FAREWELL "SUPERSTAR" BILLY GRAHAM ... Bill Apter reporting ...

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  • čas přidán 16. 05. 2023
  • One of the most iconic wrestlers in the history of the business has died.
    RIP "Superstar" Billy Graham
  • Sport

Komentáře • 164

  • @greenonions7492
    @greenonions7492 Před rokem +73

    He passed with his family around him. That's the most you can ask for when that time comes. Rest easy, Superstar

    • @kenstoller1079
      @kenstoller1079 Před rokem +8

      I met him once with his wife shopping in Long Island. He was kind and caring to his real fans. He was truly the real deal. SUPER STAR!!

  • @MrAitraining
    @MrAitraining Před rokem +5

    The guy who hooked me. Turned on wwwf tv in 1977 in NY ch.9 midnight. He was champion for about a month at the time. I remember getting pumped up when I saw him on the cover of The wrestling mags. Bloody covers and all. Considering his health issues over the yrs, he hung on pretty good. RIP

  • @NightWarriorAlive
    @NightWarriorAlive Před rokem +25

    A cornerstone of wrestling- I wished this day would never happen. One of my all time favorite wrestlers.

  • @donwilcox728
    @donwilcox728 Před rokem +11

    Bill you and the staff of all the Stanley Weston magazines captured Superstar Graham's career like no one else. The full color cover photos of Superstar with the old WWWF world title belt are all time classics. One of my favorite memories of growing up was ordering the back issues through the mail and waiting impatiently for the magazine to arrive a few weeks later in the large manila envelope. I was only eight years old in 1977 when Superstar Graham beat Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title on my birthday, April 30th 1977. Funny Story. That same year I started ordering back issues from my weekly allowance. Despite instructions not to every week I would mail you two one dollar bills. And every week You would still mail me my magazine with a small hand written note not to send cash anymore. And the following week I'd send cash again. This went on for a few years and you never denied me. So thank you. You even published three of my hand written letters about Superstar Graham in 1981, 82 & 83. (Yes everyone the fan letters were real.) Thanks for correcting my spelling and punctuation. It was a thrill to see my name and letters in the Wrestler and Inside Wrestling. I also remember a great article you all published shortly before Superstar's return to the WWF in 1982 titled "Where is Superstar Graham?" followed by a pictorial titled "Superstar Graham's Career in Pictures." Do you recall that at all? I also remember you mostly called him Superstar Graham without the Billy. So to me I'll always remember him simply as Superstar Graham. Anyway another piece of my childhood has been ripped away. God bless Valerie for making Wayne's life so special and caring and loving him. And a special thank you to Wayne "Superstar Graham" Coleman for his lifelong sacrifice and dedication to the sport of professional wrestling. And for all the great memories from the 1970s and early 80s, the golden age of professional wrestling.

    • @MrAitraining
      @MrAitraining Před rokem +2

      Wow. That's awesome re the magazines. I remember going to my candy card store and waiting for the new mags to show up as far back as 1977. In the early 80's I had a subscription to inside wrestling and the wrestler and even ordered some back issues. I was so into it.

  • @clopper3753
    @clopper3753 Před rokem +22

    He was ahead of his time bare none. He influenced so many and many down right copied him through the years. And as professional wrestling was back then, with rings hard as concrete and the lifestyle and everything that went with it. And being paid nowhere near what wrestlers get paid these days. His story is truly a fascinating one. Let's face it in a business where most die before 50, respect needs to be given to the Superstar.
    RIP and bless you and thank you for the memories!

  • @shavingdave1
    @shavingdave1 Před rokem +4

    This one hurts. Legend. R.I.P. Superstar! We love you!

  • @garywright3523
    @garywright3523 Před rokem +3

    The Man of the Hour, the Man with the Power. RIP Superstar 🙏

  • @ccfunk1
    @ccfunk1 Před rokem +7

    RIP Superstar Billy Graham

  • @normancarr3015
    @normancarr3015 Před rokem +8

    May he rest in peace and rise in the eternal light and live immortal

  • @gary9426
    @gary9426 Před rokem +2

    Never to be forgotten...R.I.P. Superstar. 🙏✝✊

  • @BryanHoughtling
    @BryanHoughtling Před rokem +21

    RIP to a true legend. So many memories of him. 🙏🙏🙏To his friends and family.

