Eddie and Mike Graham - Like Father, Like Son - Darker Side Of The Ring: Full Episode

CREDIT:prowrestlingst...
This is the story of the various theories surrounding the deaths of Eddie and his son Mike Graham.
#EddieGraham #MikeGraham #FCW #NWA #Florida #LukeGraham #SuperstarBillyGraham

[@TheNotbadphonedaddy]

Fun little facts that some may or may not find interesting. The Graham family was very instrumental in the growth of High School Wrestling throughout the State of Florida. Especially in the Tampa area. Many High School programs were started with the help of Eddie Graham. When the University of Florida started up it's wrestling program (unfortunately dropped in 1979) in 1969, Eddie donated $10,000 to help pay for the room, mats and uniforms. He did the same thing when the University of Tampa started up wrestling as well. Matter of fact when Tampa had a wrestling program, Graham did an annual $500 scholarship for one of the wrestlers on the team. May not seem like much, but were' talking back in the 60's and 70's.

[@donwilcox728]

People always refer to the Von Erich"s as being the tragic wrestling family. But the Graham family story is just as sad.

[@michaelhunziker7287]

3 generations+ an uncle, as far as I know. Crazy

[@andrewnaftel5533]

@@michaelhunziker7287actually, it would be four generations.

[@cfm3001]

4 generations. Eddie's father, Eddie's brother, Eddie, Mike, and Mike's son.

[@miesvaillanykyisyytta3252]

This documentary drew a dime.

[@spanky9676]

And didn’t have to break a single guitar

[@elboti7520]

Shakes head annoyed

[@aldonelson5757]

It drew flies

[@nebwachamp]

More than Mike ever did.

[@sleazyfellow]

Mike was something else on his shoot interviews. It's super depressing their stories.

[@leondarnell1]

As the old saying goes, "you NEVER know what someone else is going through"...I've heard NOTHING but glowing comments about Eddie Graham and his booking. You would have thought he had the world by the bal*s BUT he didn't. As far as Mike, it's equally as tragic. Thank you for this!!!

[@fjccommish]

He did have the world by the balls. He still couldn't handle life.

[@tylercooke1288]

@@fjccommish p0ppp0p000ppp0llpy

[@tsb7911]

On CWF, Solie just said Eddie Graham died. I was a teen at the time, so Graham seemed old to me so I assumed it was a heart attack like Lombardi and Gil Hodges.

[@bentonmckinney5454]

Mike Graham was also a NWA World Jr Heavyweight Champion I remember reading about the Graham Brothers being in a riot in MSG in the 50's and barred from the building

[@liverpooloflife8731]

Benton: My grandfather used to tell me crazy stories about Jerry & Eddie's 'adventures' in the ring...

[@aldonelson5757]

Was AWA Jr Heavyweight Champion As Well

[@p.d.l7023]

So much talent in that Florida territory in the first half of the 80s.

[@Deepizzaguy]

That is when professional wrestler was must see television. These days it is a circus.

[@fnyourmom3064]

@@Deepizzaguy I think you may want to choose a better word than “circus” when referring to modern wrestling sir, that’s giving it far too much credit seeing as how the history of wrasslin’ is tied directly into carnies and the circus

[@robertsmith4831]

I see your point but the circus brought in a wide range of new fans. WWE is a public traded company on New York Stock Exchange. Vince is a billionaire and his vision got over.

[@shable1436]

Seriously one of the best deep dive pro wrestling history channels fan based, I'm assuming, but it's up there. Closest I've come to the business is hang out with Jimmy valiant and in his gym back in the day, seen a few pros come from there, but this was 90s 2000s and he was already hobbling around, but he loved my blues band I was in. Thanks for your work brotha

[@shanecochran1969]

Such a sad family story.... Great documentary again by you. Please keep them coming. I'd love to see you do a documentary on Jay Youngblood, sometime....

[@stevewarren4813]

In one of the shot interviews on Eddie Graham, maybe with Kevin Sullivan, it was mentioned that Eddie was actually divorced from Mike's mother but only a few people knew and they continued to live together.

[@nujeru99]

Yup I saw that interview too. Sullivan also said that when Mike found out about that years later, Mike wished that he hadn't been as hard on his dad as he was

[@bryanowings2044]

I think mike had ED.

