Pro wrestling legend Billy Graham died on Wednesday at the age of 79. Although no reason was given, he had been hospitalized in the ICU on life support for some time due to health issues.
Eldridge Wayne Coleman, better known as Graham, was a three-time former world champion in professional wrestling.
He won the title in the WWWF, which later changed its name to the WWE, in 1977–1978. In 2004, he was admitted into the WWE Hall of Fame. On Monday morning, Valerie, his wife, wrote on Graham’s Facebook page that she had refused to turn off his life support.
“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. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BROTHER. RIP.”
In the late 1960s, Graham began watching professional wrestling. He continued to wrestle until 1987, when he retired due to injuries and health problems.
After quitting the ring, he started commentating on TV. Graham defeated Bruno Samartino for the WWWF championship in April 1977, but Bob Backlund defeated him for the title in February 1978.
Hulk Hogan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Scott Steiner, and Ric Flair, among other well-known wrestlers, were all said to have been influenced by Graham. His wife and two kids have survived him.
Billy Graham biography
Billy Graham’s real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman. He was a pro wrestler from the United States. His time as the WWWF Heavyweight Champion from 1977 to 1978 helped him attain notoriety.
In important professional wrestling promotions, he won the world championship three times. He was an accomplished bodybuilder who trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger and was close to the actor.
He is best known for his captivating performance style and for changing the interview and physique parts of the professional wrestling business. Ric Flair, Scott Steiner, Hulk Hogan, and Jesse Ventura are a few of his wrestler proteges.
In high school, Coleman won the shot put competition. In the 1959 Golden Gloves, he also experimented with amateur and professional boxing. He tried out for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League at age 26 but was instead moved to the Montreal Alouettes.
He participated in just a few games. He bounced in several nightclubs in Phoenix, New York, and Los Angeles between football commitments.
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