The family of Christian wrestling superstar Eldridge Wayne Coleman, who went by the professional wrestling name of Superstar Billy Graham, confirmed he had died last Wednesday due to complications of sepsis and multiple organ failure. He began wrestling in the 70s, taking on the name Superstar Billy Graham to honor his mentor Dr. Jerry Graham as well as the Reverend Billy Graham, whom he admired. He came to fame wrestling for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), now the WWE. His sculpted physique and braggadocios personality would go on to influence other wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Graham retired from wrestling in 1987 at the age of 44. The wrestler had used steroids, which would go on to permanently damage his body. He had his first of at least 6 hip replacement surgeries in 1987. 

Despite having grown up in a broken home with a father who beat him, Graham found his way to faith in 1961 and began preaching. He pursued numerous other careers, such as football, being a bouncer, and a debt collector, before finding his way into wrestling. After his wrestling career was over, he spent his life as a staunch opponent of steroid use. In 1991, he testified against George Zahorian III, an osteopath and surgeon, who Graham stated had sold him illegal anabolic steroids in the 70s and 80s. “They’ve ruined my life. They’ve ruined my wrestling career,” he testified. “I was addicted to it. When you go off steroids, you get tremendous depression. Steroids make you feel so good so confident and make you feel like you can conquer the world. It’s almost a plague in wrestling today.” Zahorian would eventually be convicted. 

Graham would also go on to criticize the WWE as it became more sensual and graphic. In 2011, he asked to be removed from their Hall of Fame due to his objections to their programming. He also objected to the addition of Abdullah the Butcher into the Hall of Fame, criticizing the wrestler for “blading,” which involves the wrestler actually cutting themselves to make them appear more injured during a fight. “Abdullah actually is a butcher in a disturbingly real sense. In my view, the ‘Butcher’ has blotted his copybook big time by becoming a suspected spreader of Hepatitis C through his negligence when blading in the ring,” Graham said. 

Many former pro wrestlers paid tribute to Graham and acknowledged his influence on their careers. “There wouldn’t be a Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura without the in-ring success and trailblazing showmanship of Superstar Billy Graham,” wrote former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura. “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.” Speaking to TMZ, former wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin highlighted Graham’s influence. “He was great. He was all about the showmanship of it and the physique, and he was a different vibe and a helluva promo. He influenced a whole lot of people,” he said. Graham is survived by his wife, Valerie (Belkas) Coleman; his daughter, Capella Flaherty; his son, Joe Miluso; and four grandchildren.