NOTES & NEWS FOR TODAY…
- 01/20/2006 (11:55:46 am)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
……
The EXCLUSIVE Hulk Hogan/Shawn Michaels figures are gone, as we stated yesterday. Once they are gone they are gone.
Thanks for making this set such a top seller and huge success.
Thanks to Mike Informer;
Wrestling Superstar Mick Foley also a children's book author in Manila Philstar.com - The Filipino Global Community
I've received many emails about Tim White and the WWE, this was one of the stronger ones.
Tim White should be ashamed of himself !
As for the WWE...another piss poor..tasteless....insulting attempt at ratings
Vince McMahon is an insult to the wrestling world
All agree that the Tim White segments are USELESS.
But we can't forget that the WWF has become the WWE, which means ENTERTAINMENT. The McMahon's really don't want to be known as a wrestling company but as an Entertainment Company. Making movies is now their passion.
Thanks to Jeff Sheridan:
Smackdown in Orlando, FL. tonight will be on at 10 PM due to Basketball....
Smackdown in Orlando, FL. tonight will be on at 10 PM due to Basketball....
Thanks to Jeff Sheridan:
This week's TNA Xplosion on Sun Sports is at 11:30 PM TONIGHT
Thanks to Jeff Sheridan:
Transcript of Superstar Billy Graham on last night's "Showbiz Tonight"
For those that don't want to bother scrolling down after clicking: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/19/sbt.01.html , here's a copy & paste version of where his name is mentioned as well as the interview itself:
And, wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham. He paved the way for today`s stars like Hulk Hogan. Tonight, the startling stories you haven`t heard. Why a young woman`s death is the reason he cheated death, with just hours to spare. Plus, his secret stories and exclusive pictures of his bodybuilding buddy, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Superstar Billy Graham, live in the interview you`ll see right here, only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And, wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham. He paved the way for today`s stars like Hulk Hogan. Tonight, the startling stories you haven`t heard. Why a young woman`s death is the reason he cheated death, with just hours to spare. Plus, his secret stories and exclusive pictures of his bodybuilding buddy, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Superstar Billy Graham, live in the interview you`ll see right here, only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And, a wrestling legend who made it all possible for today`s WWE stars. How he narrowly cheated death. Plus, his secret stories about Arnold Schwarzenegger. Superstar Billy Graham, live in the interview you`ll see right here, only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Also, Billy Graham joining us. No, there will be no preaching going on here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT at all, just a great story. This is one of the original superstar wrestlers from the `70s who really set the standard for wrestling and what we see on television today, set the standard for people like Hulk Hogan. And he`s also had some pretty famous friends along the ride, like a current governor. We`ll talk to Superstar Billy Graham in just a few moments.
Plus, the man who paved the way for Hulk Hogan, wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham joining us with some stories that you haven`t heard and his very own personal photo album of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Superstar Billy Graham, coming your way live in the interview you`ll see only on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
Well, let`s get into a "Showbiz Sitdown" with a legendary wrestler, Superstar Billy Graham. Before there was Hulk Hogan, before there was Jesse "The Body" Ventura, there was this guy, Superstar Billy Graham. In the 1970s, he dominated professional wrestling with his outrageous, over- the-top style. He was close buddies and a fellow bodybuilder with a guy you may remember, oh, and he`s still around, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Today, Superstar Billy Graham owes his life to a young woman who lost her life. Graham is now telling all in a new book that you`re looking at right here. It`s called "Tangled Ropes." Billy Graham joins us live, Superstar Billy Graham here in New York.
Hold on a second, man. Can you stand up for me for a second?
SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM, FORMER WRESTLER: I can stand up...
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: You`re a big dude.
GRAHAM: Yes, but I`m 62 years old and a big dude.
HAMMER: And in great shape, it appears.
GRAHAM: It`s had to because of the new liver, man. Training every day. Feel the arm. Go ahead. Feel it. Feel it.
HAMMER: Those are guns.
GRAHAM: All right, man. All right.
HAMMER: What are you weighing in at?
GRAHAM: I weigh 265. I`m training every day, ever since the liver transplant. It`s brought back my life. I`m vibrant. I`m focused. I`m motivated, training every day in the gym. And, of course, my autobiography is out, and touring the country.
HAMMER: Well, let`s go back in time, shall we? Because back in the 1970s, as I mentioned, you were an absolute superstar. You were beloved by so many people.
Then something happened that took you on a road that led you to where you had to really turn your life around of some not-so-good stuff. Can you tell me what happened that made that switch for you?
GRAHAM: Yes, A.J., actually, I was the world champion, world WWE world champion, and it was time to really pass the baton to another wrestler, who -- by the name of Bob Backlund, who was a very nice guy -- but had no charisma. Professional wrestling and sports entertainment is all about charisma.
