10 Real Wrestler Names 100% Cooler Than Their Ring Names

7. Billy Graham (Eldridge Coleman)

Ricky Steamboat Richard Dick Blood
WWE

Billy Graham's run is proof positive that a nickname is one of the most important aspects of someone's presentation. Built like a mountain of muscle and with charisma for days, Bill was known as 'Superstar'. He certainly was one of those, but Billy Graham sounds like someone you went to school with.

"Little Billy Graham" from down the street.

Behind the scenes, Graham was actually called Eldridge Coleman. Now that's a heel name, isn't it? Hell, 'Superstar' Eldridge Coleman also works well for a musclebound warrior. Hmm, perhaps yours truly just has iconic bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman on the brain there. Nah, ol' Eldridge sounds good.

Being brutally honest, Billy Graham always sounded just a little too bland for someone as colourful and flamboyant as 'Superstar'. He needed a quirkier name to help lavish more attention on him (if that was even possible back during the man's prime), and Eldridge Coleman is just odd enough.

Wasn't to be.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.