275 lbs (125 kg) “I said, ‘He is lying.'”. Your email address will not be published. “I saw the bloodstains on the walls and the mats when I walked in,” Graham said about his first look at the Dungeon. He had told Backlund and others of the decision to give Backlund the title. Wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham posted a message criticizing the Undertaker's performance at WWE SuperShowdown, saying Goldberg was lucky to leave the match … Retired June 20: WWE Money In the Bank, > Archives Mr. America contest in New York, where his enormous 22 inch biceps (which as a wrestling gimmick he dubbed his "pythons" and "guns") won first place in the Best Developed Arms division. But if anyone knows what it takes to be an ultimate survivor, it's Superstar Billy Graham. Scott Steiner, Hulk Hogan and even Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura have mentioned Billy Graham, nicknamed Superstar, as a major influence in their wrestling persona. As times were changing, wrestling fans were also making Graham a popular figure on their own — even Roberta Morgan's 1979 kayfabe book Main Event had to admit that, "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" — but the era of explicit and intentional "cool heels" did not come until the 1990s with the likes of the New World Order (nWo), D-Generation X, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock. As an award-winning bodybuilder, he was a training partner and close friend of … McMahon Sr. planned two years ahead to eventually give the title to Backlund. The surgery was real. Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the World Heavyweight Championship on April 30, 1977, in Baltimore, Maryland. His own personal problems with his life and steroids were the main reason for the absence of another World title reign. Graham even had to sell his Hall of Fame ring to help pay … He had a shaved head and martial arts pants. Graham's last wrestling match, also against Butch Reed and at 44 years of age, actually took place on November 7, 1987, in St Louis, Missouri. “I became bitter at that point, and after the ankle surgery,” Graham said. The WWE Hall of famer went on social media and trashed the WWE championship match between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35. Superstar Billy Graham made an incredible impression on the wrestling world. It was physically difficult.”. Over the next year, in between bouts of surgery, Graham worked for the WWF as a commentator. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WWF Superstar Billy Graham vs Butch Reed Nov 1987. As a teenager he was an avid reader of bodybuilding magazines, his idols being Steve Reeves and John Grimek. McMahon Sr. had a different idea. “I was such in a state of rage,” Graham said after watching Hogan’s appearance. Superstar Billy Graham and Dusty Rhodes beat Horst Hoffman and Baron Von Raschke in a loaded glove match May 12, 1975 Fort Worth, TX Superstar Billy Graham drew Mad Dog Vachon. “He had no fat and looked like he was holding regulation footballs in his arms,” Stu Hart recalled to SLAM! I was so pleased to see Superstar Billy Graham is still alive & healthy. Graham even puts his own pictures, notes, interviews (including an upcoming Terry Funk interview) and commentating (his take on Scott Steiner was recently uploaded). In Syracuse NY on October 27 (Thanksgiving Day) One Man Gang supposedly retired him from active competition permanently with a running splash on the concrete floor after Graham's win over Reed. Superstar Billy Graham Inactive Also known as Billy Graham, Wayne Coleman His absence started rumours in the Philadelphia Enquirer that he had passed away. He sold out 19 of 20 New York City’s Madison Square Garden main events he headlined, a percentage not met by any other wrestler in WWWF or WWF history. Some of his proteges have included wrestling megastar Hulk Hogan, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura and the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. “I worked as a bouncer and other odd jobs,” Graham recalled for SLAM! The Internet is a great source for publicity, especially with a person trying to sell his new book. The WWF used the real surgery and recovery in an angle. Rhodes himself, a long-time friend of Graham's, would recall these bloodbath matches with the Superstar in 1978 as among the most exciting and memorable of his career. Graham admitted that Dusty Rhodes started that rumour as a joke. According to wrestling lore, not only would this delay the expansion and transformation of the WWF until the mid-1980s "Hulkamania" era, but it would also have negative personal consequences for the man who had raked in such momentous earnings for the WWWF. Superstar Billy Graham. In between football engagements he worked as a bouncer in various nightclubs in Phoenix, New York and Los Angeles. Wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham posted a message criticizing the Undertaker's performance at WWE SuperShowdown, saying