Pro Wrestling Legend “Superstar” Billy Graham Passed Away At Age 79
Yesterday, May 17, 2023, wrestling great “Superstar” Billy Graham passed away at 79, just a few weeks before his 80th birthday. He was surrounded by his wife, Valerie Graham, and daughter, Capella when he was ultimately taken off life support. For years, Billy Graham had been dealing with health problems. In January, Billy Graham was hospitalized for an ear and skull infection. A few months later, his condition worsened, and he was getting treated for kidney, heart, and lung problems. He lost 80 pounds while being hospitalized. He recently lost hearing in both ears as well. The doctors wanted to take him off life support a few days back, but his wife refused to do it.
The news of “Superstar” Billy Graham’s death shocked many pro wrestling fans. Many of them on social media expressed his colossal impact on sports entertainment. Billy Graham was the first popular heel in the New York territory. His flashy fashion style, over-the-top interviews, and bodybuilder physique created the archetype for a generation of WWE Superstars following his footsteps. Pro wrestling great Ric Flair acknowledged that Billy Graham influenced him and broke the news of his death on Twitter. He tweeted:
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us 🙏🏻 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career!”
Hulk Hogan On Superstar Billy Graham’s Death:
“Superstar Billy Graham was the guy who inspired me to step into the ring and a true legend in our industry. His strength, charisma, and larger-than-life persona left an indelible mark on the wrestling world. Today, we say goodbye to a legend. Rest in peace, Superstar Billy Graham.”
Pro wrestling manager and promoter Paul Heyman also shared a heartfelt message on Twitter: “Before Billy Graham, WWWF / WWF/ WWE performers were known as professional wrestlers. After Billy Graham left his mark, Vincent Kennedy McMahon decided everyone would be a WWE Superstar. A most heartfelt RIP to the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!”
He was born Eldridge Wayne Coleman into a working-class family in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 7, 1943. His father was from Mississippi, and his mother, who claimed Cherokee ancestry, was from Arkansas. Eldridge Coleman was attracted to weightlifting in the fifth grade. He was an award-winning bodybuilder, a training partner, and a close friend of Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. He played football with the Oilers and the Raiders.
Eldridge Coleman took the name of the famous evangelist Billy Graham when he became a professional wrestler in 1969 and debuted in early 1970. At 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, with a 56-inch chest and 22-inch biceps he dubbed “pythons,” he gained the attention of wrestling fans. In his interviews, he emulated boxing icon Muhammad Ali, coining the iconic line, “I’m the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!” Alongside his equally outlandish manager, The Grand Wizard, Billy Graham spouted that kind of poetic prose weekly on television. He used his gift of gab to make himself a box-office attraction. As a headliner in Madison Square Garden, the WWWF’s primary arena throughout his tenure, Billy Graham sold out 19 of 20 shows.
To make himself more innovative, Billy Graham dyed his hair and goatee different colors and honed a distinctive look that featured outlandish earrings, skintight T-shirts, and long, colorful tie-dyed tights. Finally, on April 30, 1977, Billy Graham defeated the late great Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in Baltimore, Maryland. During his nearly-year reign as world champion, he successfully defended his championship against wrestling legends like Dusty Rhodes, Gorilla Monsoon, and “High Chief” Peter Maivia before being controversially dethroned by Bob Backlund when his leg was on the rope during the pinfall. Disillusioned by losing his world title, Billy Graham left the WWWF in December 1978.
“Billy was the most influential wrestler of the 1970s,” wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer, author of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, said. “He was the prototype of the Hulk Hogan character, the Jesse Ventura character, but so many others like Dusty Rhodes copied his interview style and colorful dress, and they were the guys who carried the business. Even Chael Sonnen in MMA would directly copy his interviews.”
“Superstar” Billy Graham returned to the WWF for one last run in 1986. Still, a hip replacement surgery eventually got the better of him, so Billy Graham retired from active professional wrestling in late 1987 and became a color commentator before leaving the company in 1989. During his time away from pro wrestling, he traveled the world and lectured about the dangers of steroid abuse.
In 2004, “Superstar” Billy Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by “The Game” Triple H. Two years later, Billy Graham’s inspirational story and influence on the sports-entertainment industry were featured in the WWE documentary called 20 Years Too Soon: The ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham Story.
“Superstar” Billy Graham would be remembered as the blueprint for many sports-entertainment legends. His unique blend of standout style, sculpted body, and in-ring dominance laid the foundation for future stars like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Scott Steiner. Billy Graham was the first wrestling heel to be a fan favorite, which was revolutionary then. It was also unheard of for a counter-cultural character like “Superstar” Billy Graham to be a fan favorite because many old promoters saw him as a confirmed heel and, therefore, a negative role model.
My deepest condolences to “Superstar” Billy Graham’s family, friends, and fans. God bless!