  • @CP-kb1du
    @CP-kb1du Před rokem +2

    Childhood hero Memories ...going to the corner store reading the Wrestling Magazines .....seeing Billy inside ..... Miss u Legend

  • @aaronking7326
    @aaronking7326 Před rokem +4

    Rip brother

  • @Keranu
    @Keranu Před rokem +15

    Loved, loved, loved Billy. Always love the innovators. Rest in peace, Billy.

  • @Coodeville
    @Coodeville Před rokem +7

    The only "Superstar" of professional wrestling! RIP

  • @dalekidd420
    @dalekidd420 Před rokem +9

    I am saddened by his passing, but glad to hear that his suffering has ended. Rest in peace, and thanks for the memories.

  • @stovepipe671
    @stovepipe671 Před rokem +7

    he was way ahead of his time rip superstar

  • @MichaelSimmons.
    @MichaelSimmons. Před rokem +3

    Since the first time I saw him, in 1974, he was my favorite wrestler. RIP Superstar.

  • @MAGA-kv1nj
    @MAGA-kv1nj Před rokem +1

    The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour. A once in a lifetime legend. RIP Superstar!

  • @FuzzyWuzzy75
    @FuzzyWuzzy75 Před rokem +14

    Rest In Peace to the Superstar! As much as I hate to see this legend gone it sounds like he suffered a lot and for far too long before he passed. His suffering is at an end, there is a blessing in that.

    • @Powers3848
      @Powers3848 Před rokem +4

      He had Hep-c and underwent a liver transplants and countles, knee, hip and back surgeries and in later years was on dialysis and on a lot of medication. He talks about it in the various shoot interviews he did with Devon Nicholson through the years aka HannibalTv.

    • @MrAitraining
      @MrAitraining Před rokem +4

      It's amazing how many guys he outlived considering the health issues he had for decades. Back in the 80's I thought he'd be dead before he was 60. Still sad though. I first got into wrestling during his WWF championship reign.

    • @Powers3848
      @Powers3848 Před rokem +3

      @@MrAitraining He said himself in Hannibals shoot interviews with him that the doctors said the same and conducted it to "very, very good genes".
      And i think we all have to agree.

    • @FuzzyWuzzy75
      @FuzzyWuzzy75 Před rokem

      @MrAitraining I first got into wrestling myself around, probably 1983, I would say. I was about 7-8. I recall seeing Superstar twice on TV back then, and that was about the very end of his in ring career if memory serves me right. I didn't know anything about him or most anyone else in wrestling at the time, but I can remember it just seemed he fell off the face of the earth all of a sudden, and I didnt understand why. How could a guy that looked like that just seemingly vanish all of a sudden? A few years later, I recall hearing about all the problems he was having and how much pain he was in at that time! They were attributing all of his problems then to steroid use in those days, publicly at least. They talked about how he was visiting the locker rooms of these pro, college and high school sports teams doing these anti steroid talks trying to encourage young guys to stay away from steroids. Seeing and hearing about all the problems Superstar and Lyle Alzado were going through because of steroids back then scared me away from steroids for life.
      I hear all these different guys talking about who created the rock and roll entrance in pro wrestling. Michael Hayse is the one I have heard claim it was the Freebirds who started that. But from what I recall of seeing Superstar Billy Graham as a kid, he is the first guy I remember with not only the rock and roll entrance but just a theatrical entrance in general and it was different the two times I recall seeing him.
      In both cases, he came to the ring to Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood. One time, he had 2 hot supermodel looking babes in little bikinis on each arm. The second time, he came down to the ring riding a badass looking chopper bike with the German Army looking helmet and a black leather vest. In both cases, he was all oiled up and just ripped and showing off those muscles, lol.
      I don't know if the Superstar was the first guy with the Rock and Roll theatrical entrance or not, but I will say (either way) everybody else was about 10-15 years behind him in making their entrance look that impressive! I don't recall seeing Hulk Hogan's or Ric Flair's or Dusty Rhodes's or anyone else's entrance from that far back, but I remember Superstar Billy Graham's entrances vividly.