Goldberg was lucky to leave the match in … “I hated working against Verne Gagne because of his old school style of wrestling, and I was not a wrestler,” Graham said about his stay with the AWA. As a schoolboy Wayne showed talent at drawing and design and developed a lifelong interest in fine art. Bruno Sammartino had ruled the WWWF for fifteen years, and McMahon Sr. was looking for a man to give him a run for his money. Very Good Condition, 8 pages. The match was rated 1976 "Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. After a few appearances, it was diagnosed in August that he required a hip replacement. He played professional football for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes suiting up for 5 games in 1968. Billy Graham, Actor: WWWF Championship Wrestling. Superstar Billy Graham featured with other AWA performers in the 1973 movie The Wrestler, starring Ed Asner. Superstar Billy Graham's very last wrestling match, also against Butch Reed and at 44 years of age, actually took place on November 7, 1987, in St Louis, MO. Born However, Wayne Coleman has paid a very heavy price for the years of steroid abuse that enabled him to become “Superstar” Billy Graham. May 15: Impact Under Siege There was a temporary revival of activity in January 1982 with his fourth tour of Japan. He debuted in the promotion with entirely new look: lean, with a bald head and mustache, and sporting black karate pants. “He was the most impressive specimen I’ve seen in my life.”. In what will probably be Graham s last public arm wrestling match, he was cheated by his friend Hannibal in a restaurant. Graham worked huge stadium shows with the group, but he never got the push he felt he deserved. His wife Valerie took to Facebook to break the sad news. Billed from Graham wanted back in the ring, mainly for the money. He then retired from the sport. Graham was his choice. Fans watch Pat Patterson every week on WWF RAW, but too few know Patterson’s rich wrestling history that dates back to the 1960s. Billy Graham: lumberjack match: WWF World Heavyweight Title: WWF MSG Show (Nov '82) … Steroids may have killed his health, but his memory in wrestling will be immortal. He was previously married to Madelyn Miluso. “I was starting to have trouble with my hip in 1985,” Graham said. The medicine wore off, and Graham knew it was not just a pulled muscle that was giving him pain. > Obituary Archive He blames steroids. It was in his epic and bloody duels with the happy-go-lucky unchiseled heavyweight Dusty Rhodes, the humble plumber's son alias "The American Dream", that Superstar's classical persona was at its most spectacular. Superstar Billy Graham's very last wrestling match, also against Butch Reed and at 44 years of age, actually took place on November 7, 1987, in St Louis, MO. He was a track and field star in high school, and he was training for the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. His first gimmick was more of a toughman. Superstar Billy Graham defeated Barry Horowitz via submission at 1:40 with a bearhug August 6, 1987 Greenbay, WI Superstar Billy Graham (sub. He had a bloody feud with Dusty Rhodes, but then Graham was gone. Eldridge Wayne Coleman (June 7, 1943) is an American fine artist and retired professional wrestler. > Movies & TV It was also unheard of for a counter-cultural character like Graham to be a fan favorite, because McMahon and many old promoters saw Graham as a confirmed heel and therefore a negative role model. He wrote them both letters, and he hopes his upcoming autobiography will help. In September and October 1974 Graham took leave from the AWA to join the IWA's "Super Wide Series" tour of Japan, where he fought such local stars as Mighty Inoue, Animal Hamaguchi and Rusher Kimura. A pen and paper is all he needs. These sensational battles displayed better than any others Graham's other major contribution to the evolution of American pro wrestling: the radical way he changed the narrative or story line of the spectacle. Punk was a face for 246 days and a heel for 188 days). Toys Chris Schramm brought a "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" attitude to the site, and loved looking back in time for profiles. Superstar Billy Graham became an overnight sensation in the AWA because of his long bleached-blond hair, the flamboyant, colorful ring attire, his witty braggadocio and improvised rhymes (partly inspired by Muhammad Ali) but above all for his remarkable build, the likes of which had not yet been seen in professional wrestling. At the same time a young amateur wrestler was being pushed by the name of Bob Backlund. In April 1979 he embarked on his third IWA tour of Japan, where he wrestled the same men he had worked with in 1974. Paradise Valley, Arizona - Superstar Billy Graham beat Angelo Mosca in an arm wrestling match refereed by Nick Bockwinkel. Eldridge Wayne Coleman (born June 7, 1943) is a retired American professional wrestler. He's been ranting about it on Facebook for