Athletes - "Superstar" Billy Graham

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	Athletes - "Superstar" Billy Graham

Eldridge Wayne Coleman, better known by his ring name, "Superstar" Billy Graham, is a retired American professional wrestler.

Graham was one of the first professional wrestlers to achieve popularity principally on the basis of his character rather than his wrestling skills, paving the way for wrestlers like Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, and, particularly, Hulk Hogan, who were all heavily influenced by Graham's career. He had a physique that was far superior to anyone in pro wrestling, his 22 inch arms were called "pythons". His look and his personality sold out arenas across America.

Career

A former football player and bodybuilder, Coleman selected his ring name as a tribute to the famous evangelist Billy Graham, at one of whose revival meetings he converted to Christianity, and also as a means of relating him to the earlier Graham Brothers (Eddie Graham and Dr. Jerry Graham). Sometimes he was simply referred to as Superstar Graham to avoid confusion with the Reverend.

Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWF Championship on April 30, 1977. When other heels had won the WWWF/WWF title, they had almost immediately lost it thereafter, serving only as a conduit between face reigns. Graham, though without question a "rulebreaker", had undeniable energy, charisma, and appeal to fans; thus he retained the title for almost a year, including in several rematches with Sammartino.

Graham suggested to the late Vincent J. McMahon that Ivan Koloff should turn on him, thus starting a feud that would make Graham a babyface. McMahon Sr. refused because of a handshake deal to make Backlund the new babyface champ. He did not want to go back on his word.

Graham is the only man to sell out Madison Square Garden 19 out of 20 times. His only non sellout was against High Chief Peter Maivia. It would have been his 20th sellout in a row but it fell short by 1000 seats. No other wrestler or entertainer has been able to achieve this mark.

He eventually lost the title to Bob Backlund on February 20, 1978. Superstar Graham competed in the 1980 world's strongest man competition and finished 7th despite being injured in one of the events.

Superstar Billy Graham 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 ripoff elements of this look, this time into his evil "Hollywood Hogan" character in the 1990s). Graham was billed as a "leaner, meaner Superstar."

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

Graham spent some time in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions working for Paul Jones in his feud against Jimmy Valiant. And Graham spent some time in the AWA's promotion, working with Wahoo McDaniels and Ken Patera.

Graham returned to the WWF one more time, now as a face. He feuded with Butch Reed for a few months. One Man Gang retired him from active competition permanently when Gang attacked him during a match against Reed. Don Muraco came to Graham's aide, and the Superstar became The Magnificent One's manager.

In 1991, at the height of Vince McMahon's steroid allegations, Billy Graham went on the Phil Donahue show and revealed to the world that he was an avid user of steroids and went on a tirade on Vince McMahon about it. Billy Graham also testified against Vince when the steroid allegations became a federal trial after Vince was caught up by the federal government in a possibility that he was distributing steroids to his wrestlers. This caused a rift between McMahon and Billy Graham that would last for over 10 years before Billy Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame.

After retiring, he returned to his faith in God and started preaching the gospel as he had before his wrestling career started.

Graham received a liver transplant in 2002 from a 26 year old donor named Katie Gilroy who lost her life in a tragic auto accident. He admits he wouldn't be alive today without the transplant.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for "Superstar" Billy Graham ]

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