Tangled Ropes

Cunning, baffling, and insidious are simply the terms one can associate with the professional wrestling business from today through yesteryear.  It is those same three words that characterize the behaviors of any addict.  Superstar Billy Graham was no different. 

Don’t miss this master of a read which made me “relive” those years of the 70’s and early 80’s.  If you weren’t born yet, you’ll envy each and every one of us who lived the “tangled” times that  a “Superstar Was Born”.  Don’t forget, tangled, as in meaning complex.

It was Wayne Coleman who entered the Pro Mr. America contest that I co-promoted with Dan Lurie, an icon himself in the world of bodybuilding.  It was Wayne Coleman who legitimately took fifth place and won Most Muscular Arms.  Keyword: Legitimate.  The WBBG (World Body Building Guild) of which I was Vice President was not a work.  It could have easily been as was rumored about other associations including the AAU sanctioning bodies in the sport of physique.  Name your winner to promote your product.

That night in the packed Beacon Theatre I was entranced by the double biceps poses he threw at the judges and enchanted in the back by his gift of gab.  We all were.  He did not need a work to have the 12 judges unanimously give him the title of Most Muscular Arms in America; he had them.  Later that night in the gal’s division, an alleged high class Ms. Body Beautiful was about to be crowned , then went into redemption mode to “strip for God”.  Now that was her personal work.

Wayne Coleman’s only work was on himself, being an insane drug and steroid and yes he tells us even some wine…..it is insane to do the same behavior over and over again and expect different results.

The stories are real.  I knew all of them.  By the grace of God I wasn’t one of the been killed or killed self or now dead mentioned.  The honorable mention I received was just that, honorable and thinking about that today it’s because Wayne has actually humbled himself and knows who his friends are.

Running with the Superstar in those days I lived some of those personal accounts.  The stories not glamorized and not for the faint at heart.  This was life on the WWWF circus and anyone who finger points is either a liar or just plum doesn’t get it. 

Wayne puts over all of the people in his life that should have been put over in a book on his life because they made him into who he was and helped him get there.  From Arnold and Steve Strong in the beginning, Bruno, Putski, Koloff, Dusty, The Wiz in the middle and of course the last round goes to the McMahons.

What Wayne Coleman has done in 341 pages is courageous.  I admire and respect him for it.  While I don’t run with God as a Born Again, this Jewish retired teacher, assistant principal, editor, wrestler, booker is a believer.  I believe Billy Graham ran through the 12 Steps of Life in 341 pages.  He cleansed his soul (and certainly his liver) and has started life anew.   Each day a new beginning.

This book brings joy, sadness, anger, and passion together in a very easy to read can’t put it down now version.  Afterall is said and done, this read is for the wrestling mark, casual fan, love story, struggling, addicts, recovery, redemption, and perhaps a whole new world opened up to delve into…..organ donations.

I’d like to chat with the folk at Simon and Schuster about a business deal.  This book should be serialized with Superstardette Val Graham Story.  She is a true humble American wife, love, and goddess on whom a book need be written.  Need I say more??????  Perhaps Channel 4………….

Scott Epstein is a retired teacher, assistant principal from the NYC Public Schools.  He was editor in chief of Wrestling Training Illustrated magazine from 1975-1983.  Additionally he served as the Vice President of the WBBG , a not for profit organization set up to run physique contests and help those in need with nutritional education.  Mr. Epstein became close friends with the men of the squared circle and was the first in his field to tie in the weightlifting/bodybuilding angles and thus became a booker for Superstar Billy Graham, Ivan Putski, Scott Putski, Tony Atlas (Mr. USA was a WBBG sanctioned event) and a host of others.  Aside from business, Scott Epstein became good friends with them all and had some incredible memorable times on the road.  He currently owns a public relations firm in NY that specializes in the bookings and book writings for sports entertainment and other entertainment professionals.  In addition, Scott Epstein is the summer icon at Coleman Family Camps, Merrick NY where he is the High Ropes Supervisor, Rock Climbing and Belaying Instructor, and an icon for 23 summers as the camps’ Jello Wrestling Champion…yes you read that right…jello….belt and all including visit to the camps by stars such as Captain Lou Albano, Johnny Rodz, Bam Bam Bigelow, Scott Putski, Missy Hyatt, Fred Blassie and many more………….