1983 Wrestling All Stars Superstar Graham Signed at American Icon in CA

Dpeck100

I just got these back today from the signing in CA for Superstar Billy Graham. I saw last week he was signing at the Frank and Sons show in California and American Icon was putting it on. I sent three cards out there over night just in time for the signing.

I am stunned at how different his signature looks in every single example. PSA/DNA was at the show authenticating and I opted to have them sent back and plan to get them into PSA holders but in reality I am concerned that they might not pass. The only thing that looks the same is the Super. These auto's are so different on each one and even though I know they are real I am hoping the authenticater has a range for his signature. He is featured in the current Sport Kings set and I think that is going to spark some interest in his memorabilia.


Many may not be familiar but Superstar Billy Graham was the man and the first steroid freak in wrestling. This dudes arms were insane and he led the way for the many that followed with crazy physical development.


One of my all time favorites and proud to own one of the two PSA 10's of this amazing wrestling card!

jswieton

I think they look similar enough that they will pass PSA/DNA. If you look on eBay there are many variations of his name that have passed PSA/DNA. At least he didn't print his name like some of the autographs on ebay.

wrestlingcardking

I have an older clearer sig and may want to upgrade........ it is a PSA/DNA 6.

wrestlingcardking

Here is mine

NHLfightguy

Seems he signs his G with some variations, otherwise look similar. Cool looking cards. Loved his dvd.

What does American Icon charge extra for PSA/DNA. Would they have had them put in blue flips if you wanted at signing?

Dpeck100

At this signing they had PSA/DNA there and they issue the sticker on the back and I believe it is $8.

I want to get them into a blue flip and them to my slabbed collection.

I have no plans to attempt what Rob and Mike are doing with their autographed Wrestling All Stars but I do want to continue to add some of my favorite stars from the set.

I was really wanting to get a Ric Flair signed soon but it appears he is parting ways with TNA Wrestling and that means he won't be in Orlando much I wouldn't think.

The Superstar Graham DVD is fantastic and no one can deny he was simply awesome. His interviews from his days in the WWWF are some of the best ever.

thenavarro

<< <i>

I have no plans to attempt what Rob and Mike are doing with their autographed Wrestling All Stars >>



Come on in and enjoy the fun!

Mike

Dpeck100

Mike I will definately be adding new signed cards to the mix but quite frankly I have tried to stay out of both of your ways becuase I new how serious you guys were in your pursuit of the signed cards.

I figured my angle was the grading aspect and both you and Rob were focusing on the auto aspect.


I think the signed Wrestling All Stars concept is super cool and makes for a tremendous collectable.

brian26

<< <i>The Superstar Graham DVD is fantastic and no one can deny he was simply awesome. His interviews from his days in the WWWF are some of the best ever. >>



Graham is possibly one of the most over-rated wrestlers in history. After watching his dvd, it's sad how much of his act does not hold up at all, and much of it, in hindsight, is pretty hollow. His interviews were nothing but a complete robbery of Ali's schtick back then, almost down to the exact rhymes. In the ring, Graham couldn't wrestle himself out of a paperbag. His physique for the time was remarkable, and his attire was colorful, so in that sense he ushered in a new era with guys like Hogan and Ventura emulating him. Outside of the ring, Graham loses all of my respect because of his drug and steroid use which basically crippled him a few years later.

The card pictures Graham in his AWA karate gimmick when he was drugged out of his mind and could hardly move in the ring, just a shadow of his former self.

wrestlingcardking

Just having the cards is a major obstacle, you could crank out a bunch of these autos with a few conventions and taking a few of my dupes for a few graded cards to finish out my sets. Join the fun even if it is limited in comparison to Mike and I. Graded sets on the wall in your displays would be sweet as well, just let me have the next Andre the Giant...lol.

Dpeck100

Rob I have the Hogan's on the wall and the Ricky Steamboat. I am running out of space. I now have six of those 36 card cases on the wall in the front room of my condo.

On a semi regular basis American Icon brings in big name wrestlers and with how smoothly this transaction went I will certainly participate in future signings.

I would really like to get a Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair and some of the other major NWA legends.

Good luck finding that Andre. That would be sweet!

bking

<< <i>
The card pictures {name} in his AWA {gimmick} gimmick when he {ailment}and could hardly move in the ring, just a shadow of his former self. >>



Geez, I just realized how completely this describes the AWA toward the end...

NHLfightguy

<< <i>

<< <i>The Superstar Graham DVD is fantastic and no one can deny he was simply awesome. His interviews from his days in the WWWF are some of the best ever. >>



Graham is possibly one of the most over-rated wrestlers in history. After watching his dvd, it's sad how much of his act does not hold up at all, and much of it, in hindsight, is pretty hollow. His interviews were nothing but a complete robbery of Ali's schtick back then, almost down to the exact rhymes. In the ring, Graham couldn't wrestle himself out of a paperbag. His physique for the time was remarkable, and his attire was colorful, so in that sense he ushered in a new era with guys like Hogan and Ventura emulating him. Outside of the ring, Graham loses all of my respect because of his drug and steroid use which basically crippled him a few years later.

The card pictures Graham in his AWA karate gimmick when he was drugged out of his mind and could hardly move in the ring, just a shadow of his former self. >>



I disagree. Superstar was ahead of his time. His act was great. His look, promos put asses in seats and made money. I don't think his karate gimmick was even used in AWA. He came back to WWF with it, pretty sure he did rounds with Backlund in title matches with it in early 80's.
Also during early 80's when Graham was using karate gimmick the AWA was on fire. Hogan was being pushed to the moon by Verne Gagne. His series of title matches with Wicked Nick Bockwinkel went around the horns in many cities selling out. Mad Dog and Crusher feuding with Blackwell was also selling out.

Dpeck100

Superstar Graham 1975


This is not the entire promo but most of it. I am sorry this is the greatest promo ever. If you were watching at home in 1975 you could not believe your eyes. No one looked like this is wrestling or spoke like this.

Was he the best wrestler? No. None of the jacked up guys were. Did he sell tickets, hell yeah.

It is widely documented that he went off the deep end after dropping the strap to Backlund. He came back with the karate gimmick in 1982 and it was clearly a bad idea. He was in the WWF at that point and then left for territories of the NWA including Florida where he performed in the CWF.

To say he was the greatest of all time would be a huge stretch but to say he did not make a huge impact on professional wrestling would be just as huge of a stretch.

His personal life has clearly had many flaws and his dealings with the business in the 1990's and beyond have been very disappointing for certain.

Superstar Billy Graham was extremely entertaining and that is what pro wrestling is about and he is a true legend.

Dpeck100

This thread needs some high grade material too.

wrestlingcardking

Whatever you think that Superstar Billy Graham lacks, he was influential for sure..... I see the comments that many people are comparing Chael Sonnen's current schtick to Billy Graham and I cannot say that I disagree.