17 Facts About Eddie Graham

Edward F Gossett, better known as Eddie Graham, was an American professional wrestler.

Eddie Graham was the promoter and booker for Championship Wrestling from Florida and President of the NWA in the 1970s.

Eddie Graham lived in a troubled household and sold newspapers and eggs to make a living while in Chattanooga at the age of 12.

Eddie Graham was occasionally billed as the brother of "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers under the name of Rip Rogers.

Eddie Graham lost a loser-leaves-town match to Pepper Gomez in May 1958 in Texas.

In June 1958, he changed his ring name, adopting the persona of Eddie Graham, who was billed as the "brother" of Dr Jerry Graham and "Crazy" Luke Graham.

Jerry and Eddie were a very successful villainous tag team on the east coast of the United States.

Eddie Graham took over booking and promoting for Championship Wrestling from Florida in 1971.

Eddie Graham wrestled in tag team matches with his son, Mike Graham, until 1977, when he retired from the ring due to health problems.

Eddie Graham's last recorded match was against Terry Funk on March 3,1982, which was ruled a draw.

Eddie Graham was the President of the NWA from 1976 to 1978, thanks in part to Gordon Solie and Dusty Rhodes.

Eddie Graham was absent as NWA President in 1977 and 1978 due to serious health problems he suffered from, and was forced to step down as a result.

In 1968, Eddie Graham was lacing his boots in the locker room when a 75-lb steel window fell on his head, detaching both of his retinas and causing him an injury that required three hundred stitches.

Eddie Graham made contributions to a number of charitable causes, as chief of the Florida Boys and Girls Ranch Villa.

Eddie Graham donated funds from every Championship Wrestling from Florida show to the Villa, bringing in a reported $100,000, donating to high school and college level amateur wrestling events.

Eddie Graham remained as the promoter in Florida until January 21,1985, when he committed suicide by gunshot after a lifelong battle with alcoholism and depression.

Eddie Graham was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 29,2008 by Dusty Rhodes, while his son, Mike Graham, accepted the honor on behalf of his father.