[@georgemonde8237]

@@bryanowings2044 🤣

[@AlBundyPolkHigh.]

You do a great job putting the videos together. For some reason your voice reminds me of the guy that used to say,we will leave the light on for you motel 6. 😂😂👍👍

[@tboneito]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Grahams and talking to him a few times. What a nice guy.

[@natethenub6595]

I used to watch Mike every Friday night at Eddie Graham sports arena in florida as a kid! Was awesome, Dusty was always there, Flair and even saw Kerry Von Erich once

[@slayerde440]

Was that the one in Orlando

[@natethenub6595]

@@slayerde440 yes sir

[@phyllisgarber7997]

Used to watch Eddie back in the early sixties and they neglected to mention that he also tagged team with Dickie steinborn and I will never forget Eddie and Dickie going against Tojo Yamamoto and tyro myacki. Sorry about the spelling but anyway I was only about 11 or 12:00 and every time they made Eddie bleed I cried. 10 years later I met some of the guys and we give them rides to the arena or the airport or whatever they needed we were all friends and I would go to the matches in West Palm Beach Monday Miami Friday and fort Lauderdale Friday and yes I knew Mike also one of my girlfriends dated him but Eddie was my idol a little girl's idol and always will be

[@natethenub6595]

@phyllisgarber7997 lil older then me but that's awesome. I see "Panama " jack ( one man gang) beat a guy's face in who threw a beer in his place. Also saw Denny Brown get out of his car for a guy who threatened him after a show. And met Flair who told me to wait for an autograph and then just sat in his bus, sadge

[@phyllisgarber7997]

@@natethenub6595 1 Wednesday night when I was in my early twenties and yes still watching wrestling but missed a few years there I mean you know high school and all that stuff but Eddie needed a ride to the airport correction he needed a ride to the motel because he was not flying out until that morning so I gave him a ride and I went inside with him and I'll never forget standing there looking at this man thinking oh my gosh 12 years ago he was my idol now here I am in a motel with him. GET OUT. Of course he offered me a drink and I have never been a drinker and there was an invitation to stay if I wanted to but I couldn't I just couldn't and when I left after only hanging out about 10 minutes or so he was sitting in a chair reading an airplane manual there is no way that I could have stood there and told him that he was my idol, it just didn't feel right. And now after watching some of these videos years years later like I'm doing tonight as I sit here alone on Christmas Eve because my husband passed away and my mother passed away nine months before him and yes here I am 73 and still going strong watching wrestling, it's on like five nights a week here in Florida but I never really personally you Eddie or knew that he had a drinking problem or anything. The first wrestler I met was at a shopping center mall and went up to him and told him how I watch wrestling for years and he said hey next Wednesday come on back and say hello and I did and that started the whole thing of getting to know the guys and making some good friendships and you know it's funny the bad guys are nicer than the good guys. It always seemed like the good guys were a little egotistical. Anyway Merry Christmas thanks for chatting with me. Btw how do you feel about Seth Rollins and Roman reigns? They are my two faves in WWE and an aew there is omega and Adam page which by the way I loved loved his father diamond Dallas Page and even have a t-shirt with his picture on the front of it and the Young bucks I think they're a dynamite team as is the older ones FDR or drf whatever it is. There are really good tag team from the throwback wrestling

[@GaiaMisery]

Keep up the great work , I LOVE these wrestling docs you create. Mad respect and love

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Thank-you

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

@@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries Mike's son committed suicide before he did too I believe. But I don't think he was in the wrestling business

[@mysticalplatypus87]

This was a bittersweet video, loved the archival footage and photographs. What a tragedy, very sad. I apologise in advance but it feels like the video is all over the place, in terms of timeline.

[@sickoftheshit]

Such a tragic history with the men in this family. It really is sad. 😢❤

[@liverpooloflife8731]

Lydia, tragic, like the Von Erich's story.

[@flamethrowerflufsalisbury]

I moved to Florida in 1981. I started watching CWF & it got me into wrestling. I used to go to shows at The Orange Dome in Winter Haven & The Lakeland Civic Center. I got to meet Mike several times as a kid. He had a great memory & remembered my brother & I every time we saw him.

