McPinions
By: Sean “The MiC” McCaffrey

Maybe the greatest wrestling booker of all time, Eddie Graham

NOTE: I wrote this column 3 years ago, but it is as relevant now as it was then.

While I was watching the Bill Watts Shoot Interview earlier this week, I realized that this past January 20th, marked the 20 Year Anniversary of the death of Eddie Graham. While I never was around when Graham was in his heyday, as I was in diapers when he died, I have watched some of his old works on tape. I have also heard stories from many wrestlers through books and shoot interviews about Eddie Graham. Hell, even our friend here at the DOI, Rob Feinstein, is one of the biggest Eddie Graham marks of all time and was influenced by Eddie Graham when he first started Ring of Honor. The one thing that every wrestler or wrestling personality says, whether it was was in a book, shoot interview or radio interview, when they talk about Eddie Graham, is that Eddie Graham was a genius.

Eddie Graham was born in 1929. By 1947, he was a pro wrestler, after being trained by Cowboy Luttrall. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Graham's mark on the wrestling business was left in the Florida region during the 1970's as one of the best wrestling bookers and wrestling minds of all time.

Graham wrestled under his real name, Eddie Gossett, until he lost a "loser leaves town" match to Pepper Gomez in Texas in 1958. After losing the match, he became Eddie Graham, and became part of the "Golden Graham" family, which even included former WWWF Heavyweight Champion, "Superstar" Billy Graham.

As a wrestler, Eddie Graham won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship(W/Jerry Graham), The NWA Tag Team Championship (W/Three Partners), The NWA United States Tag Team Championship, The NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, among other championships.

Eddie's career as a wrestler came to a halt in 1968, as he was lacing his boots in a locker-room, in Florida, a 75 pound steel window fell on Graham's head. The damage to Graham was torn retinas in both eyes and 300 stitches for his face and head. Eddie would eventually be awarded $23,000 for damages by the Florida State Legislature. Eddie would later return to the ring, where he would introduce his son, Mike Graham to the sport. Eddie would also team up with Mike in his new project, Championship Wrestling in Florida.

With his new found money, Eddie would create Championship Wrestling in Florida. This was considered one of the best territories in America during wrestling's territorial period. While in today's wrestling world, Championship Wrestling would be swallowed up by the WWE, Championship Wrestling was something special during its run in the 70's-80's.

While running Championship Wrestling, Eddie Graham mastered his craft as he weaved some of the greatest storylines in wrestling. Such talent as Bill Watts (who later booked there as well), Dusty Rhodes, Billy Graham, Harley Race, Kevin Sullivan, “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer, Ron Simmons, Mike Rotundo, Barry Windham, and many others would all wrestle in Florida for Championship Wrestling. In 1976, Graham became the NWA President. At the time, this made Eddie Graham the most powerful and influential man in pro wrestling. He used this position of power positively, and saw his territory and the NWA flourish. He'd be re-elected two more times, and the NWA continued to rise and do good business during his presidency. Graham also gave back to his community, as in 1978, he started to give out a yearly $500 Wrestling Scholarship for the University Of Tampa. In the same year, he donated $10,000 to the University Of Florida, to create a wrestling room on campus for the students. He also worked with several youth groups. His donations and contributions to Florida did not go unnoticed, as he was honored by many civil organizations.

Eddie continued to enrich the sport of pro wrestling as a booker/promoter until his death. On January 20, 1985, Eddie Gossett/Graham, was found dead in his home. Graham committed suicide, as he was a victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Behind closed doors, Graham was fighting alcoholism and depression, something that many fans and wrestlers did not see, as Graham was very well liked and respected before he died.

In 1993, Eddie Graham was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame, as his son, Mike Graham accepted the award on his behalf. While the WCW Hall of Fame might be dead now, Eddie Graham will always be recoginized as one of the most influential people in wrestling of all time. His acts in the wrestling business, and his philanthropist acts outside of the business, made him truly one of the old time greats.

Some of you might be wondering why I am reflecting on the life of Eddie Graham during the 20 year anniversary of his death. Simply put, wrestling is not good today. It was people like Eddie Graham who were so great and could make people believe in pro wrestling. Even though I am no where near Eddie Graham's generation, I do respect it and wish I was around to see it unfold. When reading many books and seeing many shoot interviews, from some people who passed through the Florida territory, all have made wrestling seem so much better back in the day. When you think about wrestling today, with guys like JBL as champion, low TV Ratings, cynical wrestling fans (Myself even included), you can really look back and appreciate Eddie Graham and what he did for the sport of pro wrestling.

Wrestling isn't the same no more. While one can argue the competition is better today, the realism and passion doesn't feel as strong as it did back then, just from watching the storylines and the crowds reaction to them on tape. Eddie Graham shows had fans going absolutely nuts just for eye pokes and bodyslams, in addition to solid wrestling. The way Graham was able to get fans into his storylines and enjoy pro wrestling was a work of art.

Right now, Pro wrestling could really use an Eddie Graham. For many, wrestling would be alot better if Graham was alive today. It is truly a shame Graham passed away the way he did, but hopefully this column brings awareness to one of the better people to make a mark in the wrestling business, during the 20th Anniversary of his death.

While Graham is dead in the ground, he should always be kept alive by his contributions to the sport.

Eddie Graham
1930-1985

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com