    • @Bay_Area_Landlord510
      @Bay_Area_Landlord510 Před rokem

      @@MrAitraining He never won the WWF title, especially in the 80’s. Now in 1979 he won the WWWF
      title[!__!]

  • @darthsebio1726
    @darthsebio1726 Před rokem +2

    ❤️Superstar Billy Graham❤️

  • @anthonychobotdoespopcultur7762

    RIP superstar

  • @david29497
    @david29497 Před rokem +5

    God wanted him for a run in on Bruno. RIP Billy.

  • @wwltd3036
    @wwltd3036 Před rokem +3

    Ten Bells for The Superstar

  • @billysikes1374
    @billysikes1374 Před rokem +9

    RIP Superstar Billy, very under appreciated in my opinion, One of my dads and my all time friends wrestlers, He was great in the ring and on the mic

  • @yoholmes273
    @yoholmes273 Před rokem

    We LOVE YOU BIll Apter!!!!
    Youre top to bottom...all class man.
    RIP to Superstar....the most influential wrestler of all time.

  • @sall4090roughcuts
    @sall4090roughcuts Před rokem +2

    there will never be another wrestler like Superstar Billy Graham -- one of greatest champions of the WWWF, WWF era -- besides Bruno -- he was one of kind with an amazing physique, charismatic, a true showman -- and gave it all to the fans -- if you grew up in that time frame you knew he was very special -- RIP - he is now wrestling Bruno for the Heavenly Championship of the Pearly Gates - Rough Cuts

  • @gilbertgen
    @gilbertgen Před rokem +1

    R.I.P super star you were ahead of your time. And inspired so many

  • @DigitalConceptz
    @DigitalConceptz Před rokem +3

    RIP Superstar 😢

  • @aw8119
    @aw8119 Před rokem +8

    The garbage can photo is iconic! Thank you for this tribute. Your magazines, especially in the 70s, certainly helped to bring the magic of Superstar Billy Graham to so many fans. May he RIP

  • @DougyFresh010
    @DougyFresh010 Před rokem +3

    RIP

  • @tresfielder3148
    @tresfielder3148 Před rokem +3

    Beautiful tribute Bill! Thank YOU for all you've done to respect the sport of wrestling entertainment. I've been reading your articles for close to 50 years now. Wow, what a legacy.

  • @markdp1983
    @markdp1983 Před rokem

    Superstar Billy Graham was one of the all time greats. Always cool to be the very first at something so big and influential.. He was always "the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour." RIP to a legend...

  • @williamwondolowski5601
    @williamwondolowski5601 Před rokem +3

    R I P TO THEE GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

  • @fjccommish
    @fjccommish Před rokem +4

    Good job remembering the Superstar, Billy Apner!

  • @mikeedmonds7929
    @mikeedmonds7929 Před rokem +3

    Superstar Billy Graham was the greatest, and a true pioneer in the business.

  • @JPS47
    @JPS47 Před rokem +3

    Hard to believe a 300 day title reign would feel like a day back then when most would take that today. RIP to the superstar

  • @asmundukkelberg8741
    @asmundukkelberg8741 Před rokem +3

    The most charismatic wrestler ever has now passed away. Rest in peace Superstar.

    • @clopper3753
      @clopper3753 Před rokem +1

      Without a doubt. So many copied his style. Without Superstar you wouldn't have had a Hulk Hogan.

  • @jamesclick8223
    @jamesclick8223 Před rokem +3

    SBG was amazing in the 70's,not sure what went wrong in the 80's SBG was cool. Loved his run in Florida. SBG vs Dusty in CWF was gold,much better than their matches in WWWF. Wish he had been champ in WWWF twice as long. RIP!

    • @MrAitraining
      @MrAitraining Před rokem +1

      His body really started breaking down in the mid 80's. He hung around a few yrs then just for his promo ability.

