Superstar Billy Graham is dead after a long battle of illnesses. The wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer was 79 years old.
Superstar Billy Graham Is Dead At 79 Years Old
Sadly, the wrestling world has lost another high profile name. Superstar Billy Graham, real name Eldridge Wayne Coleman, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79.
The wrestling legend has been dealing with various health issues for numerous years. In recent months, his health dramatically declined.
He had been at the Mayo Clinic, where he was receiving treatment for numerous health related concerns. Graham had been dealing with major infections in his ears and skull, congestive heart failure, diabetes and other ailments.
On Monday morning, his wife, Valerie, posted on her Facebook page asking for prayers. The doctors had recommended removing him from life support.
Instead, Valerie held out that he would recover. She wrote, “he’s a fighter and his will is strong even if his body isn’t. God is our hope”.
Also, she added a link to a GoFundMe set-up for Graham’s medical expenses. It was created in March. At that time, Graham had already been hospitalized for three months.
He had lost 65 pounds and his hearing due to ear infections. Over the past three weeks, he lost an additional 45 pounds.
Flashback Friday: Superstar Billy Graham
At the time, he was considered ‘coded.’ In the medical world, the term means a patient requires immediate resuscitation efforts.
Before becoming a professional wrestler, Graham was a bodybuilder and trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He switched to pro wrestling in 1969 and trained with Stu Hart.
Superstar Billy Graham Is Dead, But He Left Behind An Amazing Legacy
Graham worked for the AWA, NWA and WWWF (now known as WWE). He had memorable matches with the likes of Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund.
“Superstar” would hold a bunch of titles, with the peak being the WWWF Heavyweight Championship. He ended Sammartino’s 1,237 day reign in 1977.
Despite having issues with the McMahon family, they seemed to have made peace. He eventually entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
From everyone at Wrestle Newz, we send our condolences to the friends and family of Superstar Billy Graham.
After such a legendary career, it’s sad that Superstar Billy Graham is dead, but he left behind plenty of memories. What are some of the moments fans would like to share?