And I felt that the decision to take the title off of me and put it on Mr. Backlund was a flawed decision, at best. And so I went kind of into a tailspin, knowing that I should have been the champion at the time. I`d sold out Madison Square Garden 19 out of 20 times, the highest percentage of any athlete in the world to sell out Madison Square Garden.
HAMMER: So it really led you into depression and drugs and...
GRAHAM: Yes, I did. I fell from grace, basically. And I went into drugs, went into a deep depression, a deep spiral, and ended up on skid row in Phoenix, Arizona, dragging my wife, Valerie, of course, all the way through with me, taking all kinds of drugs to avoid reality, and had really been down where the vultures feed. I was living that low.
HAMMER: And you wound up suffering from Hepatitis C. Your liver was failing, and you basically were given a month to live. And then you got a phone call. What happened then?
GRAHAM: Yes, I did. Hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver. The liver only had maybe a small handful of cells working in it. And a beautiful young girl by the name of Katie Gilroy was the donor, 25 years old, got in a car wreck. And her liver came to me.
And the doctor said that I had 30 days at best left to live. And if I wouldn`t have got that liver, I would have certainly passed away. So I would like to encourage all the folks to sign their donor cards...
HAMMER: Sure.
GRAHAM: ... because my life was saved by a young girl who signed her donor card when she was 16 years old.
HAMMER: And not just your health, clearly, your perspective. And you said, "Hey, I`m getting this second chance."
GRAHAM: That`s right.
HAMMER: Got to take advantage of it.
GRAHAM: And you have to give back, A.J. You know, I`ve been given a second chance, a new liver, a new life. And so I have to give back and encourage folks to sign their donor cards.
HAMMER: Well, I mentioned a guy that you started out body building with. I want to throw a couple pictures up here of somebody you got started with, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
GRAHAM: That`s right, yes.
HAMMER: Of course, now the governor of California.
GRAHAM: That`s right.
HAMMER: Look at this.
GRAHAM: Yes, that photo was taken one week after Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived in this country. And as you can see, he`s astounded that my arms are bigger than his.
(LAUGHTER)
And there he is. That shows you the personality of Arnold. He couldn`t believe that my arms were bigger than his.
HAMMER: My god.
GRAHAM: He said, "Oh, my god, you know, this man is incredible."
HAMMER: Are you still in touch with Arnold?
GRAHAM: Yes. Arnold -- I don`t bother him; he`s running the state of California, after all. And so but Arnold never forgets his original friends. And he`s just a wonderful guy, a tremendous inspiration to me, and remain close to this day.
HAMMER: World Wrestling Entertainment now is a lot different than it was when you started out, because that was back in the 1970s. And you were really right there when it was first becoming wildly popular, through television. It sort of started to transcend into popular culture. What do you make of it now?
GRAHAM: Oh, well, I wish -- you know, in 1977, when I was the WWE champion, we had no pyrotechnics. We had no entrance music. We had no extravaganza like we have today.
I only wish I was wrestling today to enjoy the fireworks, the pyro, the entrance music, the whole extravaganza, because that was my personality. I was the ultimate entertainer, taking my rap from Muhammad Ali and originating with all the colors and the tie-dye. So I really was 20 years ahead of my time, A.J.
HAMMER: But the fact that you were able to do it so raw without all that stuff...
GRAHAM: Yes, that`s right.
HAMMER: ... I think certainly says a lot.
GRAHAM: I was a natural at it. But I would love to be involved in the modern day product today.
HAMMER: Well, maybe Vince McMahon will take you back.
GRAHAM: Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: Good to see you, Superstar Reverend Billy Graham. I`m glad to se you.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Not at all. But it`s a cool book, and it`s a great story. Once again, it`s called "Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes." It is in bookstores now.
Well, let`s get into a "Showbiz Sitdown" with a legendary wrestler, Superstar Billy Graham. Before there was Hulk Hogan, before there was Jesse "The Body" Ventura, there was this guy, Superstar Billy Graham. In the 1970s, he dominated professional wrestling with his outrageous, over- the-top style. He was close buddies and a fellow bodybuilder with a guy you may remember, oh, and he`s still around, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Today, Superstar Billy Graham owes his life to a young woman who lost her life. Graham is now telling all in a new book that you`re looking at right here. It`s called "Tangled Ropes." Billy Graham joins us live, Superstar Billy Graham here in New York.
Hold on a second, man. Can you stand up for me for a second?
SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM, FORMER WRESTLER: I can stand up...
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: You`re a big dude.
GRAHAM: Yes, but I`m 62 years old and a big dude.
HAMMER: And in great shape, it appears.
GRAHAM: It`s had to because of the new liver, man. Training every day. Feel the arm. Go ahead. Feel it. Feel it.
