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.

Profile

• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• Weight: 275 lbs.
• Birthday: September 10, 1943
• Hometown: Paradise Valley, Arizona
• Trainer: Stu Hart
• Managers: Paul Jones, Jimmy Hart, Kevin Sullivan, Adnan El Kassey, Oliver Humperdink
• Quote: "I eat T-bone steaks, I lift barbell plates, I'm sweeter than a German chocolate cake. I'm the reflection of perfection, the number one selection. I'm the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour. The ladies' pet, the men's regret, where what you see is what you get, and what you don't see, is better yet."

Titles/Accomplishments

• 1-Time WWWF World Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time NWA World Tag Team Champion (San Francisco version) (with Pat Patterson)
• 1-Time IWA Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time Hawaiian Heavyweight Champion
• 2-Time Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
• 1-Time NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
• 1-Time NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (with Ox Baker)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 277 of the best 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
• Graham also won three PWI Awards over the years. He won Most Hated in 1973 and Match of the Year in 1977 (vs. Bruno Sammartino) and 1978 (vs. Bob Backlund).

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