Wikipedia

Dr. Jerry Graham

Jerry Martin Graham(bornJerry Martin Matthews,[5]December 16, 1921 – January 24, 1997) better known as"Dr. Jerry Graham"was an Americanprofessional wrestler.He is best known for his time spent in theWorld Wide Wrestling Federationand as the founder of the Graham wrestling family.

Dr. Jerry Graham
Birth nameJerry Martin Matthews[1]
Born(1921-12-16)December 16, 1921[1]
Woodward, Oklahoma,U.S.
DiedJanuary 24, 1997(1997-01-24)(aged 75)[1]
Glendale, California,U.S.[1]
Alma materPhoenix College
Arizona State University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Dr. Jerry Graham
Jerry Graham
Dr. Zombie[2]
Billed height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[3]
Billed weight245 lb (111 kg)[3]
Billed fromPhoenix, Arizona,U.S.[3]
Debut1947[4]
Retired1981
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Service/ branchUnited States Army
Years of service1947-1948[1]
RankPrivate First Class
Unit82nd Airborne Division

Early life

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Graham was adopted by his stepfather Harold Graham and his name was legally changed.[5]He was raised in Arizona. In June 1947, he enlisted in theUnited States Army,serving with the82nd Airborne Divisionas aparatrooperand as a driver forGeneral James M. Gavin.[1][6][2]He became a private first class. After leaving the Army in 1948, he returned to Phoenix, where he attendedPhoenix CollegeandArizona State University.[1][2]

Professional wrestling career

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Graham began wrestling at the age of 14 in his hometown ofPhoenix, Arizona,[2]and won his first major title, theNWA Southern Heavyweight Championship,in December 1956.[7]He was the founder of thestorylineGraham wrestling family,[2]which includedEddie Graham (Edward Gossett),"Crazy" Luke Graham (James Grady Johnson),"Superstar" Billy Graham (Wayne Coleman),Mike Graham (Mike Gossett),Jerry Graham Jr., Crazy Luke Graham Jr. (Donald J Jolly) and Mad Dog Steele Graham (Tom Hankins), Gerry Chubby Graham ( M Gerald Sadler).[6][8]Along with Eddie, Jerry sold outMadison Square Gardenmany times in the 1950s and late 1960s, when they were known as The Golden Grahams. After histag teamsuccess, Dr. Graham brought "Crazy" Luke Graham and "Superstar" Billy Graham into the Graham family.[9][10]He engaged in afeudwithBuddy Rogersin 1956, predominantly inNew York.[11]

On November 19, 1957, Graham andDick the BruiserwrestledAntonio RoccaandEdouard CarpentieratMadison Square Garden.[2]During the match, a major riot exploded and many fans were arrested, with eight police officers being injured from chairs that were thrown by fans.[2]All of the wrestlers during the match were fined, and Dick the Bruiser was banned for life from wrestling inNew York.[2][12]He was a top contender forBruno Sammartino'sWorld Wide Wrestling Federation(WWWF)World Heavyweight Championship,wrestling him in three bouts at Madison Square Garden.[8]The arena was so packed that more than 10,000 fans were turned away.[2]

Despite coming up short in winning the world title, Graham held theWWWF United States Tag Team Championshipsix times; his first reign with Eddie Graham began in September 1958, when they defeatedMark LewinandDon Curtis.[8]They won the titles again in May 1959 until it was vacated due to Jerry suffering an injury.[13]He also held it in November withJohnny Valentineuntil Eddie took his place the following year.[13]This also included a reign with "brother" Crazy Luke Graham in March 1964.[13]Graham also won theNWA Canadian Tag Team ChampionshipwithAbdullah the Butcherin October 1967.[11]

He spent the 1970s training other wrestlers and occasionally wrestling himself.[14]Graham unsuccessfully attempted a comeback to the now WWF in 1984, and spent the rest of his career as a manager on theindependent circuit.[8][6]Throughout his career, he suffered from injuries which included abroken nose,dislocated hip,back pain,and at least 300 stitches to his back.[15]

