Wrestling's first cross-over superstar carved out a career that reached from the earliest days of television to the consolidation of all the local leagues under the banner of World Wrestling. As a wrestler he stood unbeaten in every major championship and he continued his winning streak even after injuries forced his retirement, managing may wrestling stars including Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. A larger-than-life personality, he was as recognizable on the streets of Los Angeles as any movie star. This tale of success epitomizes the lifestyle every modern wrestling star aspires to.

The Iron Sheik

by Keith Elliot Greenberg

Published 8 September 2009
The Iron Sheik is fondly remembered as one of the most hated wrestlers of the Hulk Hogan era.

'The man of the hour, the man with the power, too sweet to be sour!' That was how Superstar Billy Graham described himself, and who could argue? Graham was perhaps the single most influential performer of the past thirty years, and the mark of that influence can be found in Superstars ranging from Hulk Hogan to Scott Steiner. His outrageous ring attire and Muhammad Ali-style interviews were a breath of fresh air during an era when sports entertainment was much more bare-bones than it is today. Just as fans flocked to see the Superstar compete in the ring, so they loved to listen to him pontificate on the microphone, even if he was bad-mouthing the Superstars they held dear. With his equally colourful manager the Grand Wizard at his side, Graham toppled Bruno Sammartino from his WWE Championship perch for the last time on April 30, 1977. He went on to hold the prize for nearly ten months, the longest reign for any ring villain in WWE history to this day. Clad in tie-dye and feather boas, the Superstar was a sign of things to come, and boasted a chiselled, muscular physique that was very unique at the time.
During the late 1980s, he made a brief return to WWE competition, and even enjoyed stints as a manager and broadcaster. Graham has experienced it all and he's going to be talking about it in this book, with stories about all the legendary wrestlers -- including Sammartino, Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka and Sergeant Slaughter -- that no true wrestling fan will want to miss.