WRESTLING
What was WWE Hall of Famer ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham’s cause of death?
Graham was a three-time former world-champion professional wrestler and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.
It’s one of WWE’s darkest hours, as Wayne Coleman, better known by his ring name Superstar Billy Graham, died at the age of 79.
A professional bodybuilder who turned wrestler, Graham became one of the most iconic faces of the WWE thanks to his loudmouth personality and became an inspiration for other legends like Hulk Hogan and Jesse Ventura.
Coleman started building his legacy in fights at Madison Square Garden in the 1970s. A natural-born exhibitionist, he said he chose his alias to pay tribute to the Southern Baptist orator Billy Graham and the hit rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
His fame increased when made lure audiences and his character attracted media attention, appearing on late-night TV talk shows.
What was Billy Graham’s cause of death?
Graham, also remembered for his bouts against Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWF), was considered a star way ahead of his time, as executive chairman of WWE Vince McMahon, said before Superstar’s induction.
Graham retired from professional wrestling in 1987 and became a commentator for several promotions.
The cause of his death hasn’t been disclosed, but he had been battling ill health for some time and had been hospitalized in the ICU.
His wife, Valerie, posted Monday morning on Graham’s Facebook account that she had refused to remove his life support.
Coleman had a liver transplant back in 2002 after contracting hepatitis C and had several hip replacements. He also admitted having health issues due to taking “massive doses” of steroids during his career.