WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend “Superstar” Billy Graham has died. He was 79.
The news was confirmed by fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair, who tweeted a tribute to the beloved titan of the ring.
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us,” Flair wrote. “Thank You For All Your Influence On My Career!”
Graham — whose real name was Eldridge Wayne Coleman — died on Wednesday when he was taken off life support after several days, TMZ reports. His family revealed on Monday that he’d been hospitalized and in the ICU for several weeks while battling an unspecified illness.
The outlet reports that Graham’s wife and daughter were with him by his side in the hospital when he died.
Before finding his calling in professional wrestling, Graham was a bodybuilder and played in the Canadian Football League until he began his career in the American Wrestling Association in the 1960s,...
The news was confirmed by fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair, who tweeted a tribute to the beloved titan of the ring.
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us,” Flair wrote. “Thank You For All Your Influence On My Career!”
Graham — whose real name was Eldridge Wayne Coleman — died on Wednesday when he was taken off life support after several days, TMZ reports. His family revealed on Monday that he’d been hospitalized and in the ICU for several weeks while battling an unspecified illness.
The outlet reports that Graham’s wife and daughter were with him by his side in the hospital when he died.
Before finding his calling in professional wrestling, Graham was a bodybuilder and played in the Canadian Football League until he began his career in the American Wrestling Association in the 1960s,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Superstar Billy Graham, the professional wrestler whose larger-than-life ring persona and charismatic style was hugely influential on the likes of Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Jesse Ventura and Ric Flair, has died. He was 79.
In a tweet, Flair confirmed that Graham had died. “The Superstar Billy Graham just left us. Thank you for all your influence on my career!” Flair tweeted. No cause of death was provided but Graham had been suffering poor health for a number of years and was hospitalized in February.
Born Eldridge Wayne Coleman in Phoenix, Arizona in 1943, Graham began bodybuilding at an early age. After dabbling in boxing and pro football, he had his first taste of notoriety when he was featured in a Muscle and Fitness magazine spread with then-fellow bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 1969, he decided to enter the world of professional wrestling, and adopted the ring name Billy Graham, as a tribute to the...
In a tweet, Flair confirmed that Graham had died. “The Superstar Billy Graham just left us. Thank you for all your influence on my career!” Flair tweeted. No cause of death was provided but Graham had been suffering poor health for a number of years and was hospitalized in February.
Born Eldridge Wayne Coleman in Phoenix, Arizona in 1943, Graham began bodybuilding at an early age. After dabbling in boxing and pro football, he had his first taste of notoriety when he was featured in a Muscle and Fitness magazine spread with then-fellow bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 1969, he decided to enter the world of professional wrestling, and adopted the ring name Billy Graham, as a tribute to the...
- 5/18/2023
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pro wrestling legend “Superstar” Billy Graham died Wednesday at 79. No cause was given, but he had been battling ill health for some time and had been hospitalized in the ICU on life support.
Graham, real name Eldridge Wayne Coleman, was a three-time former world champion professional wrestler, including a 1977-78 title run in the Wwwf, which eventually became the WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
His wife, Valerie, posted Monday morning on Graham’s Facebook account that she had refused to remove his life support.
His colleagues mourned his loss, but saluted his legacy.
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left US,” wrestling colleague Ric Flair tweeted. “Thank You For All Your Influence on My Career!”
“Superstar Billy Graham. One Of My First Teachers Of The Heat,” the Iron Shiek tweeted. “The Real Legend Bubba. He Love Me I Love Him. Together We Hit The Gym And Shock The Earth.
Graham, real name Eldridge Wayne Coleman, was a three-time former world champion professional wrestler, including a 1977-78 title run in the Wwwf, which eventually became the WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
His wife, Valerie, posted Monday morning on Graham’s Facebook account that she had refused to remove his life support.
His colleagues mourned his loss, but saluted his legacy.
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left US,” wrestling colleague Ric Flair tweeted. “Thank You For All Your Influence on My Career!”
“Superstar Billy Graham. One Of My First Teachers Of The Heat,” the Iron Shiek tweeted. “The Real Legend Bubba. He Love Me I Love Him. Together We Hit The Gym And Shock The Earth.
