Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes

by Billy Graham, Keith Elliot Greenberg

Presents the autobiography of one of the most influential professional wrestlers of the past thirty years, from his Texas childhood to his careers as a bodybuilder, bouncer, evangelist, pro football player, and trainer.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2006

Reviews

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superstar Billy recounts his childhood and young adult life as a Christian pastor, then as a low-level grappler, to big time wrestling star; to drug abuse; anger; depression; comeback; retirement; hip replacement; liver transplant and, finally, return to grace. He is brutally honest about his flaws such as the aforementioned drug addiction, disloyalty to his friends and mentors, putting his wife - the true hero of this book - through all kinds of hell and sabotaging his own career because of resentment and jealousy. He goes out of his way to praise nearly everyone while downplaying himself while subtley sending out the Christian message of rebellion, repentence, forgiveness and salvation.

[Vincent T. Ciaramella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a fan of old professional wrestling and weight lifting this was a must read. Superstar Billy Graham is such an influential wrestler and character that without him there would be no Hulk Hogan or Rick Flair. Sadly drugs and bad financial choices sent his career into a tailspin. I guess his life story could serve as a cautionary tale to all that dabble in steroids and other performance enhancers. If you want to destroy your body just for 15 minutes of fame then by all means follow in this guys foot steps.

I really enjoyed reading about his time in wrestling before the WWWF (WWF now WWE) became this giant that it is today. Graham's era of wrestling was more like Time Square in the 1970's then the flash and entertainment spot it is today. Gritty, dirty, dangerous and filled with drugs, Graham took sports entertainment in a new direction leading towards the Rock & Wrestling Era of the 80's into the Attitude era of the late 90's/early 00.

As a weight lifter I enjoyed reading about his time at Golds with Arnold. It would have been awesome to work out with these guys just once in their prime.

The reason it gets 3 out of 5 stars is it grows depressing at times and I don't think I'll ever re-read it.

[John Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy seemed to have become too much of a mark for himself and took the 70s WWWF booking too seriously. He seems honest about his character flaws, and the early parts of the book about becoming an evangelical preacher and then getting into wrestling via Dr. Jerry Graham are great. One of the better wrestling autobiographies, and surprisingly good considering it is WWE authorized.

[David Yasuo Henna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ebook on pro wrestling that I ever read--mentions many pro wrestlers.

Superstar Billy Graham set the mood for many wrestlers with his arrogant attitude and flamboyant muscle posing, but steroid abuse did him in and he honestly admits he has
limited technical skills and he admits lying about witnessing Pat Patterson hit on
underaged ring boys hoping that the more he discredited WWF the more money he could get in a settlement. I always thought Vince McMahon was a jerk, but he treated Graham very well when he almost died from a failed liver, calling him at the hospital and inducting him in Hall of Fame.

[Michael Rickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The man who became pro wrestler "Superstar" Billy Graham does a good job describing his rise and very painful fall. Anyone familiar with Graham's story knows his post-wrestling career was nothing short of a mess and while this memoir covers everything up to the early 2000s, it would be great to see something covering the next 20+years until his passing. Plenty of road stories for wrestling fans as well as tributes by wrestlers who Graham inspired.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Growing up in the Seventies, all boys wanted to be Superstar! This book takes you behind the curtain and shows you the good and he bad; the highs and the lows.

[Danny Proffitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

His career was nearly over. When i began watching wrestling he influenced so many stars of wrestling.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent!!

What a Fantastic read about the one and only Superstar Billy Graham The GOAT!!
highly recommended read and God bless you brother Billy and your wonderful wife!!

[Ahmed Almalahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The early years of Superstar up until the early 80s were a wild ride. "I am the women's pet, the men's regret." Superstar was one of a kind, for sure.

[Steve DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read!!

Billy was my childhood hero, and reading his book was a thrill. I really recommend this...I am a college prof now, yet my life long dream was to be like Superstar.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. Graham has to be the greatest dabbler of all time: a strongman, an evangelist, a pro football washout, a steroid addict, a star high school athlete, an asshole, a criminal, and an absolute gene yuss on top of it. If you're looking for only-in-America stories of cunning Elmer Gantry types who bullshitted their way to the top, this is one of them. And the "with" format seems to work here, as the co-author has managed to capture the weird cadences of Graham's grandiose speaking style (which Graham himself claims was fuelled partly by his extraordinary consumption of drugs of all kinds). While you're at it, watch some YouTube interviews with this guy: it's amazing to watch him freely confess to his own crimes/sins/whatever, then soldier forth to sin again. And because he was so brilliant--not at anything in particular, but just at being himself--everyone gives him the benefit of the doubt, over and over again...even Vince McMahon, whose career Graham would've happily ruined in the early 90s in exchange for a couple of bucks and some TV exposure.

[Juxhin Deliu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Largely enjoyable due to its verbosity and sincere recollection. Every phase of Graham's life is well-analyzed: his upbringing, faith experiences, football and bodybuilding ventures, and at the top, his influential pro wrestling carreer (spanning almost two decades and changing the face of the business). He also touches his struggle against own "personal demons" without a single trace of self-indulgence; really respectable by him, other than touching.

[Ray Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are an an old school wrestling fan of a certain age like me (I'm 47), you will LOVE this excellent insight into the life of Wayne, aka Superstar Billy Graham.

There's no holding back, very warts and all, sickness, injury, drug abuse. Billy tells all with no regard to kayfabe whatsoever. He worked almost everywhere and his stories of the old time guys are extremely interesting.

It's well written, entertaining and most enlightning.

Thankyou for 3 days of wonderful reading, Superstar!

[Brandon O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preacher. Bodybuilder. Drug addict. WWF Champion. Quite a unique combination for the Superstar who was 20 years ahead of his time. He was among the 1st wrestlers to be ripped, dress outlandishly, and entertain on the mic more than with his skills. This book isn't usually included in the best insider wrestling books, but I really enjoyed it.

[Jason Parker]

A hard look at the life of a professional wrestler. At times sad, funny, and moving, "Superstar" pulls no punches and ducks no topics in this very honest biography.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book. I couldn't put it down.

[Damon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully hard hitting. Very well done Billy!