HAMMER: Those are guns.
GRAHAM: All right, man. All right.
HAMMER: What are you weighing in at?
GRAHAM: I weigh 265. I`m training every day, ever since the liver transplant. It`s brought back my life. I`m vibrant. I`m focused. I`m motivated, training every day in the gym. And, of course, my autobiography is out, and touring the country.
HAMMER: Well, let`s go back in time, shall we? Because back in the 1970s, as I mentioned, you were an absolute superstar. You were beloved by so many people.
Then something happened that took you on a road that led you to where you had to really turn your life around of some not-so-good stuff. Can you tell me what happened that made that switch for you?
GRAHAM: Yes, A.J., actually, I was the world champion, world WWE world champion, and it was time to really pass the baton to another wrestler, who -- by the name of Bob Backlund, who was a very nice guy -- but had no charisma. Professional wrestling and sports entertainment is all about charisma.
And I felt that the decision to take the title off of me and put it on Mr. Backlund was a flawed decision, at best. And so I went kind of into a tailspin, knowing that I should have been the champion at the time. I`d sold out Madison Square Garden 19 out of 20 times, the highest percentage of any athlete in the world to sell out Madison Square Garden.
HAMMER: So it really led you into depression and drugs and...
GRAHAM: Yes, I did. I fell from grace, basically. And I went into drugs, went into a deep depression, a deep spiral, and ended up on skid row in Phoenix, Arizona, dragging my wife, Valerie, of course, all the way through with me, taking all kinds of drugs to avoid reality, and had really been down where the vultures feed. I was living that low.
HAMMER: And you wound up suffering from Hepatitis C. Your liver was failing, and you basically were given a month to live. And then you got a phone call. What happened then?
GRAHAM: Yes, I did. Hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver. The liver only had maybe a small handful of cells working in it. And a beautiful young girl by the name of Katie Gilroy was the donor, 25 years old, got in a car wreck. And her liver came to me.
And the doctor said that I had 30 days at best left to live. And if I wouldn`t have got that liver, I would have certainly passed away. So I would like to encourage all the folks to sign their donor cards...
HAMMER: Sure.
GRAHAM: ... because my life was saved by a young girl who signed her donor card when she was 16 years old.
HAMMER: And not just your health, clearly, your perspective. And you said, "Hey, I`m getting this second chance."
GRAHAM: That`s right.
HAMMER: Got to take advantage of it.
GRAHAM: And you have to give back, A.J. You know, I`ve been given a second chance, a new liver, a new life. And so I have to give back and encourage folks to sign their donor cards.
HAMMER: Well, I mentioned a guy that you started out body building with. I want to throw a couple pictures up here of somebody you got started with, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
GRAHAM: That`s right, yes.
HAMMER: Of course, now the governor of California.
GRAHAM: That`s right.
HAMMER: Look at this.
GRAHAM: Yes, that photo was taken one week after Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived in this country. And as you can see, he`s astounded that my arms are bigger than his.
(LAUGHTER)
And there he is. That shows you the personality of Arnold. He couldn`t believe that my arms were bigger than his.
HAMMER: My god.
GRAHAM: He said, "Oh, my god, you know, this man is incredible."
HAMMER: Are you still in touch with Arnold?
GRAHAM: Yes. Arnold -- I don`t bother him; he`s running the state of California, after all. And so but Arnold never forgets his original friends. And he`s just a wonderful guy, a tremendous inspiration to me, and remain close to this day.
HAMMER: World Wrestling Entertainment now is a lot different than it was when you started out, because that was back in the 1970s. And you were really right there when it was first becoming wildly popular, through television. It sort of started to transcend into popular culture. What do you make of it now?
GRAHAM: Oh, well, I wish -- you know, in 1977, when I was the WWE champion, we had no pyrotechnics. We had no entrance music. We had no extravaganza like we have today.
I only wish I was wrestling today to enjoy the fireworks, the pyro, the entrance music, the whole extravaganza, because that was my personality. I was the ultimate entertainer, taking my rap from Muhammad Ali and originating with all the colors and the tie-dye. So I really was 20 years ahead of my time, A.J.
HAMMER: But the fact that you were able to do it so raw without all that stuff...
GRAHAM: Yes, that`s right.
HAMMER: ... I think certainly says a lot.
GRAHAM: I was a natural at it. But I would love to be involved in the modern day product today.
HAMMER: Well, maybe Vince McMahon will take you back.
GRAHAM: Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: Good to see you, Superstar Reverend Billy Graham. I`m glad to se you.
(CROSSTALK)
HAMMER: Not at all. But it`s a cool book, and it`s a great story. Once again, it`s called "Superstar Billy Graham: Tangled Ropes." It is in bookstores now.
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