“Superstar” Billy Graham was a wrestler and bodybuilder whose over-the-top style was influential on the development of professional wrestling.
- Died: May 17, 2023 (Who else died on May 17?)
- Details of death: Died after battling multiple health issues at the age of 79.
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“Superstar” Billy Graham’s legacy
Born Eldridge Wayne Coleman, Graham took on his ring name when he began wrestling. But that didn’t come until after his success as a bodybuilder. Bench pressing 605 pounds – close to the then-record of 616 pounds – Graham befriended fellow bodybuilders including Arnold Schwarzenegger. He soon decided to bring his bodybuilder’s physique to pro wrestling, taking his ring name in tribute to Rev. Billy Graham (1918–2018), the famous evangelist.
Graham worked his way up from regional promotions to the 1977 heavyweight championship of the World Wide Wrestling Federation, which would later become the World Wrestling Federation and then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). As his popularity increased, his style became influential – heavily muscled, with bleached blond hair and a flair for showmanship, with funny, rhyming patter in interviews. Graham’s charisma was a driving force behind the WWE’s development into the entertainment spectacle it became in the 1980s. Pro wrestling greats, including Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Ric Flair, were influenced by Graham’s style.
Graham was embroiled in controversy as one of the early pro wrestlers to use steroids. He later spoke out about the dangers of steroids. In 2004, Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Notable quote
“I lift barbell plates. I eat T-bone steaks. I’m sweeter than a German chocolate cake. How much more of me can you take?” —an example of Graham’s promotional patter
Tributes to “Superstar” Billy Graham
Full obituary: Wrestling Inc.