- 5/18/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Eldridge Wayne Coleman, a professional wrestler better known to millions as WWE legend “Superstar” Billy Graham, died Wednesday of undisclosed causes. He was 79, and had reportedly been battling a number of health issues.
The news was made public by fellow pro-wrestling legend Ric Flair, and confirmed by Dave Meltzer, a reporter for the Wrestling Observer, later confirmed the news.
The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us,” Flair wrote. “Thank You For All Your Influence On My Career!”
I am so sad. My entire life, and tons of others from Flair to Hogan to Jesse to tons you wouldn't know and tons you would changed because of him. Valerie, I just wish you the best, you're a saint and more people than you know are aware of it. https://t.co/xr48yzf20G
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) May 18, 2023
Graham’s wife Valerie wrote on Facebook earlier this week her husband had...
The news was made public by fellow pro-wrestling legend Ric Flair, and confirmed by Dave Meltzer, a reporter for the Wrestling Observer, later confirmed the news.
The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us,” Flair wrote. “Thank You For All Your Influence On My Career!”
I am so sad. My entire life, and tons of others from Flair to Hogan to Jesse to tons you wouldn't know and tons you would changed because of him. Valerie, I just wish you the best, you're a saint and more people than you know are aware of it. https://t.co/xr48yzf20G
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) May 18, 2023
Graham’s wife Valerie wrote on Facebook earlier this week her husband had...
- 5/18/2023
- by Mason Bissada
- The Wrap
Ivan Koloff, aka The Russian Bear who wrestled to fame for years as a supreme villain, has died. Rick Flair posted the news Saturday morning. The 74-year-old Koloff had been battling liver cancer. Koloff was a former Wwwf World Heavyweight champion who fought the likes of Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Billy Graham and Bob Backlund. He was especially big in the 80's as Ronald Reagan challenged Russia on the world stage. The news comes just 1 day...
- 2/18/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
WWE.com
Can you believe it’s been just over a year since Kevin Owens made his WWE debut as part of Nxt?
On December 11th 2014, Owens’ first assignment was the Nxt: TakeOver: R Evolution live special, where he put in an impressive display against Cj Parker in the opening bout before brutally assaulting newly crowned Nxt Champion Sami Zayn to close the show.
Owens had well and truly arrived, and so impressive was his Nxt work during his first few months that by the following May he’d been fast-tracked up to the main roster, where he’d go on to beat John Cena Clean in his full-WWE debut bout at the Elimination Chamber WWE Network special.
While he’s mainly been shuffling around the midcard since that point – another victim of WWE’s counter-productive 50-50 booking strategy – he’s still getting fantastic crowd reactions and really winning...
Can you believe it’s been just over a year since Kevin Owens made his WWE debut as part of Nxt?
On December 11th 2014, Owens’ first assignment was the Nxt: TakeOver: R Evolution live special, where he put in an impressive display against Cj Parker in the opening bout before brutally assaulting newly crowned Nxt Champion Sami Zayn to close the show.
Owens had well and truly arrived, and so impressive was his Nxt work during his first few months that by the following May he’d been fast-tracked up to the main roster, where he’d go on to beat John Cena Clean in his full-WWE debut bout at the Elimination Chamber WWE Network special.
While he’s mainly been shuffling around the midcard since that point – another victim of WWE’s counter-productive 50-50 booking strategy – he’s still getting fantastic crowd reactions and really winning...
- 2/12/2016
- by Nick Sellers
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com
Superstar Billy Graham has said that Triple H has big plans for Kevin Owens.
Writing on his facebook, Superstar revealed a telephone conversation he had with Hunter back in October. Apparently The Game said “We love Kevin Owens and have big plans for him. We think he will be the future heel for our company.”
Graham also expressed his own belief that Owens is going to be a big star. Such endorsements have to be encouraging for K.O, who has seen his career meander from big push to mid-card filler.
However, you do have to question the validity of Superstar Billy Graham’s phone call with Triple H, given that the colourful veteran has a history of making up stories. He’s a little like Hulk Hogan in that respect, he’ll say things that aren’t always the exact truth. Then again, you only need to...
