Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Billy Graham (wrestler)
Billy Graham is a professional wrestler, commonly known as 'Superstar' Billy Graham. His real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman, and was born September 10, 1943. He selected his ring name as a tribute to the famous evangelist Billy Graham, at whose revival meeting Coleman converted to Christianity. He was one of the first pro wrestlers to really make it big based primarily on his charisma, paving the way for wrestlers like Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, and particularly Hulk Hogan to do the same years later with ring personnae heavily influenced by the two distinct phases of Graham's career.
A former football player and bodybuilder, Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Championship on April 30, 1977, and lost the title to Bob Backlund on February 20, 1978. He 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. (Hulk Hogan would copy elements of this look into his "Hollywood Hogan" character in the 1990s.)
Again, Graham would unsuccesfully challenge Backlund, but in one memorable incident he would destroy Backlund's championship belt ringside while Backlund wrestled.
Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at WrestleMania XX in 2004. His body now ravaged from years of steroid use, Graham now lectures high school athletes on the dangers of steroids.
| Preceded by: Bruno Sammartino | WWE Champions | Succeeded by: Bob Backlund |
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details


