John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast. You can also watch this show on video below as it was livestreamed to our YouTube channel.
We kicked off the show by giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going into our Top Five topics which included:
The best and worst of WWE WrestleMania 41
The Rock on The Pat McAfee Show
AEW Dynamite recap
NXT Stand & Deliver and their show from Tuesday
The last two Dark Side of the Ring episodes on Tony Atlas and “Superstar” Billy Graham
The anticipation for the sixth season of Dark Side of the Ring on Vice TV continues to build with all of the episodes titles and descriptions being revealed Thursday.
In late-January, the topics were first announced with the following giving even more insight into what’s in store for viewers:
Mick Foley: Hell in a Cell: “From the first terrifying fall off the cage to the impact he still feels today, Mick Foley relives a wrestling match, “Hell in a Cell ’98,” moment by moment.”
Blood, Fire and the Original Sheik: “The Sheik, whose violent career spanned fifty years, is revealed by his family and the few who survived his hardcore bloodbaths.”
Tony Atlas: Too Much, Too Soon: “With the physique of an Adonis and endless charisma, Tony Atlas makes his mark as one of wrestling’s first Black stars but racism, addiction and ego keeps Mr. USA from the top.”
Becoming Muhammad Hassan: “Just three years post-9/11, Marc Copani sees the highs and lows of wrestling when he’s given the chance to portray Muhammad Hassan, a villainous Arab-American character for the WWE.”
‘Hot Stuff’ Eddie Gilbert: “Skilled as a performer in the ring and as a booker, who created storylines behind the scenes; ‘Hot Stuff’ Eddie Gilbert was a ticking timebomb of talent and self-destruction.”
Big Van Vader: “With an iconic look and skills few of his size could match, Big Van Vader stood out as a wrestling monster but controlling his anger became a bigger battle in and out of the ring.”
The Scream Queen: Daffney: “With her piercing scream, Shannon Spruill becomes a cult star as Daffney in the squared circle; outside the ring, Daffney fights a much more punishing battle with bipolar disorder.”
The Original ‘Superstar’: Billy Graham: “Often imitated, never duplicated, Billy Graham breaks the mold for what a wrestler could be but steroid abuse and battles with the McMahons keeps Graham from the spotlight.”
Ludvig Borga: Hellraiser From Helsinki: “A Finnish wrestling bad guy turned real-life racist politician, Tony Halme’s time in the WWF as Ludvig Borga is only the start of his chaotic and destructive life.”
Truth, Lies and Billy Jack Haynes: “An 80s wrestling star, Billy Jack Haynes’ life of violence and mystery leads to his current situation; behind bars and charged with the second degree murder of his wife.”
The new season kicks off Tuesday, March 25th on Vice TV at 10 PM Eastern.
Both Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have opened up about the influence of “Superstar” Billy Graham on their pro wrestling careers.
Graham passed away last week at 79 years old after decades of declining health and tributes poured out afterward for how influential he was to the wrestling business and some of its biggest stars and influencers including Hogan, Flair, Jesse Ventura, Vince McMahon and countless others.
Talking to Sports Illustrated, Hogan said Graham “was decades ahead of his time” and that even when he was a heel, Graham drew fans to him “like a magnet.”
“He looked like a superhero, but when the good guy put his fist up and acted like he was going to punch him in the face, Billy Graham would drop to his knees and start begging and pleading. I modeled ‘Hollywood’ Hogan after that. Watch Hogan-Sting from WCW, and you’ll see a lot of the way Billy Graham carried himself in the ring. Even as a babyface, I did that, too. He was really something special.”
Hogan said he and Graham became friends in Hogan’s early days riding the roads and became close even though their friendship “had its share of twists and turns over the years.
“I still remember ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham standing on the second turnbuckle and doing the double bicep. That was the moment for me. I told my dad, ‘I want to be just like that guy.’ I was already a huge Dusty Rhodes fan, but ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham took it to a whole new level.”
