Editorial

WWE Hall Of Famer ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham Dead At 79

[YouTube/Screenshot/Public — JustRasslin]

Andrew Powell Sports and Entertainment Blogger
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We have some incredibly sad news out of the world of professional wrestling.

WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham has sadly passed away. He was 79.

Taking to social media Wednesday night, fellow wrestling icon “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair revealed the news.

“The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career!” wrote Flair.

Graham’s passing comes as he was put on life support earlier in the week. He was set to turn 80 years old June 7.

Prior to getting into professional wrestling in the 1960s, Graham (whose real name is Eldridge Wayne Coleman) was a Canadian Football player and bodybuilder.

In 1975, Graham made his debut in the then-World Wrestling Federation, and across multiple wrestling promotions, he was a three-time world champion.

Graham’s last match was in 1987, and after retiring, he became a commentator over the next year.

Feuding with Vince McMahon and being outspoken about steroid use, Graham ultimately returned home to the WWE in 2004, being inducted into the sports entertainment giant’s Hall of Fame before WrestleMania XX. Through 2009, he made multiple appearances for the company, but wouldn’t make another one until 2015. (RELATED: AEW Announces New Saturday Night Live TV Show ‘Collision,’ Premieres June 17 On TNT)

Before his unfortunate death, Graham had been slammed with health issues for years. In 2002, he went under a liver transplant, however, ten years later in 2012 he was diagnosed with both third-stage liver disease and cirrhosis. In August 2022, he had his toes amputated, and then back in January of this year, he was hospitalized with both a skull and ear infection.

What a legend … you will surely be missed, Superstar.