A few years ago, we published a list of the Top 50 Innovators and who topped that list? None other than Superstar Billy Graham.
Why? Simply put, no other single wrestler influenced the style of so many other top names that themselves could be considered innovators. If you look at Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Ric Flair, Scott Steiner and many others, they all borrowed their looks, styles and talk from the WWE Hall of Famer.
Beyond influencing a generation of top stars, Superstar Billy Graham had an incredibly meaningful career. He unseated Bruno Sammartino in his second WWWF World Title reign when something like that simply wasn't done. Unlike Ivan Koloff, Graham wasn't meant simply as a traditional champion but someone who people paid to see. He was also able to reinvent himself many times over.
His relationship with WWF/E was rocky more often than not, but understandably so given the many personal and health challenges he had over the years. And that absolutely shouldn't take away from what was a successful, groundbreaking and yes, innovative, wrestling career.
Rest in peace, Superstar.
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