  • @Nightrain76
    @Nightrain76 Před rokem +1

    RIP to the man of the hour.

  • @gorillabrain8142
    @gorillabrain8142 Před rokem +2

    Oh Man!... This is news I never ever wanted to hear. He had a lot of health issues but I always hoped he would pull through. One of my all time favourite wrestlers The afterlife just got a little brighter.

  • @jrwizz
    @jrwizz Před rokem +2

    The world lost a superstar last night 😢

  • @scottcassulis6062
    @scottcassulis6062 Před rokem +3

    God Bless The Superstar Billy Graham soul 😢 I can picture him right now looking at The American Dream Dusty Rhodes cutting promos on each other I can picture the grand wizard of Wrestling saying to Superstar Billy Graham there's my champion Bruno Sammartino having a Rematch with the Superstar.

  • @jamiepreston1490
    @jamiepreston1490 Před rokem +2

    Oh how sad. RIP Big Man.

  • @dibber43
    @dibber43 Před rokem +1

    Rest in Peace, Billy Graham🙏

  • @cowpalacedave
    @cowpalacedave Před rokem

    I saw Superstar Billy Graham wrestle at the Cow Palace in 1970/1971. RIP sir! 🙏

  • @zacharythomason7359
    @zacharythomason7359 Před rokem +3

    RIP to you Superstar🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😎😎😎😎😎😎👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

  • @jameshoward8219
    @jameshoward8219 Před rokem +4

    Rest in Peace my brother praying for the family

  • @ralphvaccaro2638
    @ralphvaccaro2638 Před rokem +1

    RIP Kind Sir GOD Bless

  • @defaultusername123
    @defaultusername123 Před rokem +2

    A visionary, a Superstar, and a great wrestler. R.I.P. Billy Graham, hope he is with the people he lost and loved

  • @SoelGriffin
    @SoelGriffin Před rokem

    RIP, Superstar, and thanks for all the memories

  • @randytharrington
    @randytharrington Před rokem +3

    #RIPSuperstarBillyGraham #LegendsNeverDie

  • @howardprincz9372
    @howardprincz9372 Před rokem

    Superstar Billy Graham was one of the nicest human beings god brought us on this planet. A beautiful person, artistic, and a real living legend. may you rest in peace, sir!

  • @lelandkarpe5882
    @lelandkarpe5882 Před rokem +6

    My favorite of all time. May his memory live on forever. My condolences to his family

  • @abdelbabytigerbenjamin6615

    May you Rest In Peace in heaven Superstar Billy Graham 🙏

  • @firstelvys
    @firstelvys Před rokem +2

    As a fan of the rulebreakers, Superstar was always one of my faves. Saw so many of his fights against the top talent of the day. I especially liked his fights with Mil Mascaras.

    • @MrAitraining
      @MrAitraining Před rokem +1

      "Rulebreakers" I can tell you're an oldie like me. Back in the 70's and 80's that's what they were called. Not heels. Wrestling mag days.

  • @jblack4644
    @jblack4644 Před rokem +1

    Wow. I literally just watched SuperStar Billy Graham online a couple of hours ago.

  • @elc1960
    @elc1960 Před rokem +3

    Thanks Bill. Very nicely and sensitively done. Condolences to Valerie and Superstar's two daughters. Glad I got to see Billy defend the WWWF title once, against Chief Jay Strongbow. RIP Wayne Coleman.

  • @cruznewz6396
    @cruznewz6396 Před rokem +1

    What a Life!
    The accomplishments are endless.
    A liver transplant ,I believe back in the 90's. Survived 25+ years.
    Sold out Madison Square Garden more times then Bruno.
    His promo skills set the bar for all future talent.
    Inspired many future Super Stars.
    Hogan, Steiner, Jesse, Idol...
    Super Star was there during the birth of Bodybuilding. Trained with Arnold.
    Participated in one of the earliest Strong Man competitions.
    Held his own in Professional Arm Wresting
    Competitions.
    What A Life Lived!!!
    God Bless The Soul Of Super Star "Billy Graham".
    Cruzer
    In
    Waterbury, CT

  • @chriszaun8984
    @chriszaun8984 Před rokem

    RIP superstar,you were one of the first wrestlers I saw as a very little kid watching wrestling for the first time

  • @danlowe8684
    @danlowe8684 Před rokem +3

    I remember his AWA arm wrestling matches against Wahoo McDaniel...the last one they had their free arm tied with a rope to the turnbuckles to prevent foreign objects from entering into the fray...Jesse The Body owes his career to SBG...Thanks for the post.

