"Superstar" Billy Graham
| Superstar Billy Graham | |
|---|---|
Superstar Billy Graham in May 2008
|
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| Birth name | Eldridge Wayne Coleman |
| Born |
June 7, 1943 Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Spouse(s) | Valerie Coleman |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
Billy Graham Wayne Coleman |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Billed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Billed from | Paradise Valley, Arizona |
| Trained by | Stu Hart |
| Debut | January 16, 1970 |
| Retired | November 7, 1987 |
Eldridge Wayne Coleman (born June 7, 1943) is an American retired professional wrestler currently signed to WWE under a Legends Contract. An iconic figure in professional wrestling, he worked under the ring name "Superstar" Billy Graham and gained recognition for his tenure as the WWWF Heavyweight Champion in 1977–1978. As an award-winning bodybuilder, he was also a training partner of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Graham is best remembered for revolutionizing the interview and physique aspects of the professional wrestling industry as well as for his highly charismatic performance style. Some of his wrestling proteges have included Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Ric Flair.
Wayne Coleman was born into a working-class family in Phoenix, Arizona on June 7, 1943. His father was from Mississippi, and his mother, of Cherokee ancestry, was from Arkansas. Coleman was attracted to weight lifting in the fifth grade. As a teenager he was an avid reader of bodybuilding magazines, his idols being Steve Reeves and John Grimek. As a teenager, he became a devout Christian and traveled to religious revivals where he incorporated feats of strength into his sermons.
Coleman was a shot put champion in high school. He also dabbled in amateur and professional boxing, participating in the 1959 Golden Gloves. At age 26, he tried out for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders but was traded to the Montreal Alouettes. He only played in a couple of games. In between football engagements, he worked as a bouncer in various nightclubs in Phoenix, New York and Los Angeles. After tearing his Achilles tendon, he decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
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