Billy Graham (wrestler)
|
|
Superstar_Billy_Graham.jpg
Billy Graham is a professional wrestler, commonly known as 'Superstar' Billy Graham. His real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman, and was born September 10, 1943. He selected his ring name as a tribute to the famous evangelist Billy Graham, at whose revival meeting Coleman converted to Christianity. He was one of the first pro wrestlers to really make it big based primarily on his charisma, paving the way for wrestlers like Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, and particularly Hulk Hogan to do the same years later with ring personnae heavily influenced by the two distinct phases of Graham's career.
| Contents |
Profile
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 275 lbs.
- Birthday: September 10, 1943
- Hometown: Paradise Valley, Arizona
- Trainer: Stu Hart
- Managers: Paul Jones, Jimmy Hart, Kevin Sullivan, Adnan El Kassey, Oliver Humperdink
Career
A former football player and bodybuilder, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the World-Wide Wrestling Federation (now WWE) Championship on April 30, 1977, and lost the title to Bob Backlund on February 20, 1978. He would return to the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 with an entirely new look: gone were the long bleached-blonde locks and colorful clothes; now replaced with a bald head, all-black outfit, deep suntan, and a newfound knowledge of the martial arts. (Hulk Hogan would copy elements of this look into his "Hollywood Hogan" character in the 1990s.)
Again, Graham would unsuccesfully challenge Backlund, but in one memorable incident he would destroy Backlund's championship belt ringside while Backlund wrestled.
Graham spent some time in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions working for Paul Jones in his feud against Jimmy Valiant.
After retiring, he became a born-again Christian and travelled in the United States telling young people of the dangers of his previous lifestyle.
Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at WrestleMania XX in 2004. His body now ravaged from years of steroid use, Graham now lectures high school athletes on the dangers of steroids.
Titles/Accomplishments
- 1-Time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time NWA World Tag Team Champion (San Francisco version) (with Pat Patterson)
- 1-Time IWA Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time Hawaiian Heavyweight Champion
- 2-Time Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 1-Time Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time Florida Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time Florida Tag Team Champion (with Ox Baker)
| Preceded by: Bruno Sammartino | WWE Champions | Succeeded by: Bob Backlund |
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 277 of the best 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- Graham also won three PWI Awards over the years. He won Most Hated in 1973 and Match of the Year in 1977 (vs. Bruno Sammartino) and 1978 (vs. Bob Backlund).
External link
- Superstar Billy Graham.com (http://www.superstarbillygraham.com/) Official Website