  • @davidcoleman9317
    @davidcoleman9317 Před rokem

    Rest in Peace CHAMP. I will always cherish the time you spent in Baltimore with me and my brother Ernie. We were your biggest fans. Thanks

  • @stankormy5717
    @stankormy5717 Před rokem

    Thanks for all the memories Superstar!

  • @hpshifter7783
    @hpshifter7783 Před rokem

    RIP Super⭐You are one of the greatest to lace them up.

  • @dustinbasham393
    @dustinbasham393 Před rokem +7

    Great tribute, Bill. I hate having to watch these videos because it's hard to see you say goodbye to another friend, but you always do such a great job. RIP Superstar! Few will ever deserve that moniker as much as you 💪

    • @Deepizzaguy
      @Deepizzaguy Před rokem

      Billy was a true living legend that will never be replaced.

  • @KirkLee1983
    @KirkLee1983 Před rokem +3

    R.I.P

  • @spotcenternanana-nanana2413

    He was the first wrestling champion I knew. And only because "cable" came to town and while spending Saturday nights at my grandparents, my grandmother would stay up with me to watch WWWF on this new WOR TV channel we got at midnights after harness racing. RIP another hero.

  • @Deepizzaguy
    @Deepizzaguy Před rokem

    My memories of the late Superstar Billy Graham was his bravado as wrestling champ under Vince McMahon Senior, his name being similar to the late preacher and his ringwork. Billy is gone but he will never be forgotten by his fans.

  • @leeberry689
    @leeberry689 Před rokem

    One of my all-time greats. Next to Ric Flair, I had more photos of SUPERSTAR in my scrapbook as a kid than anyone else.

  • @richardthompson6366
    @richardthompson6366 Před rokem

    Superstar was a mythical legend that for most of us only existed in the pages of Wrestling magazines back in the day.

  • @Bone74838
    @Bone74838 Před rokem +6

    I was not there during his title run because i was too young. I came into wrestling when at the time the then "WWF" had its Rock 'n' Wrestling era, when Terrymania was at its peak in the mid 1980's. But i fell in love with Wayne Coleman decades later via his shoot interviews and going back to watching his matches and his history and seeing how charismatic he was and learning and coming to know that the most popular wrestlers that came after him, had copied everything off of him. Unbeknown to a lot of ppl, he was also a very talented artist and drew many wonderful paintings through the years.
    I knew for a long time that his health was really bad and failing due to tremendous steroid abuse over the decades as well as he underwent a liver transplant due to hep-c and was on many, many medications.
    RIP! You really put the S in Superstar! You will be so missed but you will never be forgotten! ❣❣❣❤❤❤❤❤❤🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯🕯

  • @tomfrank2919
    @tomfrank2919 Před 10 měsíci

    Rest in peace Superstar
    Thank you for everything that you brought to us you fought the good fight. You finished the race I am sure you were greeted with well done my good and faithful servant. I was so fortunate to live through that golden age of wrestling from the mid-60s until about 1980 I was about sixteen years old when you came around and you bought such magnificent charisma and my friends and I used to imitate your interviews you got so many of us into weightlifting before it became a trendy thing like it is now we're people join a gym because they think that's what they're supposed to do you truly were and always will be the man of the hour the man with the power too sweet to be sour!
    Thank you again my friend we all love!!

  • @44HardCase
    @44HardCase Před rokem +3

    Prayers and condolences for Superstar’s family and friends. I really enjoy watching his Classic matches with my children. He was a great Champion, a true Legend, and will be sorely missed.

