Billy Graham (wrestler)

Eldridge Wayne Coleman, best known by his stage name 'Superstar' Billy Graham (born September 10, 1943), is an American professional wrestler. He selected his ring name as a tribute to the famous evangelist Billy Graham, at one of whose revival meetings Coleman converted to Christianity. He was one of the first pro wrestlers to become popular 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.

Career

A former football player and bodybuilder, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the World-Wide Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) 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 (as he had with Graham's previous persona, Hulk Hogan would borrow elements of this look, this time into his evil "Hollywood Hogan" character in the 1990s).

Related Topics:
Football - Bruno Sammartino - World-Wide Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) - April 30 - 1977 - Bob Backlund - February 20 - 1978 - 1982 - Bald - Martial arts

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Again, Graham would unsuccessfully challenge Backlund, but in one memorable incident he would destroy Backlund's championship belt ringside while Backlund wrestled.

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Graham spent some time in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions working for Paul Jones in his feud against Jimmy Valiant.

Related Topics:
NWA - Jim Crockett Promotions - Paul Jones - Jimmy Valiant

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After retiring, he became a born-again Christian and travelled in the United States telling young people of the dangers of his previous lifestyle.

Related Topics:
Born-again Christian - United States

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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.

Related Topics:
WWE Hall of Fame - WrestleMania XX - 2004 - Steroid - High school

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