"Superstar" Billy Graham

Eldridge Wayne Coleman (June 7, 1943 - May 17, 2023) was an American professional wrestler. He was of part Arkansas Cherokee descent. Graham was best known for his highly dramatic and charismatic style of wrestling. He created the style while working with The World Wide/World Wrestling Federation under the ring name, "Superstar" Billy Graham. He was also an amateur fine artist. Graham was widely acknowledged as the person who changed modern American pro wrestling by combining it with bodybuilding. Many modern professional wrestlers have a bodybuilders' physique. Before wrestling, Graham played 5 games with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
During the steroid allegations involving WWE owner Vince McMahon in 1992, Graham went on The Phil Donahue Show. On the program, he said that he commonly used steroids. He blamed the WWF for his addiction. The drugs were not illegal in the 1970s. This caused problems between Graham and McMahon. They lasted for over ten years.
WWE Hall of Fame
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 by Triple H. In 2011, it was reported that he wanted his name removed from the WWE Hall of Fame after he was upset that Abdullah the Butcher was also made a member of the Hall of Fame.
Death
Graham was hospitalized in January 2023 because of an ear and skull infection. In April, he was treated for kidney, heart and lung problems. Graham died on May 17, 2023 while on life-support at a Phoenix, Arizona hospital of multiple organ failure, aged 79.
Championships
Graham held many championships during his professional wrestling career:
Championship Wrestling from Florida
NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (two times)
NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (one time) (with Ox Baker)
NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (one time)
Continental Wrestling Association
CWA World Heavyweight Championship (one time)
International Pro Wrestling
IWA World Heavyweight Championship (one time)
NWA Big Time Wrestling
NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (three times)
NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (one time)
NWA San Francisco
NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (two times) (with Pat Patterson)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1973)
PWI Match of the Year (1977) (vs. Bruno Sammartino on April 30)
PWI Match of the Year (1978) (vs. Bob Backlund on February 20)
PWI ranked him #277 of the best 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
Class of 2009
World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
WWWF Championship (one time)
Slammy Award for Hulk Hogan Real American (1987)
Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
Best Pro Wrestling Book (2006) (with Keith Greenberg)
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
References
Other websites
Official website
Billy Graham's Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame profile
Billy Graham's WWE Hall of Fame profile
1943 births
American professional wrestlers
Former WWE wrestlers
2023 deaths
Deaths from multiple organ failure
Montreal Alouettes players
Sportspeople from Phoenix, Arizona
WWE Hall of Fame