Tag: graham
Remembering Pro Wrestling Legend and Bodybuilder, ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham
Billy Graham dead at 79: WWE Hall-of-Famer dies ‘surrounded by family’ after being taken off life support
FORMER WWWF Heavyweight Champion “Superstar” Billy Graham died on Wednesday at age 79 after a months-long health battle.
Sixteen-time world champion Ric Fair tweeted that Graham – real name, Eldridge Wayne Coleman – had “left us.”
For years, Graham has been in and out of the hospital[/caption]
“THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career!” Flair wrote.
Graham’s family told TMZ that he died after being taken off life support with his wife and daughter by his side.
Following the news of Graham’s death, fans and fellow wrestlers shared tributes to the star’s career.
Two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, X-Pac shared a photo of a much-younger Graham.
“This is the version of Superstar Billy Graham I got to see in FL,” he wrote. “He would come out to Kung Fu Fighting & I loved it! RIP to the most copied man ever in Pro Wrestling.”
Fellow hall of fame, The Iron Sheik shared a photo of him and Graham on Twitter, writing: “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.”
“Superstar” Billy Graham started out as a bodybuilder, winning competitions as a teenager before training under iconic wrestler and trainer, Stu Hart.
He appeared in Hart’s promotion, Stampede Wrestling on January 16, 1970, in a match against Dan Kroffat.
At first, he performed under his real name but soon adopted the name Billy Graham – modeled after the famous evangelist of the same name.
Over time, he crafted his flamboyant persona which he became known for, becoming a fan favorite with his entertaining interviews.
Graham made his in-ring debut for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in October 1975 in a tag-team match with Spiros Arion.
Together, the duo defeated then-WWWF Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino and Dominic De Nucci.
The highlight of his career was on April 30, 1977 after Graham beat Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight, now known as the WWE Championship.
Graham ended Sammartino’s over 1,000-day reign, holding the title for nearly 300 days before he was defeated by Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 1978.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated named him the Most Hated Wrestler of 1973, before giving him Match of the Year accolades for his bouts with Sammartino and Backlund.
His career served as an inspiration to several wrestlers, many who he trained including Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, and Jesse Ventura.
In 2004, Graham was inducted into the 2004 WWE Hall of Fame by Ventura.
Over the years, Graham’s body dealt with major health issues, starting in 2002 when he received a liver transplant after being diagnosed with cirrhosis.
Again, he was diagnosed with liver issues in 2010 and was told he would only have a year to live without another transplant.
At this time, Graham famously reserved a burial spot at the Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona, next to the late Eddie Guerrero.
By 2012, Graham was diagnosed with third-stage liver disease and cirrhosis and spent several years in and out of the hospital.
Earlier this year, in January, Graham was hospitalized after being diagnosed with an ear and skull infection.
He sold his WWE Hall of Fame ring to pay for medicine after he had a liver transplant.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie, whom he married in 1978.
Graham also had two children from a previous marriage, daughter Capella and son Joey, whose godfather was wrestler, Dusty Rhodes.
‘URGENT PRAYERS’
Before his death, Graham’s wife revealed that doctors recommended pulling the plug but she refused.
She asked his fans for “urgent prayers” amid his deteriorating health, writing on Facebook: “Please urgent prayers needed for my husband.
“The doctors wanted to remove him from life support tonight. I refused.
“He’s a fighter and his will is strong even if his body isn’t. God is our hope.”
At the time, Flair wrote about the impact that Graham had on him and several other wrestlers.
“So Sad To Hear About Billy Graham’s Health!! Make No Mistake- Talk About The Influence He Made On ME And So Many Others! Hulk, Dusty Etc,” he wrote.
“You’re Beautiful. Bonnie Dyed My Hair In 1972!! Stay Strong My Mentor! FYI- You And Dusty Rhodes Were My Heroes! You Made Me!”
In 2004, Graham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame[/caption]
Graham won the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1977, besting Bruno Sammartino[/caption]
He held the title for 296 days before he was defeated by Bob Backlund in February 1978[/caption]
WWE superstar Billy Graham dies aged 79 after being taken off life support
Graham Norton issues warning to fans after Twitter account hacked
TV and radio star Graham Norton fears scammers will target his followers after his Twitter account was hacked.
He deleted his account @grahnort last year but has now warned that the old page has been reactivated by an impersonator.
Graham urged his more than 600,000 followers to spread the word that he is not behind the account — despite it still having a blue verified tick.
The Eurovision host, 60, wrote on Instagram: “I’ve just been told someone has reactivated my Twitter account.
“I’m now locked out of it.
“My worry is that whoever has access may try sending DMs asking for money or donations.
“Please spread the word that it is not me even though it still has a blue tick.”
The BBC TV and Virgin Radio presenter’s alert comes amid confusion over changes made by new Twitter owner Elon Musk.
Twitter failed to take legacy blue checkmarks off the social media platform, having committed to remove them on April 1.
Concerns over verification have risen since blue checkmarks became a paid feature — costing users eight US dollars (£6.40) a month for a Twitter Blue subscription.
Several celebrities have recently shared examples of fake Twitter profiles impersonating them.