Guide Note

"Superstar" Billy Graham is a retired professional wrestler. Graham is a former WWF Champion ans was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

Fast Facts

1. Real name: Eldridge Wayne Coleman
2. Born: September 10, 1943
3. Birthplace: Paradise Valley, Arizona
4. Resides: Paradise Valley, Arizona
5. Height: 6'4"
6. Weight: 285 lbs
7. Trained by: Stu Hart
8. Debut: 1969
9. Retired: 1988
10. Finishing moves: Full Nelson, Rib Breaker, Lariat, Hangman
11. Can't have children due to steroid abuse
12. Advocate for organ donation

Eldridge Wayne Coleman was a former football player and bodybuilder when he decided to get into wrestling. He chose his ring name after Billy Graham the evangelist, who was responsible for Coleman's conversion to Christianity. "Superstar" Billy Graham was a pioneer in wrestling in that he became popular for his in-ring personality rather than his wrestling ability. Before Hulk Hogan started doing it, Graham referred to his 22-inch arms as "pythons."

Graham joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1975 and won the WWF Championship in 1977. He held the title for 296 days, longer than any other heel in WWE history. Graham's popularity continued to grow, despite the fact that he was portraying a heel persona.

Graham went back and forth between the WWF and the National Wrestling Alliance. He returned to WWF for his third and final stint in 1986, but injuries forced him into retirement toward the end of 1987.