Personal life

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Graham suffered from alcoholism and depression.[2]In August 1969, when his mother died, he grabbed a shotgun from the back of his car and took his mother's corpse out of the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.[5][16]After the incident, he spent time in the Arizona State Mental Hospital.[6]

In"Superstar" Billy Graham's bookTangled Ropes,he speaks about the real life hatred that Graham had forFreddie Blassie.[16]

Death and legacy

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Graham suffered from failing health in the mid-90s, causing him to enter a nursing home.[6]On January 24, 1997, Graham died inGlendaleat the age of 75, due to complications from a stroke six weeks earlier.[2][11]

He was posthumously inducted into theWWE Hall of Fameas a part of the Legacy wing on March 31, 2017.[17]

In the 2024 documentary miniseriesMr. McMahon,Vince McMahonnamed Graham as his favorite professional wrestler.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^abcdefgHornbaker, Tim (2019). "Graham, Dr. Jerry".Legends of Pro Wrestling: 150 Years of Headlocks, Body Slams, and Piledrivers.Simon & Schuster.pp. 527–529.ISBN978-1613218754.
  2. ^abcdefghijkMooneyham, Mike (February 9, 1997)."Dr. Jerry Graham Tortured Soul".The Wrestling Gospel. Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2008.RetrievedJune 23,2019.
  3. ^abcd"Jerry Graham".WWE.com.WWE.RetrievedFebruary 23,2024.
  4. ^Solomon, Brian (2010).WWE Legends.Simon & Schuster.p. 176.ISBN978-1451604504.
  5. ^abc"Jerry Graham profile".Online World of Wrestling. Archived fromthe originalon November 22, 2012.RetrievedAugust 4,2021.
  6. ^abcdeJohnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg (2010).Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels.ECW Press.pp. 297–301.ISBN978-1-55490-284-2.
  7. ^ab"Southern Heavyweight Title (Georgia)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2023.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  8. ^abcdSolomon, Brian (2010).WWE Legends.Simon & Schuster.pp. 177–179.ISBN978-1451604504.
  9. ^Wirtz, Billy C. (September 1, 2012).Red Headed Geek.Tickling Keys, Inc.ISBN978-1-61547-014-3.
  10. ^Oliver, Greg; Johnson, Steven (2019).The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Storytellers (From the Terrible Turk to Twitter).ECW Press.p. 241.ISBN978-1-77305-421-6.
  11. ^abcHarris M. Lentz III (2003).Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling(2nd ed.).McFarland.pp. 132–133.ISBN978-0-7864-1754-4.
  12. ^White, Gordon S. (November 20, 1957)."Wrestling Ends in Riot at Garden: 2 Policemen Hurt as Fans Storm Ring and Throw Chairs and Bottles".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2023.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  13. ^abcde"United States Tag Team Title (Capitol/WWWF)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2023.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  14. ^Kaelberer, Angie Peterson (July 2003).The McMahons: Vince McMahon and Family.Capstone.ISBN978-0-7368-2143-8.
  15. ^"Local wrestlers say proposal poses dangers".Toledo Blade.August 2, 1986. p. 18.
  16. ^abGraham, Billy (2010).WWE Legends – Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes.Simon & Schuster.ISBN978-1439121795.
  17. ^abBurdick, Michael (March 31, 2017)."Congratulations to the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Legacy inductees".WWE.Archived fromthe originalon October 30, 2020.RetrievedMarch 31,2017.
  18. ^"NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon December 6, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  19. ^"International Tag Team Title (Ontario)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 6, 2023.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  20. ^"NWA World Tag Team Title (Georgia)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon December 1, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  21. ^"NWA Canadian Tag Team Title (British Columbia)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  22. ^"World/International Tag Team Title (British Columbia)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  23. ^"Stampede International Tag Team Title (Alberta & Saskatchewan)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
  24. ^"WWA World Tag Team Title (Indiana)".Wrestling-Titles.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2022.RetrievedMay 22,2023.
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