Superstar Billy Graham has said that Triple H has big plans for Kevin Owens.
Writing on his facebook, Superstar revealed a telephone conversation he had with Hunter back in October. Apparently The Game said “We love Kevin Owens and have big plans for him. We think he will be the future heel for our company.”
Graham also expressed his own belief that Owens is going to be a big star. Such endorsements have to be encouraging for K.O, who has seen his career meander from big push to mid-card filler.
However, you do have to question the validity of Superstar Billy Graham’s phone call with Triple H, given that the colourful veteran has a history of making up stories. He’s a little like Hulk Hogan in that respect, he’ll say things that aren’t always the exact truth. Then again, you only need to...
- 2/9/2016
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
In his rise to global dominance in the world of sports-entertainment, Vince McMahon encountered many challengers and many opponents. Opponents that wanted nothing more than to knock the promoter off his self-made mountain.
Whether McMahon’s enemies grew as a result of a business relationship gone sour or as the target of a competitor, the narrative goes that Vince McMahon has conquered all. While there are some exceptions to that story, there’s almost nobody who has taken on Vinnie Mac without regretting it.
We’ll not even stop to consider the figurative squash matches he’s had; it takes two to have a rivalry and former foes like Lex Luger, Jeff Jarrett and Nailz just didn’t have the leverage or resources to keep a feud up with Vince. Others took McMahon to court like Rena Mero (aka Sable), her husband Brock Lesnar (though on separate, unrelated cases), and Superstar Billy Graham,...
In his rise to global dominance in the world of sports-entertainment, Vince McMahon encountered many challengers and many opponents. Opponents that wanted nothing more than to knock the promoter off his self-made mountain.
Whether McMahon’s enemies grew as a result of a business relationship gone sour or as the target of a competitor, the narrative goes that Vince McMahon has conquered all. While there are some exceptions to that story, there’s almost nobody who has taken on Vinnie Mac without regretting it.
We’ll not even stop to consider the figurative squash matches he’s had; it takes two to have a rivalry and former foes like Lex Luger, Jeff Jarrett and Nailz just didn’t have the leverage or resources to keep a feud up with Vince. Others took McMahon to court like Rena Mero (aka Sable), her husband Brock Lesnar (though on separate, unrelated cases), and Superstar Billy Graham,...
- 12/22/2015
- by Matt Davis
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
With each passing year, focus grows stronger on the WWE Hall Of Fame. Officially introduced in 1993, mainly to honour the late, great Andre The Giant (who had passed away just months before), the then-wwf proceeded to hold ceremonies on the same weekend as the King Of The Ring in 1994 and 1995. A one-off event just before the 1996 Survivor Series was the last wrestling fans would see of the Hall Of Fame for close to 8 years, before it came back for good the night before WrestleMania Xx in 2004.
Nowadays, the WWE Hall Of Fame is a WrestleMania tradition, and the whole week of festivities the company line up for their biggest show of the calendar year simply wouldn’t feel complete without it. The idea of an internal Hall Of Fame has been bashed by many, including 2004 inductee ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham, but on the whole, people get excited by the...
With each passing year, focus grows stronger on the WWE Hall Of Fame. Officially introduced in 1993, mainly to honour the late, great Andre The Giant (who had passed away just months before), the then-wwf proceeded to hold ceremonies on the same weekend as the King Of The Ring in 1994 and 1995. A one-off event just before the 1996 Survivor Series was the last wrestling fans would see of the Hall Of Fame for close to 8 years, before it came back for good the night before WrestleMania Xx in 2004.
Nowadays, the WWE Hall Of Fame is a WrestleMania tradition, and the whole week of festivities the company line up for their biggest show of the calendar year simply wouldn’t feel complete without it. The idea of an internal Hall Of Fame has been bashed by many, including 2004 inductee ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham, but on the whole, people get excited by the...
- 6/24/2015
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
“Superstar” Billy Graham’s flamboyant stylings and over-the-top catch phrases are infamous. It can easily be argued that Graham was ahead of his time — a precursor to the modern era of wrestling, where talking and jiving are equally as important as what happens inside the squared circle. The Superstar laid the way for stars like Hulk Hogan and The Rock through his copious catch phrases and picturesque physique.
