Billy “Superstar” Graham was one of the sport’s strongest men.  He was a former WWWF
World Champion, having beaten Bruno Sammartino for the honors.  His persona in the ring
continues to reflect on many of today’s superstars.  In the late 1960s, he entered
professional wrestling under the guidance of the legendary Stu Hart and the “Dungeon.”
Graham’s bodybuilding form was an intimidating sight from day one and many promoters
knew that they had a sure-fire champion on their hands.

Billy began under his real name before joining the famous heel Graham Brothers.  
“Superstar” Billy Graham took the scene like never before.  In 1971, he teamed with Pat
Patterson to capture the NWA United States Tag Team Title from Peter Maivia and Ray
Stevens.  In early 1973, he was back in Canada and warring with the popular Billy Robinson.  
On August 16, 1974 in Denver, he beat Robinson for the IWA World Heavyweight Title.  
Mighty Inoue beat Graham on October 7th in Saitama, Japan for the championship.  While
venturing through the American Wrestling Association, Graham received several shots at
Verne Gagne’s World Heavyweight Title.  The tough matches pitted amateur skills versus
pure strength.  Before he could win the title, Billy went to the World Wrestling Federation and
took the Grand Wizard as his manager.

On April 30, 1977, he ended Bruno Sammartino several year reign as WWWF Champion in
Baltimore.  More then 90 percent of his headlining Madison Square Garden matches were
sold-out and while champion, Graham feuded with the best in the business.  Sammartino
received return shots.  Dusty Rhodes, Larry Zbyszko and Peter Maivia all entered the ring
and challenged for the title.  All were turned away.  Graham met the NWA World Champion,
Harley Race on January 25, 1978 at the Orange Bowl in Miami before an estimated audience
of 10,000.  He won the initial fall by submission, but was counted out in the second.  The
match ended in a sixty-minute draw.

Promoters in Florida scheduled a rematch for Jacksonville in February, but circumstances
would forever postpone that second match. Bob Backlund defeated Graham on February 20,
1978 in New York’s Madison Square Garden to capture the WWWF Heavyweight
Championship.  23,000 fans watched the referee count the final pin on Graham, despite his
foot being on the ropes, an action that would have stopped any count.  The decision stood
and the federation had a new champion.

After the loss, Graham went into a self-imposed retirement.  He returned in the early 1980s
and toured through several National Wrestling Alliance Territories.  He captured the NWA
Florida Heavyweight Title.  Graham suffered a serious hip injury and was forced to retire from
pro-wrestling.  After surgery, he did make a miraculous return to the sport and wrestled his
final match in late 1987 against Butch Reed.  One Man Gang and Reed beat Graham down
and he was carried out of the ring.  He appeared with Don Muraco in Atlantic City during
WrestleMania IV’s WWF World Title Tournament in 1988.

“Superstar” Billy Graham has left his mark on the sport of professional wrestling.  His style,
attitude and physique influenced a generation of mat wrestlers.

Title History:

-IWA World Heavyweight Title (1974) defeated Billy Robinson
-A two-time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
        -Defeated Dusty Rhodes (1976)
        -Defeated Billy Jack Haynes (1984)
-Co-holder of the NWA Florida Tag Team Title (1970s) w/ Ox Baker
-NWA Southern Heavyewight Title (1977) defeated Dusty Rhodes
-WWWF Heavyweight Title (1977-’78) defeated Bruno Sammartino







Research by Tim Hornbaker
"Superstar" Billy Graham Wrestling History
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