WWE “Superstar” Bill Graham passes away at age 79.
According to WWE, Billy Graham served as the model for a generation of superstars with his flamboyant personal appearance, outrageous interviews, and bodybuilder physique.
Billy Graham, a “Superstar” in the WWE Hall of Fame, passed away at age 79, the company reported. “WWE is heartbroken to learn of the passing of ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. Former WWE Champion Graham “created the archetype for a generation of Superstars that followed in his footsteps with his flashy fashion sense, outrageous interviews, and bodybuilder physique,” WWE stated in a statement.
Graham, an Arizona native, developed a love for the sport of bodybuilding and made his own weights out of cement to start shaping his body. He put in so much work in the gym that he was ultimately able to bench press 605 pounds, which is only 11 pounds less than the world record. When one of Graham’s picture sessions with Arnold Schwarzenegger was highlighted in Joe Weider’s “Muscle and Fitness” magazine, he experienced his first taste of stardom.
WWE “Superstar” Bill Graham
In 1970, the person who was born Eldridge Wayne Coleman changed his name to Billy Graham in honour of the preacher and entered the sports entertainment sector. When he joined the AWA in 1972, he adopted the moniker “Superstar”. He became known as a pioneer of the genre thanks to his bodybuilder’s physique and ring prowess. In addition, Graham kept taking part in bodybuilding and strongman events, where he received praise for his chiselled and shredded 22-inch biceps.
Graham started speaking in interviews in the style of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, coining the catchphrase “I’m the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!” This type of beautiful verbiage was regularly said on television by Graham and The Grand Wizard, his similarly bizarre manager. Graham used his knack for gab to establish himself as a box office draw who would sell out every stadium he headlined.
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Graham developed a unique style that included eccentric earrings, skintight T-shirts, and long, vibrant tie-dyed tights in order to stick out even more. He also coloured his hair and beard different colours. The WWE Hall of Famer’s distinctive look, well-sculpted physique, and supremacy in the ring served as the model for later stars like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, and others.
On April 30, 1977, Graham pulled off an almost unimaginable feat by knocking Bruno Sammartino off his perch as WWE Champion. This was Graham’s greatest WWE accomplishment. Before being controversially deposed by Bob Backlund, Superstar held the championship for over a year, successfully defending sports entertainment’s top honour against legends like Dusty Rhodes, Gorilla Monsoon, and “High Chief” Peter Maivia.
Graham left the ring in 1987 at the age of 44 and worked as a manager before becoming a colour analyst.
In 2004, Triple H presented “superstar” Billy Graham with his induction into the WW E Hall of Fame. Two years later, the WW E documentary “20 Years Too Soon: The ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham Story” highlighted Graham’s motivational tale and impact on the sports entertainment business.