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Elridge Wayne Coleman
Statistics
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 (1943-06-07) (age 69)
	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.

In wrestlingEdit

• Finishing moves
  • Bearhug
• Signature moves
  • Airplane spin
  • Body slam
  • Diving knee drop
  • Full nelson

• Managers
  • The Grand Wizard
  • Oliver Humperdink
  • Adnan El Kassey

• Wrestlers managed
  • Don Muraco

• Nicknames
  • "The Real American"
  • "The True Spirit of America"
  • "Billy Graham"
  • "Superstar" Billy Graham

Championships and accomplishmentsEdit

• 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

• International Pro Wrestling
  • IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• 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

• 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 (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)

See alsoEdit

• Superstar Billy Graham's event history

External linksEdit

• Superstar Billy Graham profile at CAGEMATCH.net