillusioned by the loss of his belt,[34] Graham left the WWWF in December 1978 and accepted an offer to join Paul Boesch's promotion in Houston, Texas, lending himself out for other NWA events in California and Florida as well.[2] In April 1979, he embarked on his third IWA tour of Japan. On October 8, Graham became the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) World Champion, defeating Pat McGuinness. On November 8, Graham lost the belt to Jerry Lawler in Lexington, Kentucky.[35]
Graham wrestled only three matches (one in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and two in Los Angeles) in 1981, and was reported to have died on November 8.[36] However, that report was false and started by Dusty Rhodes as a joke.[15] In 1982, he spent some time competing in Japan and the United States, adding some martial arts techniques to his repertoire.[18]
Second return to WWF (1982–1983)
Graham returned to the now-renamed World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in August 1982. He debuted in the promotion with an entirely new look: leaner, with a bald head and mustache, and sporting black karate pants.[15] Graham later stated that he wanted to retire the "Superstar" character out of frustration with Vince McMahon Sr. for not letting him become a fan favorite.[37] After his return, he attacked Backlund, destroying his championship belt.[18] He challenged Backlund for the WWF Championship, but was unable to win the title and left the promotion in April 1983.[15][18]
Return to AWA and third return to NWA (1983–1986)
Graham signed up with the AWA again in October 1983, and by the following year, he had regained his earlier body weight. In April 1984, he began his NWA run with Championship Wrestling from Florida, first as a member of Kevin Sullivan's Army of Darkness and later as the group's opponent after he was tired of Sullivan's abuse of his valet, The Lock, and stopped Sullivan from beating her at ringside.[15][failed verification] In November, Graham joined Jim Crockett Promotions (Mid-Atlantic Wrestling) in North Carolina, working for Paul Jones in his feud against Jimmy Valiant.[citation needed] It was during this stint, in the summer of 1985, that Graham bulked up further, and returned to his tie-dyed look, growing a full goatee and dyeing the mustache blond.[15]
Third return to the WWF (1986–1989)
Graham returned to the WWF one more time in June[
Fourth return to WWE (2004–2009)
On March 14, 2004, Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004, the night before WrestleMania XX, by then-World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, whom Graham had helped inspire to become a professional wrestler.[2] Graham later sold his WWE Hall of Fame ring to purchase anti-rejection medications to help treat his liver transplant.[39]
Several months later, Graham joined WWE on a swing of nine televised events where he was interviewed by
Fifth return to WWE (2015–2023)
In November 2015, Graham announced that he had signed a legends contract (a long-term deal to make infrequent, non-wrestling appearances) in a Facebook post.[44] He signed a renewed five-year contract in 2021.[45]
Legacy
Speaking of his legacy, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter wrote: "If it wasn't for Billy Graham, this industry would be so much different than it is."[46] Roberta Morgan's 1979 kayfabe book Main Event stated, "Although he is a rule bender, [Graham] has managed to stay very popular with the fans, probably because of his skill, strength, and colorful personality". As a headliner in Madison Square Garden, the WWF's primary arena throughout his tenure, Graham sold out 19 shows.[47]
Many wrestlers have based their looks and styles on Billy Graham. Some examples are
Graham often lectured young athletes on the dangers of steroids.[10][22] His autobiography, Tangled Ropes, was released by WWE on January 10, 2006.[2] WWE also released a DVD about Graham's career, titled 20 Years Too Soon: The "Superstar" Billy Graham Story.[2] Graham had a new DVD released in 2013 through Seriocity Productions titled "Superstar" Billy Graham: Full Disclosure.[48]
Disputes with the McMahons
In the early 1990s, U.S. federal agents were investigating Dr.
Graham went on a public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of steroids during this time, including an appearance with McMahon on The Phil Donahue Show in 1992. During the Donahue taping, Graham claimed to have witnessed WWF officials sexually abuse children.[52] McMahon claimed the abuse had never taken place, and Graham later admitted that he made up the allegations, hoping to extort "hush money" out of the WWF.[43] In his autobiography, Graham describes making the allegations as being "my most shameful moment, not only in the wrestling profession, but in my life".[6] Graham wrote an apology to McMahon but received no response until his 2002 liver transplant.[43]
Five years after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Graham was released from his consultancy position in WWE. He sold his Hall of Fame ring on eBay to help pay for medical bills[39] and requested that he be entirely removed from the Hall of Fame after Abdullah the Butcher was inducted, complaining that Abdullah had never wrestled in the promotion.[53]
Graham spoke out against
In July 2015, Graham sent a letter to Vince McMahon requesting to take the position of Dusty Rhodes, who had recently died, at NXT. Graham received criticism from fans due to his timing and opportunism. He defended himself, calling his critics "evil subhumans", and compared a possible reconciliation with McMahon to that of long-time WWE critic Bruno Sammartino, who reconciled with McMahon and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2013.[55]
Personal life
Family
As stated in his autobiography Tangled Ropes, Graham and his wife Valerie Belkas, whom he married in 1978, were never able to have children. Graham has two children from a previous marriage to Madelyn Miluso; he was also married to Shirley Potts.[56][4] His daughter Capella was born on June 8, 1972.[56] She was named after a star he read about in the Atlas of the Universe.[56] His son Joey was born on March 18, 1975.[57] Joey was born with double pneumonia and an enlarged heart, which was later surgically corrected.[57] Joey's godfather was wrestler Dusty Rhodes.[57]
Health issues
After contracting hepatitis C,[7] Graham received a liver transplant in 2002 from a 26-year-old female donor, who had died in a car crash.[58] He had cirrhosis at the time of his transplant. Graham was again hospitalized on May 24, 2006, due to a bowel obstruction from an earlier surgery.[2]
In July 2010, Graham was hospitalized due to liver problems.
On January 17, 2013, Graham was hospitalized with double pneumonia and possible heart failure.[59] He was re-hospitalized for a liver complication in October 2014.[3]
On August 2, 2016, Graham was hospitalized while undergoing a medical procedure due to internal bleeding; he underwent surgery the next day to identify the cause of the issues.[60]
In June 2022, it was announced that he needed to have his toes amputated.[61]
Death
Graham was hospitalized in January 2023 as a result of an ear and skull infection that had left him deaf.[62] By April, his condition had worsened; he had lost 80 pounds and was being treated for kidney, heart and lung problems.[63] He died of sepsis and multiple organ failure on May 17, 2023, three weeks short of his 80th birthday, after having been placed on life support earlier that week.[4]
Championships and accomplishments
- 50th State Big Time Wrestling
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- Continental Wrestling Association
- 1 time)[35]
- International Pro Wrestling
- 1 time)[70]
- NWA Big Time Wrestling
- NWA San Francisco
- Pat Patterson[73]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1973)[74]
- Match of the Year (1977) vs. Bruno Sammartino on April 30[75]
- Match of the Year (1978) vs. Bob Backlund on February 20[75]
- Ranked No. 277 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
- Pro Wrestling This Week
- Wrestler of the Week (June 1–6, 1987)[76]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Class of 2009[77]
- World (Wide) Wrestling Federation / Entertainment
- WWWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[31]
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)[1]
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- Hulk Hogan Real American Award (1987)[78]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Most Washed Up Wrestler(1982)
- Best Pro Wrestling Book (2006) with Keith Greenberg
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)[79]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Billy Graham bio". WWE. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Billy Graham". May 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Gryboski, Michael (October 10, 2014). "Retired Pro-Wrestler 'Superstar' Billy Graham Released From Hospital". Christian Post. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Sumner, Ben (May 18, 2023). "Wayne Coleman, wrestling's 'Superstar' Billy Graham, dies at 79". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "WWE Hall of Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham passes away". WWE. May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-1416524403.
- ^ a b c d e Sandomir, Richard (May 19, 2023). "Superstar Billy Graham, Model of the Buff, Blond Wrestler, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-1554902842.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, p. 15.
- ^ a b c Mooneyham, Mike (April 8, 1997). ""Superstar" Billy Graham Turned Life Around". The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, p. 20.
