"20 Years Too Soon:  The Superstar Billy Graham Story"

REVIEW BY:  Johnny Dakota

"I'm the man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour.  I'm the women's pet and the men's regret, and what you DON"T see, is better yet!"  -  Superstar Billy Graham

            This DVD is one that I have looked forward to since the day I read the announcement that it was being released.  Superstar Billy Graham has for many years, been credited as revolutionizing wrestling with his charisma, style, character, and interview skills, all of which have been copied and used by countless stars over the past 25 years.  Many younger fans or casual fans have not seen much of Superstar Billy Graham, being his WWWF World Championship title run was in 1977-78.  This DVD covers Superstar’s entire career, beginning with his early life all the way to the controversial steroid case in the early 90’s, to Superstar’s WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2004.  The documentary portion is well done, as Superstar himself goes over his life and career in detail.  Superstar had a look that definitely revolutionized wrestling.  In a period in wrestling where most wrestlers were plain looking, and wore plain wrestling attire, Superstar Billy Graham exploded onto the scene with his tie die tights and shirts, feather boas, over the top hats and more.  Many instances are shown of wrestlers who followed Superstar or even modeled themselves after him, most notably Jesse “The Body” Ventura” and even Hulk Hogan.  A good portion of the DVD shows Superstars many looks and styles and how revolutionary it was for the time and really brought the entertainment factor that has carried on to wrestling today.  We then move on to Superstars many problems he endured in his life, beginning with his steroid abuse, which produced his massive physique he was known for worldwide.  And then in 1978 when he lost the WWWF title to Bob Backlund and how it caused him to completely leave the business for the better part of 2 years, feeling he was cut short on what would have led to an even bigger run as World Champion.  When he returned in 1982, Superstars look had changed drastically, including his physique not being near what it was.  His run in 82 did not last long, and his new look that included a karate master character, did not either.  Footage is next shown of Superstars return to the WWF in 1986, back to his former bright colors and classic interview style.  This time his return to the ring did not last, as his years of steroid abuse had finally caught up with him, and his hip and ankle both required surgery, and a career in the ring was not possible anymore.  After not even being physically able to travel, Superstar was released from the WWF.  Bitter over the circumstances, Superstar embarked on a crusade to blame Vince McMahon and the WWE for his years of steroid abuse.  Superstar admittedly lied at the time about Vince McMahon’s involvement in his steroid use, and has since apologized for the controversy he caused in the early 90’s.  We move on now to later in the 90’s where Superstar discovered his liver was failing, and the story of his life saving operation is told, including a last minute liver transplant from a young girl who died in a car crash.  We then see the footage of the first time Superstar arrives backstage at a WWE event for the first time in 15 years and his first in person meeting with Vince McMahon, as well as the new stars of the WWE.  We then see highlights of Superstar’s hall of fame induction and his feelings on being welcomed back to WWE.

The Extras on the DVD feature some classic Superstar matches, including some that have never been seen in DVD quality, including: 

Superstar Billy Graham vs. Bruno Sammartino (Superstars WWWF Title win)

Superstar Billy Graham vs. Ivan Putski (Great WWWF title defense from Madison Square Garden with an electric crowd for this one)

Superstar Billy Graham vs. Dusty Rhodes (WWWF title Texas Death Match, another classic rare match that new school fans could learn from)

Superstar Billy Graham vs. Bob Backlund (This is one of the 1982 matches with Graham ill-fated karate master character, Superstar looks nothing like his former self)

Overall, this DVD is great for anyone who’s heard the Superstar Billy Graham stories but never seen him.  Graham definitely innovated and set a new standard in wrestling that many guys have copied and followed, and this DVD is the proof.  Personally I’m a fan of rare footage that you can not just see anywhere, so I would have like a 2 disc set on Superstar with even more matches, but overall I would definitely pick this DVD up, as this kind of stuff is a rarity, and it’s a great DVD to collect!

--Johnny Dakota

 Originally Published at: http://www.ultracellsaver.com/20-years-too-soon-superstar-billy-graham-story.htm