Wwe Legends - Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes

A little background: I grew up in Central Illinois, and began watching "All Star Wrestling" on Saturday mornings. I would see these bulky bruisers like Nick Bockwinkle and "Da Crusher!", and really thought this stuff was real. Then, out of nowhere, came this flamboyant, trash-talking, electrifying persona called Superstar Billy Graham, with his tie-dyed tights, Elton-John rhinestone sunglasses, and the biggest, baddest, most impressive physique I'd ever seen. He was unreal, and for the next year or so, he was THE GUY to watch for during the telecasts. Then, just as suddenly, he disappeared. Vanished. The TV wrestling went on, and I sort of lost interest, and always wondered what happened to that Superstar Billy Graham guy. Well, read this book, and you'll find out the whole story. Being so regionalized in those days, unless you were a hard-core wrestling hound, it would have been difficult TO know what happened to him in the intervening years. What happened to him was he moved on to the NY region, was a smash hit in the NY area, got major juice as the heel to beat, won the belt in a titanic match, held it for about a year, sold out arenas everywhere he went, and then was forced to give up the belt to a true Baby Face named Bob Backlund, (WHO???), got messed up in his head and heart, got into drugs, and became - even more quickly than he arrived - one of the saddest also-rans in the business. Never ever regaining the Superstar persona that had so electrified crowds in the mid to late 70's. You'll find out more about Wayne Coleman than you'd ever like to know otherwise. Its a fascinating backstage view of pro wrestling in the kayfabe era, and what it was really like to be a performer in those days. You'll discover the ups and downs of steroid use/abuse, and how it prematurely depletes the body of its essential elements. You'll meet a man who gave his life to one of the strangest forms of sport/entertainment on the planet, and find out what happens when the ride is over. Its a very telling, and really well written book. Its a very honest, personable account that makes you feel you've actually met Wayne Coleman. Its easy to see how a lot of people could really not like him, but this fascinating account of who "The Superstar" really is and was is extremely interesting and compelling. I enjoyed reading this book very much, (similar to how I felt reading Gene Simmons book on KISS.) I don't endorse pro wrestling at all. In all honesty, its about as Satanic an expression as exists these days. But for filling in a long ago mystery of what happened to the "Superstar Billy Graham," this book does all that and more. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know the full story of the granddaddy of all modern wrestlers.

Very insightful autobiography by the Superstar. A man who became one of the top stars of the W.W.W.F. due to his showmanship and ming-boggling physique. His learning the trade in Stu Hart's infamous "Dungeon" (where many pro wrestlers have trained)and comments by SBG of "working" with various opponents are especially interesting. The Superstar's perserverence through the health problems caused by his former steroid use/abuse, his falling out with the W.W.F./W.W.E. and subsequent reconcilliation with the company are covered as well by SBG. An outstanding account of his life from the man who influenced many future pro wrestling stars, including Hulk Hogan (arguably wrestling's greatest star, which I say because I feel Bruno Sammartino was the greatest). The matches between SBG and Bruno are among the best of all, which SBG describes. Definitely should be read by wrestling fans of his era, when this type of information wasn't available to us fans of this "sport".

Colorful, exciting, controversial, innovative....all those words describe Wayne Coleman. The man known the world over as "Superstar" Billy Graham! From his days as traveling minister to his rise and fall in professional wrestling to his drug/steroid use to his near death in 2001, his story is very interesting! True, there are some questionable things in it but overall, I think the man was sincere and real in what he was saying. Its a very good read and whether you like the man or hate him, this book is anything BUT boring! If anything, his tale is a cautionary one. I was also particularly impressed with his wife, Valerie. I really felt for this woman and no one (not even Graham himself) would've blamed her if she would've said ENOUGH but she truly loved this man enough to tough it out with him through all his drug habits and health issues so for that, she definitely deserves props! All in all, it is both an eye opening and even inspiriation book at times! Take a ride with the man that lift barbell plates, ate T-bone steaks, who was sweeter than a German chocolate cake! The reflection of perfection, the number one selection, what you see is what you get and what you don't see is better yet! The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour! He floated like a butterfly, stung like a bee, there was no one as beautiful and as powerful as he! He is "Superstar" Billy Graham!

Mick Foley set the bar very high for wrestlers who choose to write their autobiography and those of us who are wrestling fans should thank him.Ric Flair's and Freddie Blassie's were two that I read and enjoyed and now comes Superstar Billy Graham.How does his measure up ? Very well indeed.Early in the book when Billy talks about his religious beliefs I winced,fearing it would be "lecturing" in tone.But no, Billy tells the reader how he feels and what he believes and moves along.In fact the entire book moves along nicely,never once bogging down.The toll that drugs,(legal and otherwise) took on him is sobering.Billy doesn't whine or make excuses.In fact it should be noted that steroids were not illegal when he was taking them.The stories are terrific,many of them laugh out loud funny.My only regret is that Billy doesn't talk more about Ernie Roth, "The Grand Wizard".Billy and TGW had a special chemistry.Their interviews were priceless.But beyond that I have no complaints. Billy was special.And so is this book.Read it.You'll be glad you did.

WOW!!! Superstar Billy Graham's life is truly the stuff that Legends are made of. What an incredible story. It ran the gamut of human emotions. This book is so far beyond simply being a "Wrestling" book. As a life long wrestling fan I highly recommend the Superstars autobiography. An absolutely fascinating and completely entertaining read.