The full list of episode topics has been revealed for Dark Side of the Ring’s new season.
Dark Side of the Ring returns with season six premiering on Vice TV at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, March 25. A trailer for the new season was released today, announcing that there will be episodes focused on the following 10 subjects:
Hell in a Cell
Big Van Vader
Tony Atlas
Ludvig Borga
Billy Jack Haynes
Eddie Gilbert
“Superstar” Billy Graham
Daffney
The Original Sheik
Muhammad Hassan
Interviews with Mick Foley, Jim Cornette, Jim Ross, Rob Van Dam, Tony Atlas, Marc Copani (Muhammad Hassan), Mark Henry, and Billy Jack Haynes are included in the trailer. Haynes was arrested and charged with the murder of his 85-year-old wife Janette Becraft in February 2024.
We’re back! Season 6 premieres March 25 on @VICETV.
The Hell in a Cell episode looks to be heavily focused on Foley and his match against The Undertaker from King of the Ring 1998. Last August, Ross said he was interviewed for an upcoming Dark Side of the Ring episode where Foley would be the topic.
The wrestling world is paying tribute to “Superstar” Billy Graham in the wake of his passing.
Graham was one of most influential performers in the history of the industry. The list of wrestlers who emulated Graham’s persona include Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Jesse “The Body” Ventura and many more.
Since news of his death was first reported, Ventura, Paul Heyman, WWE and others have posted their thoughts about Graham to social media.
Paul Heyman wrote:
Before Billy Graham, performers in WWWF / WWF/ WWE were known as professional wrestlers. After Billy Graham left his mark, Vincent Kennedy McMahon decided everyone would be a WWE Superstar. A most heartfelt RIP to the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour
Before Billy Graham, performers in WWWF / WWF/ WWE were known as professional wrestlers. After Billy Graham left his mark, Vincent Kennedy McMahon decided everyone would be a WWE Superstar. A most heartfelt RIP to the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour! pic.twitter.com/bwL6UQ3c3h
There wouldn’t be a Jesse “The Body” Ventura without the in-ring success and trailblazing showmanship of Superstar Billy Graham. One of my proudest wrestling memories was having the honor of being inducted into the same WWE Hall of Fame class as Graham. Rest In Power Superstar.
There wouldn't be a Jesse "The Body" Ventura without the in-ring success and trailblazing showmanship of Superstar Billy Graham. One of my proudest wrestling memories was having the honor of being inducted into the same WWE Hall of Fame class as Graham. Rest In Power Superstar.
A former WWE Champion, Graham’s flashy fashion style, over-the-top interviews and bodybuilder physique created the archetype for a generation of Superstars that followed in his footsteps.
The article continues:
To make himself stand out even more, Graham dyed his hair and goatee different colors, and honed a distinctive look that featured outlandish earrings, skintight T-shirts, and long, colorful tie-dyed tights. The WWE Hall of Famer’s blend of standout style, sculpted body and in-ring dominance laid the foundation for future stars such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner and more.
Our own Dave Meltzer wrote about Graham:
I am so sad. My entire life, and tons of others from Flair to Hogan to Jesse to tons you wouldn’t know and tons you would changed because of him. Valerie, I just wish you the best, you’re a saint and more people than you know are aware of it.
I am so sad. My entire life, and tons of others from Flair to Hogan to Jesse to tons you wouldn't know and tons you would changed because of him. Valerie, I just wish you the best, you're a saint and more people than you know are aware of it. https://t.co/xr48yzf20G
Meltzer also spoke to the LA Times about Graham’s career and legacy.
“Billy was the most influential wrestler of the 1970s,” wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer, author of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, said. “Obviously, he was the prototype of the Hulk Hogan character, the Jesse Ventura character, but so many others like Dusty Rhodes copied his interview style and colorful dress, and they were the guys who carried the business. Even Chael Sonnen in MMA would directly copy his interviews.”
“He was a prototype of what Vince McMahon saw as a top wrestling attraction going forward,” Meltzer continued. “Billy was neither the first wrestler to use steroids nor the biggest abuser of them, but he was as associated with them as [much as] almost anyone, and later became a very vocal speaker against their use, and sometimes that wavered as he went through different periods of life.”