Ric Flair
Like for Hogan, Graham’s impact on Flair’s career was also massive. He said Graham’s look “changed the whole perspective of the business” and that “Superstar” was often imitated, but never duplicated.
Flair talked about driving Graham early in his own career and how his wife was the first person to bleach Flair’s hair — a signature for the “Nature Boy.”
“I tried to be just like Billy, but there’s only one Billy,” says Flair. “I have so many fond memories. I was his chauffeur, driving him around in that white El Dorado with red interior. I loved that. His wife was the first woman to ever bleach my hair. He and Dusty (Rhodes) were the two biggest influences on me, ever, in this business. They were so damn charismatic. It was a gift.”
Join me on tonight’s Wrestling Observer Live as I dive into the top wrestling stories of the week, many of which involved former AEW World Champion CM Punk.
In an exciting announcement, AEW officially revealed their new Collision TV show, set to kick off on June 17th. However, there seemed to be a significant omission in the press release as Punk’s name was conspicuously absent, leaving fans uncertain about his potential return to the company. I talk about all the issues and stories that are surrounding Punk and AEW this past week and for the future.
Looking ahead, WWE is gearing up for Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia this Saturday while AEW is preparing for Double or Nothing this Sunday in Las Vegas. I provide an in-depth breakdown of both cards, giving you all the information you need to stay up to date.
I also talk about the passing of “Superstar” Billy Graham this past week which affected many in the wrestling community.
Wrestling Observer Live Saturday with Jim Valley is back.
Whether it’s CM Punk, Sasha Banks, Trinity, or others, there’s a trend of modern pro wrestlers walking away if they are unhappy with an aspect of their career or their position in the company. How will wrestling companies adapt?
Also, Smackdown, Rampage, AEW Collision, Superstar Billy Graham and more.
Dave Meltzer and I are back for a Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We discuss the following:
The latest on the CM Punk & AEW Collision situation
More “Superstar” Billy Graham memories
Thoughts on the AEW Double or Nothing card thus far
Les Thatcher and I are back with a new Wrestling Weekly to discuss the late “Superstar” Billy Graham, AEW Collision coming to TNT, and whether or not CM Punk is coming back to AEW or not.
John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked off the show by talking about the passing of “Superstar” Billy Graham, and our memories of him, which are not of his prime, but of the time he came back to WWF in 1987.
We then went to our thumbs up/thumbs down segment talking about Tony Khan and AEW Collision, CM Punk, and the West Coast Pro/PWR Queen of Indies event.
We then moved onto our big picture look at this past week’s AEW Dynamite and the upcoming Double or Nothing, focusing on the following:
Creative doing zero favors for three of the Four Pillars
The heat magnet Karen Jarrett
The needless stipulations for DoN
The weird way Toni Storm got her AEW Women’s title shot for DoN
How the booking turned a fun Roderick Strong/Chris Jericho match into something lesser
A great closing angle with the return of Hangman Page
You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.
Eldridge Wayne Coleman, better known as Superstar Billy Graham, seemingly lived multiple lives, and nearly died multiple deaths.
The wrestler whose influence changed the business completely, had been suffering health issues on and off for decades. There were near-death experiences from drug overdoses, health ailments that he had believed were linked to his heavy usage of steroids, liver failure that he survived with a 2002 transplant, and multiple later issues, and there was even a period in 1981 when rumors spread and were reported in two major newspapers of his death, and speculated on in both bodybuilding and wrestling magazines.
It was a strange paradox. I don’t think anyone would have expected that Graham would live to be one month short of his 80th birthday. Yet, he had survived so many near-death experiences, that even as the reports got worse and worse in recent months during his hospitalization, those who followed him had seen it so many times that it was almost like this was just another incident. There was the feeling that somehow, like all the other incidents, no matter how they read, the end result would be the same and he’d survive once again.
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.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more on the life of Superstar Billy Graham, AEW’s television announcement and what is going on with CM Punk, AEW Dynamite results with more PPV matches added and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
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.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, Randy Orton’s future, AEW’s big announcement Wednesday, Best of the Super Juniors, your RAW report for Monday night and tons more. A packed show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Superstar Billy Graham health update
24:05: AEW’s big announcement is Wednesday, AEW Dynamite preview
A look at AEW’s changes coming up that will be announced over the next week with the debut of Collision, as well as a business analysis of rights fees as compared to WWE, different scenarios and different things that could be part of the new deal.
