"Superstar" Billy Graham

For the American Christian evangelist, see Billy Graham. For the American professional wrestling manager, see Billy Gram.
"Superstar" Billy Graham
Graham as WWF World Champion, c. 1977
Birth nameEldridge Wayne Coleman Jr.
Born(1943-06-07)June 7, 1943
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
DiedMay 17, 2023(2023-05-17) (aged 79)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Valerie Coleman
​
(m. 1979)​
Children2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)"Superstar" Billy Graham[1]
Wayne Coleman[2]
Billed height6 ft 4.95 in (195 cm)[1]
Billed weight275 lb (125 kg)[1]
Billed fromParadise Valley, Arizona[1][3]
Trained byStu Hart[2]
Debut1970
Retired1987

Eldridge Wayne Coleman Jr.[4] (June 7, 1943 – May 17, 2023), better known by his ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham, was an American professional wrestler. He gained recognition for his tenure as the WWF Heavyweight Champion from 1977 to 1978. He was a three-time world champion in major professional wrestling promotions. As an award-winning bodybuilder, he was a training partner and close friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was most remembered for revolutionizing the interview, which resembled the interviewing style of boxer Muhammad Ali, and physique aspects of the professional wrestling industry, and for his charismatic performance style.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d "Billy Graham bio". WWE. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Billy Graham". May 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference cpost was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "WWE Hall of Famer "Superstar" Billy Graham passes away". WWE. May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.