- ^ a b "Wayne Coleman". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ "Interesting Cast of Characters". The Modesto Bee. July 21, 1967. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Former Mr. America Bids For Stampeder Job". Calgary Herald. June 28, 1968. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the originalon March 9, 2005. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, p. 54.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, p. 165.
- ^ ISBN 0-8317-3912-6.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, pp. 231–2.
- ^ Pratt, Gregory (March 31, 2011). "Superstar Billy Graham made it big in wrestling -- now the steroids that got him there may be killing him". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Wrestling card on January 16, 1970". Superstarbillygraham.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Slagle, Steve. ""Superstar" Billy Graham". Professional Wrestling Online Museum. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ Tangled Ropes, p. 87.
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- ^ Tangled Ropes, pp. 151–4.
- ^ Zordani, Jim. "Regional Territories: AWA". Kayfabe Memories. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
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- ^ a b "WWE World Heavyweight Championship - Superstar Billy Graham". WWE. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
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- ^ Interview in 20 Years Too Soon: The Superstar Billy Graham Story, WWE DVD, 2005.
- ^ a b c d Leatherman, Benjamin (May 18, 2023). "Phoenix native and WWE legend 'Superstar' Billy Graham has died". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Billy Graham's 1981 matches". Superstarbillygraham.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Superstar Billy Graham interview". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
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- ^ a b Powell, Jason (July 15, 2009). "WWE legend selling his Hall of Fame ring on eBay". ProWrestling.net. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Raw results – February 28, 2005". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 31, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Raw results – October 3, 2005". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 25, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Raw results – January 23, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Pratt, Gregory (March 31, 2011). "Superstar Billy Graham Made It Big in Wrestling – Now the Steroids That Got Him There May Be Killing Him". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Harp, Justin (November 5, 2015). "Superstar Billy Graham returns to the WWE with Legends Contract". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- WrestleView. Archived from the originalon November 30, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Nason, Josh (May 17, 2023). "'Superstar' Billy Graham passes away at 79". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Mitchell, Houston (May 18, 2023). "Wrestling's 'Superstar' Billy Graham, the template for Hulk Hogan, dies at 79". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- WrestleView. Archived from the originalon May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Doctor Sentenced to Prison For Selling Steroids to Wrestlers". AP News. December 27, 1991. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "USA v. McMahon, et al :: New York Eastern District Court :: Criminal Case No. 9:93-cr-01276, Judge Jacob Mishler presiding". Plainsite.org. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- WrestleView. Archived from the originalon December 8, 2004. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ^ Blangger, Tim (March 30, 1992). "Tv Guests Say Boy Molested At Pro-wrestling". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- )
- ^ Keating, Christopher (November 18, 2009). "Former Wrestler Takes On Mcmahon". Hartford Courant. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- Christian Post. Archived from the originalon September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c Tangled Ropes, p. 125.
- ^ a b c Tangled Ropes, p. 160–161.
- ^ a b Mooneyham, Mike (December 5, 2010). "Superstar Graham says end is near". The Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (January 18, 2013). "Superstar Graham Very Ill". PWInsider.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ Chiari, Mike. "Superstar Billy Graham undergoes surgery to fix bleeding". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ McGeorge, Alistair (June 20, 2022). "WWE legend 'Superstar' Billy Graham needs toes amputated due to infection". Metro. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (May 17, 2023). "Wrestling Legend 'Superstar' Billy Graham Reportedly Dead at 79". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Chasan, Aliza (May 15, 2023). "Doctors want to take WWE legend "Superstar" Billy Graham off life support, wife refuses". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ Superstar Billy Graham.com Hawaii State Title win
- ^ "Hawaii Heavyweight Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "IWA World Heavyweight Title (Japan)". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ISSN 1043-7576.
- ^ ISSN 1043-7576.
- Atlanta, Georgia. Syndicated. WATL.
- ^ Howard, Gary. ""Superstar" Billy Graham". Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
- ^ "Slammy Awards: A look back". WWE. November 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ^ "Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- "Superstar" Billy Graham on WWE.com
- Superstar Billy Graham at IMDb
- Just Sports Stats
- "Superstar" Billy Graham's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database