Full coverage of Backlash, including the booking, the show, Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, Roman Reigns, business notes on the show, interest levels for the different events in a giant weekend of sports, PPV numbers, crossover between WWE and Alvarez fight, and the paradox of government money bringing WWE to cities and how that affects future hows in San Juan.
A full look at the AEW event at Wembley Stadium. We look at ticket sales, records, scalpers, the biggest shows ever in Europe, the biggest non-WWE shows in history, how viable is it regarding the all-time paid attendance records, and the three shows it has to beat, U.K. attendance records, differences in AEW & WWE ticket sale patterns, possible attractions for the show as well as opponents for he biggest matches and other London shows that weekend.
Full coverage of UFC 288, main event decision, what’s next for the top stars, business notes and match-by-match coverage.
A look at Dragon Gate’s Dead or Alive show
A look at the longest lasting U.K. headliners and Hall of Fame comments
The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, with weekly placings, competition, and comparisons to one year ago, a well as how segments did
Wrestler goes for world title in two very different groups over a few week period
Konnan talks AAA U.S. TV negotiations
The politics behind the upcoming champion vs. champion match
Champion Carnival finals
How many tickets has Mercedes Mone moved for her next show
Early notes on All Together Now
Best of Super Juniors shows for this week
The most famous feud in Canadian football history, Angelo Mosca vs. Joe Kapp, and a detailed rundown
Former TNA & WWE star retires
Double or Nothing update
AEW booking team detailed
Crazy AEW PPV stat
Upcoming ticket sales to WWE & AEW shows
International TV numbers and streaming numbers
Aftermath of Omega vs. Moxley
Retired wrestler mentions being open to work Wembley Stadium as a farewell
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Monday Update
Bryan and I will be up tonight talking Raw and all the latest wrestling and MMA news with Wrestling Observer Radio.
Very sad news today with the doctors advising Valerie Coleman, the wife of Superstar Billy Graham (Wayne Coleman) that they believe he needs to be taken off life support. I just want to send whatever good wishes and prayers to Valerie today. She and Wayne have been together since she was 19 years old and through the good and the bad, he has been her life. So I can understand her asking that the life support stay on, but this was the first time it really feels like we have to face the inevitable.
Having been in the position with family and friends when the doctors say that, it’s just heartbreaking memories this brings up. Superstar Graham was one of the two top drawing heel wrestlers of the 1970s (the other being The Sheik). But he was probably the single most influential wrestler of that era, as everyone copied him, even people like Dusty Rhodes who readily would admit to it even though most wouldn’t see it because they looked so completely different. Obviously people like Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura top the list of the Graham copycats who went on to become giants both in and out of the wrestling industry. Yo have no idea how many people, myself included, Paul Heyman included, DDP included, Hogan included, had their lives changed by Graham because he was so instrumental in talking through your television set and making you a fan of this business when people were very young. Graham faced death so many times that you while you probably never thought he’d live to be 79, once he did, you probably didn’t ever face the reality that one day this could happen. Vince McMahon had a love/hate relationship with him but in the end he would readily speak of Graham’s influence on him and the creation of the Hogan character which blew up his company. We all know that Billy was born ten years too soon for his own fame but had he not been born at all, it’s hard to say where the business as we know it would be. That’s how strong his influence at the time was. Billy absolutely had his dark side and no fair portrayal of him can ignore that as well. But this is really a devastating day.
Vice Media declared bankruptcy today, a prelim to a sale of the company to Soros Fund Management and Fortress Investment group. For those who have asked, we don’t believe this will directly effect the airing of Dark Side of the Ring, which debuts on Tuesday 5/30y for a new season. (thanks to Chuck Langerman)
Raw tonight is from Greensboro, NC featuring Becky Lynch doing a promo talking Trish Stratus, Cody Rhodes building up his match with Brock Lesnar, Gunther debuts, a Battle Royal will be held to determine the top contender for Gunther’s IC title (Johnny Gargano was the surprise opponent at the weekend house shows) , Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defend the tag titles against Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Miz. The advance as of this morning was more than 9,500 tickets so another big crowd.
