Remembering Superstar Billy Graham (1943-2023)

 It has come across the wires in the last couple of hours that WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham (real name: Eldridge Wayne Coleman) has passed away after an illness. Graham had been on life support the last couple of days, and his passing comes a couple of weeks shy of his 80th birthday.

Graham ended Bruno Sammartino's 2nd reign as WWWF champion in 1977, only to lose it several months later to Bob Backlund. Graham would return a few years later, his head shaved, and adopting a martial arts gimmick. He returned one final time in 1986, this time as a fan favorite, and transitioned briefly to commentary before he was let go in 1990.

In between tours with what is now WWE, Graham would also compete in the NWA & AWA.

Let's take a trip back in time to May 1977, shortly after Graham won the title, for a jobber squash.

Graham was the inspiration for others to follow, including fellow Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan, Jesse Venture, Triple H, Steve Austin, and The Rock. It can be said that Dusty Rhodes borrowed some of his promo style from Graham as well.

Rest in peace.