over a week and like a car crash, I just can't look away. WWWF World Champion Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino in a steel cage match at 7:43, when Bruno kicked Billy thru the cage door. He gained recognition for his tenure as the WWWF Heavyweight Champion in 1977–1978. His habit of incorporating feats of strength into his sermons made him very popular with youth congregations. Hulk Hogan paid homage to elements of this look, with his villainous "Hollywood Hogan" character in World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s (as did Scott Steiner with his "Big Poppa Pump" character around the same period). I was impressed with his strength,” Hart recalled of his brush with the Superstar. He followed with some unsuccessful lawsuits with steroids distributors and the WWF that he later called mistakes. The Graham name helped sell out arenas still, but Graham was sitting on a gimmick that was not working for him. “I got burnt out. It was around 1965 that Graham was first introduced to steroids. Though other wrestlers such as Sammartino and Backlund had more career sellouts at Madison Square Garden, Graham's 95% percentage is easily the highest in company history. Find out why "Superstar" Billy Graham isn't a fan of the title match. He was never a real fan of wrestling. The drugs were legal at the time. Trainer His autobiography is set to be released in November or December of this year. He wanted to have a feud with Ivan Koloff, the WWWF’s biggest heel wrestler, and Graham believed that would get him over greatly with the fans. Graham signed up with the AWA again in October 1983, wrestling mainly in the Mid West. It is a return match of the previous contest was held about a month ago here in Madison Square Garden. The match is on three WWE DVDs which are The History of the WWE Championship, 20 Years Too Soon – The ”Superstar” Billy Graham Story, and the WWE Hall of Fame 2004. He won the title, and he lost the title in the same manner: with his leg on the ropes. http://www.SeriocityProductions.comSEPT 1st 2012"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner is a former World Champion who has wrestled for major companies worldwide. Steve Slagle’s fan page is now the official page because he was so amazed by the thoroughness and look of the page. May 16: WWE WrestleMania Backlash searching for Superstar Billy Graham 18 found (495 total) alternate case: superstar Billy Graham. In 1969, Coleman was encouraged by professional wrestler Bob Lueck to train with Stu Hart for the latter's Stampede Wrestling promotion. Billy Graham was born on September 10, 1943 in Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA as Eldridge Wayne Coleman. “I was more methodical. Anyone who could beat the Superstar would win $1,000. We only know what she said in her update at this time. He is an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WWF Superstars (1986). He watched it back in the 1950s, but he never thought of getting involved in the sport. As a wrestler he weight-trained continuously, and in 1975 prepared for the WBBG (World Body Building Guild) Pro. 60 minute time limit draw May 13, 1975 Moline Horst Hoffman and Baron Von Raschke beat Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham (no dq match) May 14, 1975 Omaha, NE Stu HartPeter Maivia McMahon Sr. made what some say was a mistake. Sammartino’s strength and similar style really helped Graham-Sammartino matches go very smoothly. MACW - … Bullrope Match (Special Referee: Chief Jay Strongbow): Dusty Rhodes defeats Superstar Billy Graham (6:28) WWWF on MSG Network - TV-Show @ Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, USA 17 Graham had no idea who he was getting involved with when Stu Hart invited him to train in the infamous Dungeon. Graham had a titanium hip placed on his right hip. When Graham did lose the title to Backlund eventually in early 1978, Graham was very discouraged with the sport. One of Coleman's photo shoots with Schwarzenegger featured that year in Joe Weider's Muscle Fitness magazine. 60 minute time limit draw May 13, 1975 Moline Horst Hoffman and Baron Von Raschke beat Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham (no dq match) May 14, 1975 Omaha, NE He left the promotion in May 1983. That was in April of 1977 in Baltimore. The Official Superstar Billy Graham Home Page (www.SuperstarBillyGraham.com) has everything you can possibly know about the legendary wrestler. But it was the interesting way in which the crowd reacted that made Graham an innovator. - Superstar Billy Graham beat Angelo Mosca. Graham wrestled only two matches (one in Canada and one in Los Angeles) in the whole of 1981. Managing Don Muraco, commentating and wrestling a few matches was all that was left in wrestling for Graham. This was August 1, … Verne Gagne saw the power and ability of Graham and decided to get Graham to work for the AWA out of Minneapolis. Although a defeat by Bob Backlund, who was to embody the virtuous junior "all-American" wrestler, had