Superstar Billy Graham
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| Elridge Wayne Coleman | |||
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| Ring Names | Superstar Billy Graham Billy Graham Wayne Coleman | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Weight | 275 lbs (125 kg) | ||
| Born | June 7 1943 | ||
| Paradise Valley, Arizona | |||
| Died | |||
| Resides | Paradise Valley, Arizona | ||
| Billed | Paradise Valley, Arizona | ||
| Trained by | Stu Hart Peter Maivia | ||
| Debut | January 16, 1970 | ||
| Retired | 1987 | ||
Eldridge Wayne Coleman (June 7, 1943) is an American fine artist and retired professional wrestler. An iconic figure in professional wrestling, he worked under the ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham and gained renown for his tenure as the World Wide / World Wrestling Federation champion in 1977-78. As an award-winning bodybuilder he was also a training partner of future California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is godfather to Graham's daughter). Graham is best remembered for revolutionizing the interview and physique aspects of the pro wrestling business as well as for his highly charismatic performance style. Some of his proteges have included wrestling megastar Hulk Hogan, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
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Contents |
In wrestling
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- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
- Nicknames
- "The Real American"
- "The True Spirit of America"
- "Billy Graham"
- "Superstar" Billy Graham
Championships and accomplishments
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- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (2 times)November 22, 1976 West Palm Beach, FL June 10, 1984 Orlando, FL
- NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ox BakerApril 2, 1977 Ocala, FL
- NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)
- Continental Wrestling Association
- CWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)October 8, 1979 Memphis, TN
- NWA Big Time Wrestling
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (3 times)1st title win was April 4, 1975 Houston, TX 2nd title win was on two dates. Texas had 3 promotions working together. Fritz Von Erich had the title change on August 5, 1975 Dallas, TX Paul Boesch also wanted the title change on his card. August 8, 1975 Houston, TX 3rd title win was January 18, 1980 Houston, TX
- NWA Mid-Pacific Promotions
- NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)January 9, 1974 Honululu, HI
- NWA San Francisco
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (2 times) – with Pat Patterson1st win on January 7, 1971 Sacramento, CA TV Tapings 2nd win on February 13, 1971 San francisco, CA
- 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
- World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
- WWWF Championship (1 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)