Sadly, however, the “Superstar” paid the price for his astronomical success in professional wrestling. In the past decade and a half, the Graham’s health has rapidly fluctuated. He’s had numerous operations and been diagnosed with a plethora of problems — from heart problems to liver cirrhosis to Hepatitis C.
Now, according to a post made by Graham on Facebook, things have gone from bad to worse. The “Superstar” claims that doctors have told him that his liver — which he...
“Superstar” Billy Graham’s flamboyant stylings and over-the-top catch phrases are infamous. It can easily be argued that Graham was ahead of his time — a precursor to the modern era of wrestling, where talking and jiving are equally as important as what happens inside the squared circle. The Superstar laid the way for stars like Hulk Hogan and The Rock through his copious catch phrases and picturesque physique.
Sadly, however, the “Superstar” paid the price for his astronomical success in professional wrestling. In the past decade and a half, the Graham’s health has rapidly fluctuated. He’s had numerous operations and been diagnosed with a plethora of problems — from heart problems to liver cirrhosis to Hepatitis C.
Now, according to a post made by Graham on Facebook, things have gone from bad to worse. The “Superstar” claims that doctors have told him that his liver — which he...
- 8/26/2014
- by Douglas Scarpa
- Obsessed with Film
http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=20&offset=20&redirs=0&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns14=1&search=scott+steiner
Scott Steiner is one of the most physically imposing men to ever step inside the squared circle. The former Ncaa Division 1 All American wrestler broke into the business in 1986 under the tutelage of Vince McMahon’s favorite wrestler, Dr, Jerry Graham. His athleticism, physique and innovative style quickly got him noticed and it wasn’t long before he was headed for much bigger things.
After gaining some experience in the territories, he and his brother Rick formed one of the greatest tag teams of all-time. The Steiner Brothers are 11 time World Tag Team Champions and have had classic matches around the world in nearly every major company. However, Scott is perhaps best known for his singles run in the late 90s as Big Poppa Pump.
With a look inspired by Superstar Billy Graham,...
Scott Steiner is one of the most physically imposing men to ever step inside the squared circle. The former Ncaa Division 1 All American wrestler broke into the business in 1986 under the tutelage of Vince McMahon’s favorite wrestler, Dr, Jerry Graham. His athleticism, physique and innovative style quickly got him noticed and it wasn’t long before he was headed for much bigger things.
After gaining some experience in the territories, he and his brother Rick formed one of the greatest tag teams of all-time. The Steiner Brothers are 11 time World Tag Team Champions and have had classic matches around the world in nearly every major company. However, Scott is perhaps best known for his singles run in the late 90s as Big Poppa Pump.
With a look inspired by Superstar Billy Graham,...
- 3/12/2014
- by Brad Hamilton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
I’ve heard it said that somewhere between science and superstition, there is another world. A world of darkness.
It’s a world that haunted my dreams as a child, from the first time I saw Kevin Sullivan and his Army of Darkness spreading their eerily twisted messages across the Nwa.
“Our cause is not for evil,” said Sullivan during an interview for Championship Wrestling from Florida in 1982. “Because all we’re looking for is refuge from this cold, cruel world.”
Ring a bell?
Sullivan’s dark mystique, his messianic charisma, his penchant for dark riddles — they all seem to have been resurrected in the form of Bray Wyatt.
Take, for instance, these words recently delivered by the leader of the Wyatt Family to nemesis John Cena:
“This is a terrible world,” Wyatt drawled. “A cold, cold dark and lonely place. You stand for these illusions. But...
I’ve heard it said that somewhere between science and superstition, there is another world. A world of darkness.
It’s a world that haunted my dreams as a child, from the first time I saw Kevin Sullivan and his Army of Darkness spreading their eerily twisted messages across the Nwa.
“Our cause is not for evil,” said Sullivan during an interview for Championship Wrestling from Florida in 1982. “Because all we’re looking for is refuge from this cold, cruel world.”
