"Superstar" Billy Graham
Aliases - Wayne Coleman
Athletic background - Pro Bodybuilding (Mr. World competitor), Football (NFL)
Teachers - Jerry Graham
Professional background - California, AWA, Hawaii(`74), Mid-Atlantic(`75), Florida(`76-`77), WWWF(`77-`78), WWF(`83), AWA(`84), Florida(`84), JCP/NWA(`84-`85), WWF(`87-`88)
Groups - none
Peak Years - `72-`78
Career Highlights - n/a
Finisher(s) -
- Bearhug
Favorites -
- Full Nelson
- Side Headlock
- Turnbuckle Smash
- Overhead Forearm
- Punch
Ringwork Rating -
move set - 4
science - 2
aerial - 1
power - 8
strikes - 3
Intangible Rating -
entertainment - 10
selling - 5
bumping - 5
carrying - 4
heat - 10
legacy - 8
Serious Injuries - Hip, Knees, Ankles, Back (All Required Surgeries)
Place in History - Few wrestlers have come along and had a bigger influence than "Superstar" Billy Graham. Though he was not the most "athletic" wrestler, Graham's tremendous physique and innovative style on the mic made him ahead of his time. He knew how to project a certain image and was able to get over in a huge way wherever he went. Billy Graham was just what the WWWF needed in the late 70s - a colorful character that could bring in the people. Despite going against Vince Sr.'s tradition of a babyface hero champion, Graham was a tremendous draw in the Northeast and could have been a wildly successful babyface, if he'd ever had a run there as one. Though his body has paid a heavy toll for immortality, Superstar Billy Graham's legacy is always prevalent. From Jesse Ventura to Hulk Hogan in his dying days and Scott Steiner and Perry Saturn in the new millenium, many men owe a debt of gratitude to the Superstar. He was, in his own words, "The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour."