I love the Superstar but he is off on his own with this one. Superstar Billy Graham is demanding to be removed from the WWE Hall of Fame. The Superstar is upset with the induction of Abdullah the Butcher. Pete Rose, Drew Carey, and Bob Uecker no problem, but he draws the line with Abby?
I really like Superstar Billy Graham. The former WWWF world champion was a past guest on my Pro Wrestling Radio show and a great one at that. Additionally, he was a terrific person to get to know off the air in setting up the interview and conversations that followed. But even I, one of his biggest defenders can’t come to his rescue on this one.
“For the WWE to induct into their Hall of Fame, Abdullah The Butcher, who has never wrestled one match under a WWE contract, is bordering on blasphemy,” said Graham.
“It is a shameless organization to induct a bloodthirsty animal such as Abdullah The Butcher into their worthless and embarrassing Hall of Fame and I want the name of Superstar Billy Graham to be no part of it. The WWE and their Hall of Fame is disgustingly embarrassing, I want out.”
After watching Graham recently discuss his outright hatred for the Butcher in a recent documentary, I tend to think that this is way more personal than it should be. In taking a quick glance at the WWE Hall of Fame I would hardly point to Abby as the embarrassment of the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame includes television celebrities, professional athletes, Vince McMahon SR.’s limousine driver, and past WWE superstars that were nothing more than low-mid carders. Keep in mind that Billy didn’t seem to mind being inducted as part of the same 2004 class as Pete Rose.
It should also be noted that Billy Graham sold his WWE Hall of Ring on Ebay.
The former world champion has had a polarizing relationship with Vince McMahon and the WWE since he left the company in the late 1980s after an unsuccessful broadcasting stint. Things went well for awhile after Billy was included in the Hall of Fame and the WWE released a video and book chronicling his storied career. Two years ago Vince McMahon ended all financial and contractual obligations with the former wrestling great which has since put Billy on the warpath against the WWE.
Unfortunately rants like this will leave a bad taste in a lot of wrestling fan’s mouths. Those that never had the opportunity to speak with Billy and get to know him will never give him their full respect with continued rants like this one. I love the outspoken personality of the Superstar but at the same time I think he really needs to pick his battles when it comes to using the wrestling media.
Right battle, wrong enemy.
20 Years Too Soon – Superstar Billy Graham DVD set
WWE Legends – Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes Book
WWE Legends – Superstar Billy Graham Kindle edition
WWE Official Superstar Billy Graham T-Shirt
Grab discounted WWE DVDs, merchandise, t -shirts, figures, and more from the WWE Shop on Amazon.com