"Superstar" Billy Graham didn't just play a character; he drafted the blueprint for the modern professional wrestler. When people say he was "20 years too soon," they’re pointing to the fact that Graham was a 1980s-style sports entertainer living in a 1970s territory world.
Here is a look at why Graham was the ultimate pioneer and how his influence still dominates the industry today. The Prototype for the "Larger than Life" Era 20 Years Too Soon: Superstar Billy Graham YIFY
Graham’s historic WWWF Heavyweight Championship run in 1977-78 ended because the "old guard" believed the title had to be on a traditional babyface hero like Bob Backlund. Had Graham been in his prime in 1984 during the birth of WrestleMania, he wouldn't have just been a champion; he likely would have been the global face of the WWF instead of Hogan. "Superstar" Billy Graham didn't just play a character;
Before Graham, promos were usually short, dry, and focused on the upcoming match. Graham channeled Muhammad Ali, delivering rhythmic, rhyming, and boastful monologues. He called himself "the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour." The Prototype for the "Larger than Life" Era
Graham was a "heel" (villain), but he was so charismatic that fans started cheering for him. This was a massive problem for the rigid "good vs. evil" booking of the 70s. The promoters didn't know how to handle a bad guy who sold out arenas because people thought he was cool. This "cool heel" archetype wouldn't become the industry standard until the and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the late 90s. The Tragedy of Timing