Ring a bell?
Sullivan’s dark mystique, his messianic charisma, his penchant for dark riddles — they all seem to have been resurrected in the form of Bray Wyatt.
Take, for instance, these words recently delivered by the leader of the Wyatt Family to nemesis John Cena:
“This is a terrible world,” Wyatt drawled. “A cold, cold dark and lonely place. You stand for these illusions. But...
- 3/6/2014
- by Marshall Ward
- Obsessed with Film
The Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden is an interesting release from WWE and it’s nice to see them going into the massive video library at their disposal and putting together a compilation of matches and segments that is a little different to the usual things they put out.
The DVD is on three discs and the Blu-ray, which I will be reviewing, is on two discs. The quality of the picture improves as the matches progress, with earlier matches from the 1970’s being a mixed bag in quality of sound, picture and match content. We see early matches with the likes of Bruno Sammartino, The Iron Sheik, Bob Backlund and Billy Graham which vary in terms of entertainment value but are good to see as a history lesson. The Sheik/Slaughter boot-camp brawl is a fun watch but I imagine many of today’s casual wrestling fans...
The DVD is on three discs and the Blu-ray, which I will be reviewing, is on two discs. The quality of the picture improves as the matches progress, with earlier matches from the 1970’s being a mixed bag in quality of sound, picture and match content. We see early matches with the likes of Bruno Sammartino, The Iron Sheik, Bob Backlund and Billy Graham which vary in terms of entertainment value but are good to see as a history lesson. The Sheik/Slaughter boot-camp brawl is a fun watch but I imagine many of today’s casual wrestling fans...
- 9/6/2013
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
Cm Punk is the current WWE Champion. He demands the respect that the title should naturally present to him from his colleagues and the audience. The audience doesn’t like being told who they should and shouldn’t respect. Cm Punk gets booed by the audience. Cm Punk is a heel; the latest in a long line of heel WWE Champions.
The heel’s sole goal is to draw immense heat from the crowd – the better the heel, the more volatile a reaction (although Cm Punk should probably realise that actually attacking fans could cause more trouble than it’s worth). The heel champion stands for a lot of characteristics, but fundamentally, he must win at all costs, use his championship advantage, and p*** everybody off doing it.
In the following article I look to pinpoint the very best of the very bad, and provide a comprehensive list of those greatest heel WWE Champions.
The heel’s sole goal is to draw immense heat from the crowd – the better the heel, the more volatile a reaction (although Cm Punk should probably realise that actually attacking fans could cause more trouble than it’s worth). The heel champion stands for a lot of characteristics, but fundamentally, he must win at all costs, use his championship advantage, and p*** everybody off doing it.
In the following article I look to pinpoint the very best of the very bad, and provide a comprehensive list of those greatest heel WWE Champions.
- 10/12/2012
- by Callum Wiggins
- Obsessed with Film
Last night’s WWE Raw results from the Bmo Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary. Lawler takes his headset off and enters the ring to address Cm Punk.
He says at the end of the Raw 1000 he misspoke about the WWE Champion. He apologised to Punk last week but this week, he is the one who wants an apology.
WWE Champion comes out and can’t believe that Lawler wants an apology for Punk simply doing his job. He says he didn’t turn his back on anybody and beat the crap on The Rock because he deserved it. Punk says Lawler turned his back on WWE when he slandered the champ. Punk says he kicked Lawler in his stupid head last week because of his lack of respect.
Punk says that is what he does is, he takes down those who disrespect him.
Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler are on commentary. Lawler takes his headset off and enters the ring to address Cm Punk.
He says at the end of the Raw 1000 he misspoke about the WWE Champion. He apologised to Punk last week but this week, he is the one who wants an apology.
WWE Champion comes out and can’t believe that Lawler wants an apology for Punk simply doing his job. He says he didn’t turn his back on anybody and beat the crap on The Rock because he deserved it. Punk says Lawler turned his back on WWE when he slandered the champ. Punk says he kicked Lawler in his stupid head last week because of his lack of respect.
Punk says that is what he does is, he takes down those who disrespect him.
- 8/28/2012
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
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