Looking for reports on this show with Main Event matches and anything else not on the TV show to [email protected]
Thanks to David Devoti for the report from the Saturday WWE show in Augusta, GA.
Raw gets a break this week as there is no NBA playoff game tonight. The Lakers vs Denver goes against NXT tomorrow Boston vs. Miami game one goes against Dynamite on Wednesday. Raw does go against game seven of Seattle vs. Dallas in the NHL playoffs which should hurt a little. They are lucky because last week they had the world title tournament and were coming off the PPV show, while this week they could have been hurt a lot worse by the NBA playoffs.
Roman Reigns is doing a rare house how in Fayetteville, NC on Saturday night. The building is pushing it as the first time Reigns is in Fayetteville in more than four years.
Best of the Super Juniors at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow in Akita:
Yoh vs. Clark Connors
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Titan
Bushi vs. Robbie Eagles
TJP vs. Douki
Dan Moloney vs. Francesco Akira
Mike Bailey vs. Kushida
Desperado vs. Kevin Knight
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Sho
Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Master Wato
Lio Rush vs Taiji Ishimori
There are also tournament shows Wednesday in Sendai and Thursday in Iwate.
There wasn’t much mention of WWE at the FOX in its release today or NBCU upfronts today. There wasn’t going to be with FOX because it was the entertainment division that made the release and FOX considers Smackdown part of the sports division.
Nick Khan will be part of the SBC Moffett Nathanson Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Thursday at 1 p.m. in New York talking the merger and company business.
John Cena taped an episode of Josh Horowitz’s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast today.
HighspotsAuctions.com is doing private signings with The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Bill Goldberg and Excalibur.
Clash Wrestling from Saturday night in Allen Park, MI: Dean Hendrix NC Thomas Bailey, James Alexander b Forever Young, Marti Belle b Heather Blue, Elk & The Power Ranges b Cameron Sky & tommy Teeznik & Dr. Wrecking Ball, Juntai b Jason Hotch, Allysin Kay b Jody Threat, Ren Jones b Rickey Shane Page (thanks to Leonard Brand)
MCW on Saturday night in Joppa,MD at the RJ Meyer Arena with Robert Locke & Brandon Scott vs Jay Lethal Alex Divine. on a show called Tribute to Legends.
Herb Simmons’ Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling had a fan fest on Saturday bringing in JJ Dillon, Ted DiBiase, Brian Knobs, Gerald Brisco, Bob Orton, Barbara Goodish, Lisa “Victoria” Varon, Greg Gagne, Bushwhacker Luke, The Grappler,Brutus Beefcake,Barry Horowitz, Bobby Fulton, Buff Bagwell, Haku, Barbarian, Ken Patera, Rip Rogers, Enzo, JBL, Teddy Long, jimmy Hart, John Nord, Earl Hebner, Steve Lombardi, Fred Ottman, Stan Hansen, James Beard, Wes Brisco, Spike Huber, Ross Hart, 2 Cold Scorpio and Baron Von Raschke.
Winnipeg Pro Wrestling from Friday night: James Roth b AJ Sanchez,. Tyler Colton b Carter Mason, Michael Allen Richard Clark b Marcus Muncherson, Jody Threat b Heather Reckless to keep the WPW women’s title, Red Hot Summer b Technical Difficulties to win the tag titles, Chad Daniels b Warhorse, Tootie Lynn b Aminah Belmont, Bobby Schink b Tommy Lee Curtis to keep the WPW title. The July show sold out in 20 minutes (thanks to Blair Pacheco)
Sorry to report the death of MMA judge Michael De Pasquale Jr. He passed awa this past week due to complications from a 2020 back injury that he never recovered from. (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
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.