been written into Graham's current contract with the WWWF, Graham suggested another outcome to Vincent J. McMahon: that Ivan Koloff should turn on him, thus starting a feud that would make Graham a fan favorite. The site for this match is Philadelphia’s Spectrum on September 17th. Dusty Rhodes was the booker for the NWA at the time, and he invited Graham to work for them for a while. He left the AWA and returned to the NWA in May, 1975, signing up with Red Bastien's Dallas-based promotion for five months and taking the local "Brass Knucks" title from Mad Dog Vachon on August 8. He moved to Los Angeles, but he could never find a steady job. For most of October that year, Graham worked for the Mid Atlantic promotion in North Carolina, standing in for Ric Flair, who had just been injured in a plane crash. Ring names Another major feud at this time was with Polish muscleman Ivan Putski. After returning to America, Graham and Koloff made an unsuccessful attempt to launch their own wrestling promotion in Southern California. Graham was honoured to have started with Stu Hart, whom Graham still stays in contact with. I went back to Phoenix and I became a recluse.”. During his reign, the new champion wrestled across America and even in Japan (February, 1978), facing well-known challengers such as former champion Bruno Sammartino, Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes, Pedro Morales, Don Muraco, Mil Mascaras, Strong Kobayashi and Riki Chōshū. Superstar Billy Graham was a wrestling icon whose superhero physique and oratory prowess made him a popular draw in the mid-to-late ’70s. Commentator: Gorilla Monsoon. You had accomplished technical wrestlers and brawny brutes before him, but nobody with the style and flair of Superstar Billy Graham. I am working my way back to Phoenix where I will immediately report to … By this time the former champion had an emaciated look, having lost a lot of weight and suffering the negative side-effects of his former steroid use. His father, of English descent, was from Mississippi, and his mother, of mixed German and Cherokee ancestry, was from Arkansas. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Superstar Billy Graham. Superstar Billy GrahamBilly GrahamWayne Coleman July 25, 1987 – Superstars: Superstar Billy Graham defeated Steve Lombardi. Graham was still the champion and, as clearly shown by the crowd reaction, despised by the fans. Eldridge Wayne Coleman (born June 7, 1943), better known by his ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham, is an American former professional wrestler. > Video, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Authors hope collectibles book breaks new ground. Superstar's origins, and his struggle with addiction & faith were inspiring. It was during this stint, in the summer of 1985, that that Graham bulked up further, and returned to his tie-dyed look, growing a full goatee and dyeing the mustache blond. Graham returned to the now renamed World Wrestling Federation in September 1982. He recently passed on the recommendation to have his other ankle fused. WWWF, 1977 – Having lost the WWWF Championship to Graham earlier that year, “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino was out for revenge. Another of Graham's opponents during this time frame was Ric Drasin, a bodybuilder and wrestler who was one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's weight training partners. MATCHES: Colosso Colosetti vs Johnny Rivera; The Butcher vs Victor Rivera; Outlaw Bass vs Rick McGraw; AMERICAS' TITLE VS HAIR MATCH: The Masked Canadian (Roddy Piper) vs Hector Guerrero; WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE MATCH: Ringo Mendoza vs El Faraon; WWWF TITLE MATCH: Billy "Superstar" Graham vs Chavo … Superstar Billy Graham defeats The Barbarian by DQ (3:02) NWA Starrcade 1985 - "The Gathering" (Halle 2) - Pay Per View @ Omni Coliseum in Atlanta, Georgia, USA 70 WWE sanctioned literature such as Graham's biography has frequently cited the elder McMahon's decision to press ahead with Backlund's planned title reign, as a conservative move. Debut He immediately was thrown into a feud with Backlund, but the World title that Backlund held was never to come back to him. The dangers were not very well known at the time. Graham has been cited – particularly by McMahon's son and heir Vincent K. McMahon – as a pioneer far ahead of his time. His innovative style has been liberally borrowed for the last 25 years by the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Triple H, and many more. He really enjoyed Mick Foley and Dynamite Kid’s autobiographies and hopes to be as full and thorough with his book. Vince McMahon Jr. promised Billy Graham that there was always a job for him with the WWF. Hart knew Graham had a future. The last match was with Butch Reed in Madison Square Garden. 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 provocative posing routines. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Two artificial hips and a fused ankle might be all Graham will take. On 2/18/78, in a steel cage match, then WWWF champion "Superstar" Billy Graham put his belt on the line against former champion "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino. > Gaming superstar graham vs jobber in tv match taped in may 1977. all video owned by wwe entertainment. While talking about Pat Patterson’s death, WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham talked about the scandal Patterson was involved in almost 30 years ago. Superstar Billy Graham and Dusty Rhodes beat Horst Hoffman and Baron Von Raschke in a loaded glove match May 12, 1975 Fort Worth, TX Superstar Billy Graham drew Mad Dog Vachon. As an award-winning bodybuilder he was also a training partner of former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is godfather to Graham's daughter). His following NWA engagements in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas became fewer and rarer until he stopped wrestling in April 1980. Graham and Patterson teamed to defeat Ray Stevens and Peter Maivia (The Rock’s grandfather) for the NWA Tag Team titles in July of 1971 in San Francisco. Billy Graham was interested in creating a web page to help with the promotion of his book when he discovered a fan page. He returned in mid-1987 and worked a heavy schedule from mid July to late October, notably feuding with Harley Race and Butch Reed. Abdullah The Butcher has never wrestled in the world famous arena WWE has always refers to as “The Mecca of Professional Wrestling.” PHOENIX AZ – Sports – Wresting Superstar Billy Graham’s last request is to be removed from the WWE Hall of Fame. Both before and during his championship, photos and articles about Superstar Billy Graham appeared frequently in The Wrestler, Wrestling Review, Inside Wrestling and other popular American wrestling magazines distributed all over the world. Managing Don Muraco, commentating and wrestling a few matches was all that was left in wrestling for Graham. He remembered Sky High Lee when he was growing up. In this new scenario the paradoxical "heel champion" required the charismatic quality of beauty as well as extraordinary strength and courage, hence the need to look his best and to cultivate a lawless style of fighting. We only know what she said in June 6: NWA When Our Shadows Fall Graham started a smear campaign against the WWF. The popularity of the big rookie with the hippie gimmick was such that his photograph made the front cover of the January 1971 issue of The Wrestler magazine, with the caption "Billy Graham: He talks peace but raises hell!" "Superstar" Billy Graham is one of the most colorful personalities in sports-entertainment history and a Hall of Famer. On last night’s SmackDown, Big E and Xavier Woods of The New Day were able to win a Tag Team Gauntlet Match that gave Kofi Kingston ... Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham … Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. A brief contract with the NWA in Houston, Texas followed from June to August, 1976, after which Superstar Billy Graham, now at the peak of his muscularity, went on his second tour of Japan, this time accompanied by Ivan Koloff. > Music The Grand Wizard now already superstar Billy Graham for his match. “Long before Mick Foley,” Billy Graham said. “I began to tell the world about the dangers of steroids, the pain, suffering I was having because of use and talking about the people who use it.”. “I felt this was for me,” Graham recalled about his first days there. Graham become the first major “tweener” for the WWWF, and his model was the same way in which stars like Steve Austin and Degeneration X were split. Graham did not complain about the crowds and money that came with his stay, but the coldness of the north really got to the Arizona native. Graham would eventually turn on Jones, grow in a full goatee, and return to the tye-dye flamboyant “Superstar” Billy Graham. WWE Hall Of Fame "Superstar" Billy Graham has been hospitalized. Superstar Billy Graham was inducted into the WWE hall of fame in 2004, the night before Wrestlemania XX by one of the people he had inspired to become a professional wrestler, Triple H. Today, Billy Graham remains part of the WWE family, having recently signed a legends deal in November 2015. This first stint with the promotion continued until June 1976 and included several spectacular and highly publicized battles with Sammartino in Madison Square Garden. The fabled "Superstar" physique was a paradox, counterbalancing a massive musculature with height and leanness, resulting in the imposing spectacle of brute strength and sheer power combined with lightness, grace and speed. July 15, 1987 – Superstars: Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bob Bradley. This was two weeks after Superstar Graham and Bruno Sammartino appeared on Entertainment Tonight, expounding the dangers of anabolic steroids. Later, while wrestling in Championship Wrestling from Florida, the name