10 Things You Didn't Know About Superstar Billy Graham
2. Without Billy Graham, There Would Be No Hogan, Steiner, HHH, Jesse Ventura Or Countless Others...
The list of successful pro wrestlers that were obviously inspired by The Superstar is a long and impressive one. In addition to his unique look and muscular physique, generations of wrestlers have borrowed from The Superstars well-thumbed book of promo skills and showmanship. In this department, one name springs immediately to mind, Ric Flair. Flair first met Graham after graduating from Verne Gagnes training camp in 1972. He hung around Graham for ages, learning all he could from him. He would even pick Graham up from the airport and drive him around. It was Billy Grahams then-wife that gave Flair his first bleach job, creating a look that has since become iconic in professional wrestling. Today, Flair admits that he modelled his legendary promos on those of The Superstar. Hes not alone... Former WCW Champion Scott Steiner also appropriated Billy Grahams look, sporting his heros two-tone goatee and steroid-enhanced physique to great success over a 30-year career. But even Steiner is not alone in this regard. Modern fans cannot fail to notice the striking similarity between the towering presence of Triple H and the unmistakeable figure of The Superstar. The influence of the latter upon the former is shocking to behold. In fact, Trips has gone on record as saying that Superstar is the most copied guy in the business. Yet another wrestling star that borrowed heavily from the Billy Graham persona was Jesse The Body Ventura. In addition to becoming a big star in both the AWA and the WWF, Jesse worked as a commentator in the WWF, as an actor in Hollywood (screen credits include Predator, Demolition Man and The X-Files) and was elected Governor of Minnesota in 1999. Graham even helped his on-screen nemesis Bob Backlund transition from amateur to professional wrestling whilst he was working for Verne Gagnes AWA in Minnesota... It can also be argued that almost every bodybuilder that worked in pro wrestling from the 80s onwards owes a debt to Graham. From The Legion of Doom/Road Warriors and The Ultimate Warrior to British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, Ravishing Rick Rude and beyond, thats a lot of names... Then, there was Hulk Hogan... As a young fan, Terry Bollea was mesmerized by The Superstar (and it shows in the later performances of his alter ego, Hulk Hogan). Just as Nature Boy Ric Flair nicked his gimmick from Nature Boy Buddy Rogers and Ed The Strangler Lewis took his from Evan The Strangler Lewis, Hulk Hogan appropriated The Superstars gimmick wholesale. The fiery promos, the bodybuilder pose-downs, the use of the term Pythons to describe his arms, the cocky hand to the ear poses, even the headbands, feather boas and tie-dyed ring attire, all were taken from The Superstar. In essence, Hulk Hogan is the worlds most successful cosplayer. Billy Graham was, quite literally, decades ahead of his time, but by the time the times caught up with him (dodgy sentence, I know), The Superstar was unable to wrestle due to years of steroid and drug abuse literally eating away at his body from within. The time WAS right for Hogan, however... Seeing a newer, younger version of The Superstar, with the same charisma, presence and look, Vince Jr pushed Hogan to the moon and the pair reaped the (many) financial rewards of Hogans babyface run, changing the wrestling industry forever in the process. Hogan, who quite possibly even got his start in the AWA due to his resemblance to Graham (a proven draw in that territory) owes it all to The Superstar. What you gonna do when The Superstar runs wild on you? Billy Graham used to ask the fans. Apparently, Hulk Hogan was the one fan that finally answered the question.
I am a professional author and lifelong comic books/pro wrestling fan. I also work as a journalist as well as writing comic books (I also draw), screenplays, stage plays, songs and prose fiction.
I don't generally read or reply to comments here on What Culture (too many trolls!), but if you follow my Twitter (@heyquicksilver), I'll talk to you all day long!
If you are interested in reading more of my stuff, you can find it on http://quicksilverstories.weebly.com/ (my personal site, which has other wrestling/comics/pop culture stuff on it).
I also write for FLiCK http://www.flickonline.co.uk/flicktion, which is the best place to read my fiction work.
Oh yeah - I'm about to become a Dad for the first time, so if my stuff seems more sentimental than usual - blame it on that!
Finally, I sincerely appreciate every single read I get. So if you're reading this, thank you, you've made me feel like Shakespeare for a day! (see what I mean?)
Latcho Drom,
- CQ