Ric Flair posted:
The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us 🙏🏻 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career! pic.twitter.com/YH0eT2NM4p
Quite possibly the biggest game-changer of all time. Because of Billy Graham, we got Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, not to mention countless others who made fortunes borrowing from this man. Say his name and remember him.
Sean Waltman referred to Graham as the “most copied man ever in pro wrestling.”
This is the version of Superstar Billy Graham I got to see in FL. He would come out to Kung Fu Fighting & I loved it! RIP to the most copied man ever in Pro Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/hLzoWaXDiD
It’s with great sadness we hear the passing of one of professional wrestling’s most iconic and influential performers of all time in Superstar Billy Graham at the age of 79. We send our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and fans the world over. R.I.P. Superstar.
Graham was voted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Class of 1996. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2004.
Pro wrestling legend and industry influencer “Superstar” Billy Graham has passed away at 79 years old.
As Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio earlier this week, “If it wasn’t for Billy Graham, this industry would be so much different than it is.”
Graham had been in failing health for decades and was placed on life support in recent days. He had been hospitalized for several months, dealing with an infection and organ failure that required emergency surgery earlier this month, according to his wife, Valerie.
She said in a Facebook post Monday that doctors wanted to take him off life support, but she refused.
He was one of the most charismatic wrestlers and influential figures of all-time in the business. Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, Steve Austin, Dusty Rhodes, Vince McMahon, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Ric Flair and others all took notes from the book of “Superstar.”
“He became the prototype of what people thought could be the charismatic superstar,” Meltzer said.
**********
Born Eldridge Wayne Coleman on June 7, 1943, he got into bodybuilding in the early 1960s. He eventually found his way north to train with Stu Hart in Calgary in 1969, making his debut in Stampede Wrestling the following year.
He would go on to spend two years for the NWA in San Francisco followed by a three-year run in the AWA. In 1970, he took on the Billy Graham name based on the last name of fellow wrestler and friend Dr. Jerry Graham. He later adopted the “Superstar” nickname in 1972, taking it from the popular Jesus Christ Superstar rock opera.
Graham made his then-WWWF debut in 1975 and would spend the better part of the next four years there, save for a few months when he returned to the NWA. He ended the near-decade long run for Bruno Sammartino as WWWF World Champion in April 1977, holding the title until he lost it to Bob Backlund in February 1978 — a decision he didn’t agree with.
After that, Graham would spend the majority of his remaining career in WWE in addition to multiple returns to the NWA and the AWA. It was during his third WWE run in the late-1980s that the strain from a hip replacement and bad ankles eventually caught up with him. He retired at just 44 years old in November 1987.
Graham had his issues with McMahon through the years, partially sparked by him being let go by WWE in 1990 after McMahon had previously promised him a job for life. He was vocal about McMahon and Hogan’s claims about steroids during the famed trial involved Dr. George Zahorian.
Graham admitted to taking steroids for nearly two decades which greatly affected his health and quality of life.
He was named to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, inducted by Levesque. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1996.
He leaves behind his only wife, Valerie, with whom he has been married since 1979. Graham also leaves behind two children.
Meltzer will have a much more extensive bio on Graham in the next Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Wrestling Observer Radio.
Pro wrestling legend “Superstar” Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman) has been placed on life support as he continues to battle severe health issues.
In an update posted to Facebook on Monday morning, Graham’s wife Valerie Coleman stated that “urgent prayers” are needed for her husband. Valerie said doctors wanted to remove Graham’s life support, but she refused to do it.
“Please urgent prayers needed for my husband,” the update said. “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”
The 79-year-old Graham, who’s battled numerous health issues for decades, has been hospitalized for several months. Valerie wrote on May 9 that Graham was battling an infection and organ failure and would need to undergo emergency surgery:
Prayer warriors …..new update
Wayne will be having emergency surgery tomorrow. Still in ICU fighting the infection and organ failure. They did a nuclear test today that showed infection in the left hip and they said if we want to try and save his life they will have to go in and remove all of the old hardware and clean out the bone and surrounding tissue….it’s very extensive and you can imagine the risk involved.
It will be sometime in the midafternoon.
I see the hand of God in this and that’s where I’m putting my hope
One of the most charismatic wrestlers of all time, Graham held the WWWF Championship from April 1977 to February 1978. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1996.