  • @junioralsept9335
    @junioralsept9335 Před rokem

    RIP Superstar.. Condolences to his wife and family.. First time I saw him was in Georgia Championship Wrestling many years ago...

  • @MrButaqua
    @MrButaqua Před rokem

    I remember seeing that iconic photo of him in NYC classic…… condolences 🙏

  • @waihungwong590
    @waihungwong590 Před rokem

    Superstar Billy Graham R.I.P pioneer of the business

  • @Bosnerdly
    @Bosnerdly Před rokem +2

    I started watching wrestling in the late 70s, but I never saw SuperStar Billy Graham. I was aware of him, and he seemed so cool! Just looking at him, you can tell he was way ahead of his time and obviously inspired a lot of the superstars I grew up with.

  • @michaelcalero1119
    @michaelcalero1119 Před rokem

    R.I.P
    Superstar Billy Graham

  • @patrickkelley6212
    @patrickkelley6212 Před rokem

    Goodbye Superstar! RIP!

  • @marcm9999
    @marcm9999 Před rokem

    My all time favorite wrestler of all time. RIP Superstar.

  • @natureboy1313
    @natureboy1313 Před rokem

    My fav pro wrassler. A true icon of the business.

  • @bigroy38
    @bigroy38 Před rokem

    Bless your heart,Bill.

  • @rockinyouallnight
    @rockinyouallnight Před rokem +2

    I loved The Superstar. Thanks for doing this heartfelt tribute, Bill. Superstar Billy Graham: Forever The World's Champion.

  • @Keranu
    @Keranu Před rokem +3

    Dusty crucifying Billy with a rope is one of my favorite moments in pro wrestling ever.

    • @MrAitraining
      @MrAitraining Před rokem +2

      I remember that magazine cover! Blood and all.

    • @Keranu
      @Keranu Před rokem

      @@MrAitraining Billy said it was his favorite match, and I believe spreading his arms outward in a crucifix was a spur of the moment idea. Beautiful symbology, intense theatrics.

  • @royeastham5277
    @royeastham5277 Před rokem

    Rest In The Loving Arms Of Jesus…Superstar Billy Graham! 🕊️

  • @nickcurrier1546
    @nickcurrier1546 Před rokem

    I used to own that DVD set of the superstar. RIP Billy Graham

  • @wa2k99
    @wa2k99 Před rokem

    Awesome book and DVD documentary. I wish I had been around for SBG's prime. I'm sad he's gone, but I'm almost happy that he no longer will suffer. Prayers for Valerie.

  • @willsee1404
    @willsee1404 Před rokem

    RIP to the Real Superstar ❤️

  • @derrickgibson3240
    @derrickgibson3240 Před rokem +1

    I just watched his bull rope match with Dusty, it was short and sweet, full of intensity and heat, something that is sorely missed in wrestling today. Rest in Peace Superstar.

  • @blaircarnegie2738
    @blaircarnegie2738 Před rokem

    Well said Bill , thank you !

  • @joemccann4373
    @joemccann4373 Před rokem

    Bill , you are a great guy

  • @SamsonTJ423
    @SamsonTJ423 Před rokem

    RIP Superstar ⭐⭐⭐

  • @user-vg9lw1ku2z
    @user-vg9lw1ku2z Před rokem

    Professional wrestling owes a lot to the Superstar . I watched him win the championship on TV

  • @stephenrogers4537
    @stephenrogers4537 Před rokem +1

    SUPERSTAR GRAHAM 🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🛎🏆🙏🥇

  • @ronbrown7941
    @ronbrown7941 Před rokem

    R.I.P. to a legend

  • @albertdemello1023
    @albertdemello1023 Před rokem

    RIP Superstar.......

  • @DanielGarcia-us7tf
    @DanielGarcia-us7tf Před rokem

    Sensational Superstar

  • @christianhoneyman9001

    So sad to hear. RIP. 🙏

  • @jamesdotson4458
    @jamesdotson4458 Před rokem

    Godspeed, SuperStar

  • @weaselsuit
    @weaselsuit Před rokem

    Rest easy big man.