would serve both as his ring name and to make him the (kayfabe) youngest brother of Jerry and the other Graham Brothers (Eddie and Luke). An iconic figure in professional wrestling, he worked under the ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham and gained renown for his tenure as the World Wide / World Wrestling Federation champion in 1977-78. Resides The unforgettable post-championship battles with Rhodes were a virtual swan song for the "Superstar". Graham returned to the WWF one more time in June 1986, now as a fan favorite. Graham bleeds buckets in this match. Graham knew the day would come 10 months later to lose the title, but Graham had a very successful run. Unfortunately, Superstar Billy Graham is the latter. His first connection to wrestling came, though, while he was working in California during late 1969. May 29: AEW Double or Nothing 17 pages filled with stories, results and photos of Bugsy McGraw, Freddie Blassie, Ivan Putski write up and large centerfold photo. This gimmick was not considered successful, and Graham later stated that he wanted to retire the "Superstar" character out of frustration with Vince McMahon Sr. for not letting him turn babyface. Graham moved to Florida to work for Kevin Sullivan, and then moved onto work for the NWA and the Crocketts. > Career Records His work in this period included occasional visits to St Louis, Missouri, where he took on NWA champion Harley Race. Ian Rotten (496 words) no match in snippet view article find links to article promotion IWA: Mid-South. A true classic WWWF match from Madison Square Garden from October 1977. On October 2, 1972, Billy Graham premiered in Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA) based in Minneapolis, and it was here that he took on the moniker "Superstar". He left the AWA for one reason — the cold. They make you feel you can never be hurt.”. Superstar Billy Graham Changed Everything. Graham has had numerous surgeries in the last few years to the point where there seems no end. No, this isn’t the match where Graham took the title. Last Run in the WWF: Summer 1987: Billy Graham once again jumped to the World Wrestling Federation for one last run. The WWF announced that Graham was scheduled to wrestle in the main event in the first-ever Survivor Series, but Muraco took his place since Graham had now retired. Graham, along with many other wrestlers, was not sure if giving the title to Backlund so soon was the right decision. Pro Wrestling is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. With the aesthetic priorities he had already imported from art and bodybuilding, Graham instituted a new kind of battle: physical perfection and unbridled daring challenging ordinary brawn and cautious fair play. He has been married to Valerie since July 1, 1978. Graham, who was an established wrestler across the world, asked Coleman to become “a brother.” Wayne Coleman then took the name Billy Graham based off Jerry Graham’s last name and the famous evangelist Billy Graham. He ridiculed Vince McMahon for allowing Dr. George T. Zahorian to sell steroids to wrestlers. Match of the Year (1978) vs. Superstar Billy Graham on February 20; Match of the Year (1982) vs. Jimmy Snuka in a steel cage match on June 28; Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1994) Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1977, 1981) Rookie of the Year (1976) Wrestler of the Year (1980, 1982) The WWF announced that Graham was scheduled to wrestle in the main event in the first-ever Survivor Series, but Muraco took his place since Graham had now retired. Coleman was a shot put champion in high school and dabbled in amateur and professional boxing, participating in the 1959 Golden Gloves, before getting into football. Height Graham, who was an established wrestler across the world, asked Coleman to become “a brother.” Wayne Coleman then took the name Billy Graham based off Jerry Graham’s last name and the famous evangelist Billy Graham. One of Graham's most renowned feuds as champion was with Dusty Rhodes, which culminated in a Texas Bullrope match, and his confrontations with Rhodes continued after Graham had been forced to drop the belt to Backlund. No matter how evil, how much of a rulebreaker he was, the crowds were booing and cheering him at the same time. I cried just a little. Superstar Billy Graham posing with the world title in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. His hip socket was in amazing pain forcing Graham to undergo a $30,000 operation for the hip injury. He was quickly accepted by the fans and by the wrestlers. Bruno was dominating Graham. NY Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff vs Pete Sanchez, Francisco Florez January 9, 1976 Albany, NY Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Koloff, Ernie Ladd beat Tony Parisi, Louis Cerdan, Domenic Denucci Highlights of this Japanese run fan favorite web page to help with the decision to leave a. 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