This article will explore Billy Graham’s life story and check out how he died recently.
Introducing Eldridge Wayne Coleman, also known by his ring name “Superstar” Billy Graham, an extraordinary American professional wrestler. Born on June 7, 1943, in the humble city of Phoenix, Arizona, Coleman’s passion for weightlifting began to blossom in the fifth grade. He found inspiration in the pages of bodybuilding magazines, idolizing the legendary figures of Steve Reeves and John Grimek.
Even during his teenage years, Coleman’s athletic prowess shone brightly. He excelled as a shot put champion in high school and even ventured into the realms of amateur and professional boxing, displaying his fighting spirit in the 1959 Golden Gloves. As fate would have it, at the age of 26, Coleman tried out for the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. Although he was initially traded to the Montreal Alouettes, his football career was short-lived, with only a couple of games under his belt.
Between football endeavours, Coleman found himself working as a bouncer at various nightclubs, gracing the lively scenes of Phoenix, New York, and Los Angeles.
He began his training under Stu Hart in 1969 and made his debut in 1970. Graham wrestled under various names, eventually adopting the moniker “Superstar” in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA). He became known for his arm wrestling contests, weightlifting challenges, and posing routines, which added flair to his performances.
Graham had notable feuds with wrestlers such as Wahoo McDaniel, Ivan Putski, and Dusty Rhodes. He competed in different promotions including the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship in 1977. Graham held the title for nearly ten months before losing it to Bob Backlund. He also had successful stints in the NWA and AWA.
Graham faced numerous injuries throughout his career, necessitating breaks from the wrestling scene. In 1982, he made a triumphant return to the WWF, only to venture off to the AWA and NWA before making his final appearance there in 1986. Despite retiring from in-ring action, he sporadically graced the audience with his presence and lent his voice as a commentator for the WWF.
Graham’s influence on professional wrestling and his fascinating presence persists despite his health issues. He received formal recognition for his legendary status in 2004 when he was elected to the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame. Due to his Legends contract, he still keeps a tenuous relationship with the WWE through infrequent appearances. He reaffirmed his dedication in 2015 by agreeing to a new five-year contract. The long-lasting legacy of Graham’s impact on wrestling continues to enthral viewers everywhere.
Throughout his journey, he found love in the arms of Valerie, whom he married in 1978. Sadly, they faced the heartbreaking reality of not being able to have children together. However, from a previous marriage to Madelyn Miluso, Coleman had the joy of fatherhood. His daughter Capella, born on June 8, 1972, was named after a celestial star that captured his imagination in the Atlas of the Universe.
Later, on March 18, 1975, his son Joey entered the world, overcoming the challenges of double pneumonia and an enlarged heart through surgical intervention. Notably, the legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes stood as Joey’s godfather.
Yet, alongside his remarkable achievements and personal triumphs, Coleman faced numerous health struggles. In 2002, he underwent a life-changing liver transplant, receiving the organ from a 26-year-old female donor who had tragically passed away in a car accident. Cirrhosis plagued him at the time, but the transplant offered him hope. However, this was not the end of his medical journey. In 2006, he was hospitalized due to a bowel obstruction resulting from a previous surgery.
In July 2010, liver problems once again sent Coleman to the hospital, prompting him to make a sombre announcement: without another liver transplant, he believed he had only a year left to live. He even secured a burial spot at the Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona, next to the late Eddie Guerrero, another wrestling icon. Despite the uncertainty, his doctor, Hector Rodriguez-Luna, shed light on potential options.
By taking Interferon, a medication to slow down his hepatitis C, and maintaining his physical fitness, Coleman could potentially extend his life by two years, thanks to his advanced fibrosis potentially being early cirrhosis. Unfortunately, by 2012, he received a third-stage liver disease and cirrhosis diagnosis, further challenging his resolve.
Over the years, Coleman endured numerous hospitalizations for various health complications. In January 2013, he battled double pneumonia and possible heart failure. Later, in October 2014, liver complications led to yet another hospital stay. Then, in August 2016, he faced a medical emergency, undergoing surgery to address internal bleeding. The toll on his body continued, and in August 2022, Coleman had to undergo the amputation of his toes.
The beginning of 2023 brought another chapter of health struggles for the wrestling legend. In January, Coleman was admitted to the hospital due to an ear and skull infection. As the months passed, his condition worsened, resulting in a significant weight loss of 80 pounds. Tragically, on May 17, 2023, just three weeks before his 80th birthday, Graham passed away. Prior to his death, he had been placed on life support earlier that week.
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