Revered wrestlers who’ve offered countless precious memories for fans leaving life behind are one of the most painful experiences as a wrestling fan. Sadly, the wrestling world recently lost one of its top pioneers who had “superstar” written all over his name, personality, and ability to make it. It is with deep regret that we inform you that Superstar Billy Graham left the world for a heavenly abode today.
He was a part of the early driving force that brought wrestling to the mainstream. The wrestling world united to honor his legacy and work. Many past and present noteworthy wrestling personalities came together to express their gratitude to Graham.
The wrestling world joined hands to remember the legacy of Superstar Billy Graham
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Billy Graham was dealing with an ear and skull infection and was hospitalized for treatment in January 2023. He showed no signs of improvement, and his health worsened over the next three months. During that time span, Graham had lost 80 pounds and was undergoing treatment for heart, lung, and kidney problems.
Last week, the medical personnel put Billy Graham on life support. However, due to various complications, the superstar passed away on May 17, 2023. This came three weeks before he was about to turn 80. Many wrestlers came together to extend their condolences and gratitude for the legendary superstar on Twitter.
The 16-time World Champion Ric Flair called Billy an enormous influence on his career.
The Superstar Billy Graham Just Left Us 🙏🏻 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFLUENCE On My Career! pic.twitter.com/YH0eT2NM4p
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 18, 2023
Members of the active wrestling landscape, Paul Heyman, Zelina Vega, Matt Cardona, and Nick Aldis, also came forward to express their thoughts about Billy Graham.
Before Billy Graham, performers in WWWF / WWF/ WWE were known as professional wrestlers. After Billy Graham left his mark, Vincent Kennedy McMahon decided everyone would be a WWE Superstar. A most heartfelt RIP to the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour! pic.twitter.com/bwL6UQ3c3h
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) May 18, 2023
RIP Superstar Billy Graham.. he was so sweet to me when we met back in 2011. My condolences to his family 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/TuiK9ECmK0
— 👑 QUEEN ZELINA 👑 (@ZelinaVegaWWE) May 18, 2023
RIP Superstar.
Quite possibly the biggest game-changer of all time. Because of Billy Graham, we got Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, not to mention countless others who made fortunes borrowing from this man. Say his name and remember him.
"Superstar" Billy Graham. 1943-2023 pic.twitter.com/7ZVqs4muo3
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) May 18, 2023
Doesn’t get enough credit. RIP Superstar https://t.co/SPUvOfPg1Z
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 18, 2023
Furthermore, fellow WWE legends like Sgt. Slaughter, The Iron Shiek, Rikishi, The Honky Tonk Man, and Vince Russo honored Graham.
SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM. ONE OF MY FIRST TEACHERS OF THE HEAT. THE REAL LEGEND BUBBA. HE LOVE ME I LOVE HIM. TOGETHER WE HIT THE GYM AND SHOCK THE EARTH. I LOVE YOU FOREVER BROTHER. RIP pic.twitter.com/0UEIy2HNgt
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) May 18, 2023
Eldridge Wayne Coleman💪🏻A Master On The Microphone🎤& One of The “Greatest” Promo’s In Our Glorious Business🫵🏻 R.I.P. Superstar Billy Graham🙏🏻
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) May 18, 2023
Condolences go out to the Superstar Billy Graham family. HTM and Billy met in Memphis many years ago. We became friends. Such a nice guy to be around. God Bless you!
— Honky Tonk Man® (@OfficialHTM) May 18, 2023
🙏🏾 sir .. https://t.co/CrswMerREC
— RIKISHI (@TheREALRIKISHI) May 18, 2023
There was no wrestler in the HISTORY of the Business that was so Far Ahead of His Time than "SuperStar" Billy Graham. If you weren't around to see him—you really missed something. He was it, man. He was it.
— Vince Russo (@THEVinceRusso) May 18, 2023
So what was the allure of the deceased superstar that attracted such sincere attention and affection?
Billy Graham was indeed a ‘Superstar’ much like his name
The native of Phoenix, Arizona, broke into the wrestling world during the 1970s and rose to prominence by the 1980s. Billy Graham had notable feuds with superstars such as Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. Moreover, Graham’s unique style and persona heavily influenced many wrestlers who came after him, and he played a significant role in shaping the industry.
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He held the WWWF (now WWE) World Heavyweight Championship on one occasion as well. Triple H himself credited Graham for being a major influence in pursuing a wrestling career and inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2014.
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Billy Graham may have left us, but his mark on the wrestling world will remain etched in the hearts of many for generations to come.
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