With an in-ring career running from the early 1970s to the late 1980s, “Superstar” Billy Graham was a tremendously popular talent in 1970s pro wrestling. Not only was he a charismatic performer and capable of amazing promos, but he also had an outstanding physique, which set him apart from other performers of the period. In the years since, he not only influenced stars like Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura, but also changed what a professional wrestler was supposed to look like.
While he’s mostly known these days for his tendency to post controversial opinions online about wrestling, Billy Graham is a star worth knowing about. Let’s take a look at some backstage stories about Superstar Billy Graham.
10 Bodybuilding Background
To a modern fan, Billy Graham’s physique looks like the standard wrestler body, but as alluded to, it was actually something new to the wrestling world at the time, and is a result of Graham’s bodybuilding background. As a boy, Graham — born Eldridge Coleman — developed an interest in bodybuilding, and took part in competitions as a teenager. Even after debuting in pro wrestling, Graham continued to pursue his initial passions, taking part in bodybuilding and strongman competitions while also competing in wrestling.
9 Steroid Abuse
Unfortunately, Billy Graham was also a pioneer in steroid abuse, an issue that has plagued wrestling for decades. Graham has stated on record that even before he started wrestling, he was using steroids since the 1960s — back when it was legal, although no one was aware of the long-term side effects, being a relatively new drug. Graham has also taken credit for being one of the first wrestlers to bring steroids into the sport.
8 The Origin Of His Ring Name
After training with the legendary Stu Hart, Billy Graham’s in-ring debut happened as part of Stampede Wrestling in 1970. However, he was not yet known as Billy Graham, but rather worked as “Wayne Coleman.” Soon enough, he would return to the United States, where he would adopt his famous moniker.
While wrestling with Dr. Jerry Graham in Championship Wrestling from Florida, he would become Billy, the kayfabe brother of Jerry, Eddie, and Luke Graham. On top of that, the name was a reference to the evangelist Billy Graham, who the wrestler admired, having been a dedicated Christian since he was a teenager.
7 His WWE Championship Run Was Part Of An Agreement
While Graham was wrestling for CWF, the promotion made a deal with Vince McMahon Sr.’s WWE — back then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation — for Superstar Billy Graham to capture the WWE Championship. In 1977 Graham dethroned Champion Bruno Sammartino, ending a near-four-year reign. But the deal also stipulated that Graham was to eventually drop the title to babyface Bob Backlund, a booking decision that some consider a misstep, given who popular Graham was during his 296-day reign.
6 Pitched A Babyface Turn
Given Billy Graham’s popularity while WWE Champion, one would expect the character to turn babyface, as fans would see years later with figures like Randy Savage and The Rock. Graham agreed, and even pitched to Vince Sr. that a betrayal at the hands of fellow heel and former WWE Champion Ivan Koloff would facilitate Graham’s transition to babyface status. McMahon, however, was set on pushing the clean-cut Backlund as the top face, and didn’t see Graham as a hero, as babyfaces of the era were typically more squeaky-clean.
5 Hard Times After WWE
Losing the WWE Championship didn’t just kill Graham’s momentum as a performer — it also left Graham legitimately disillusioned with the wrestling business. While wrestling sporadically, Graham found himself living in hotels, losing all the money he made wrestling, and dealing with drug addictions. Eventually Graham had to resort to physical labor not related to wrestling, and his sudden disappearance from the wrestling world gave fuel to the occasional rumor that he had died.
4 Returning To Wrestling With A New Look
The year 1982 saw Billy Graham wrestling more, with Vince McMahon Jr. ultimately inviting him to return to WWE. Graham’s return would happen in May of 1982, with the former champion debuting a new, unexpected look with a shaved head and a black karate gi.
While still being a heel, this “new” Billy Graham made numerous unsuccessful attempts at winning back the WWE Championship from Bob Backlund throughout 1982 and 1983, but failed to gain much traction and was gone within a year of returning.
3 Hip Problems
Following his departure from WWE, Billy Graham had stints in the American Wrestling Association and various NWA territories before being brought back to WWE in 1985. His return saw him reverting to his classic tye-dyed classic look and eventually turning babyface. But steroids had taken a toll on his body, and his hip was in bad shape. After returning to WWE, he suffered an injury during a squash match and needed a hip replacement. Upon returning from surgery, however, he suffered more injuries and settled into a role as a manager and commentator.
2 Anti-Steroids Spokesman
After departing WWE in the late 1980s, Billy Graham started to actively speak out against steroid abuse, giving talks and making appearances on talk shows. During many of these appearances, he would openly criticize WWE, which was experiencing its own steroid scandal that would lead to Vince McMahon Jr. going to trial in 1994. At the time, Graham himself sued WWE over steroids, but his years of steroid use before entering WWE resulted in the suit being unsuccessful.
1 Wanted Out Of The Hall Of Fame
Despite his real-life feud with the company, Billy Graham and WWE would patch things up, with Graham being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. However, seven years later, he publicly demanded to be taken out of the Hall of Fame in 2011 due to the induction of Abdullah The Butcher. Graham’s beef with Abdullah The Butcher stemmed from Butcher’s alleged spreading of Hepatitis C among wrestlers due to questionable blading practices. In response, Abdullah The Butcher expressed disappointment in Billy Graham’s comments, given that he helped Graham out in the Superstar’s younger days.