Family of Billy Graham confirmed the news on Wednesday.
WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham passed away at 79 years old. Graham’s family confirmed the news with TMZ. Graham built a legendary career in professional wrestling and was beloved by both fans and colleagues.
Graham, whose real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman, was put on life support in the ICU earlier in the month. This was to treat multiple infections, organ failure, and diabetes. Graham had been dealing with health issues for awhile now but it began to take a turn for the worse in February.
Ric Flair shared a tribute to Graham on Twitter on Wednesday night.
“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career!”
The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us 🙏🏻 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career! pic.twitter.com/YH0eT2NM4p
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 18, 2023
The Legendary Career of Billy Graham
Billy Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. He was a three-time World Champion over the course of his career. Graham held the title in the WWWF in 1977-78. This is a promotion that would turn into WWE.
Graham had a passion for fitness from a young age. He dabbled in bodybuilding early on and because friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger because of this.
Billy Graham began wrestling in the late 1960s in Stew Hart’s Stampede Wrestling. Over the course of his career that spanned across three different decades, Graham wrestled for WWF, AWA, NWA, and WWWF. Graham went head-to-head with many elite wrestlers at all levels.
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In 1977, Graham defeated fellow Hall-of-Famer Bruno Sammartino to win the WWWF title. He would hold the belt for close to 10 months before losing it to Bob Backlund.
“SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM. ONE OF MY FIRST TEACHERS OF THE HEAT. THE REAL LEGEND BUBBA. HE LOVE ME I LOVE HIM. TOGETHER WE HIT THE GYM AND SHOCK THE EARTH. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BROTHER. RIP,” The Iron Sheik via Twitter.
Billy Graham became a spokesperson against drugs and steroids after a career of using different substances. This has become an issue in bodybuilding, which is an area that Graham was familiar with from when he was young.
Graham was able to build a great career in the ring and made an impact on many athletes for decades after he decided to retire.
Generation Iron sends condolences to family and friends during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