[@donaldellis8952]

I grew up on watching the Grahams. They’re the reason I became a fan

[@CashColorCannabis]

Good one! Please do one on Hot Stuff Eddie Gilbert. One of my favs back in the day

[@timfrederick9305]

It’s chilling that Mike took his life at a motorcycle rally just like his son,chilling.Mike Graham was actually a verbal good wrestler seen him when I visited my grandma in Florida also had a older brother who would send tapes to me of CWF and I sent him Southeastern tapes Eddie was aone of wrestling’s finest bookers ~territory owners,This like the Von Erichs story is a terrible tragedy

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

Every old school booker even vince Sr respect and referred to Eddie for finishes and other stuff

[@kingstonagainstcorruption2268]

Saw Mike lose the United States Junior Heavyweight title to Kevin Sullivan in Knoxville Tennessee around 1979 or 1980. Great matches that night. Loved the old territories.

[@badmoon710]

I did not know Mike son, steven, killed himself two years before Mike took his own life. I am so sorry for them all. I hope God grants them peace

[@jamestakacs]

I truly love your programs. Thank you. Have you done the Gilberts? I'd love to see you do one on The Road Warriors.

[@johnathanrush4666]

I'd really be interested in one on the Gilberts as well

[@timfrederick9305]

Definitely want one on the Gilberts

[@JCmaverick]

Intriguing and fascinating stuff... thank you! Love your work

[@tsb7911]

I've heard and read that Eddie Graham encouraged shooters like Mike in some cases, Briscos, Funks, Matsuda, etc to beat the hell out of marks who wanted to enter wrestling. A broken nose, leg, etc was the requirement.

[@jasonbliss6030]

That seems to be the case with a lot of old school wrestlers. A buddy of mine went to some hodunk ass operation to go amateur and his opponent purposely botched a few things. It only lead to a very small dispute, but it does seem common for experienced wrestlers that have too much pride.

[@phyllisgarber7997]

Eddie Graham was my idol. Remember going to the batches when I was only thirteen or fourteen and him and Dickie steinborn we're chained up back then. Ken years later, when I knew some of the guys I ran into Eddie and gave him a ride to the airport that night after the matches. No I didn't tell him he was my idol once upon a Time. But here it is 2023 and I'm still watching wrestling for over sixty years now and Eddie will always be my idol.

[@odinite1171]

thank you for this. i dont remember much about either of these guys just clips and stuff my father told em about. it was very well done an apperciated

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti6854]

Mike Graham said that Jeff Jarrett "never drew a dime." I've seen people wearing Jeff Jarrett t-shirts. Funny I never quite seen anyone wearing any Mike Graham shirts... 🤔

[@brianbattaglia2187]

Had no clue on the family history. So sad like the VE. Love the work you do, informative and entertaining.

[@smrand2]

What a brutal tragedy. I hope all these men are resting in peace now

[@themobseat]

I doubt anyone who hates their own life so much that they shoot themselves in the head, finds peace.

[@kylejones9153]

I thought suicide was a sin? So they would be in hell am I right?

[@MrAitraining]

This was great. Thank you

[@bobdennison207]

CWF had the perfect set - up , - using connections in Texas , NY , MidSouth , and Georgia , Tampa had the absolute best talent for 30 + years .

[@boston1111111]

The only living person who's opinion I take when it comes to the Grams is Kevin Sullivan

[@grawakendream8980]

What about Barry windham

[@danthemeatman9883]

I grew up watching the Graham’s wrestle in st.Petersburg , Florida in the 70s. Back in the day ,before all the people came.🥲

[@StageRight123]

There's something about your videos when the images move up and down that is just so soothing to me.

[@MR421NOW]

Get a room!

[@StageRight123]

@@MR421NOW 😂😂

[@bleueggos6798]

Great documentary , really enjoy watching it

[@jackgoff9506]

I knew the Grahams as a kid. Eddie Graham was always nice to us kids when we went to his house. Never once did he turn us away. Mike was a teenager and he would come home with a future star...Steve Kern. He always promoted the Fla Sheriff's Boy Ranch. He was a true hero to us kids.

[@brianomoli4]

Probably all suffered from some level of CTE.

[@sooweeq123]

I think it was more than that. Four or five generations of men in that family committed suicide, in case you missed it. I'm not certain that all were wrestlers or other high impact athletes. CTE isn't always the reason. It's DANGEROUS to speculate when one doesn't know all the facts.

[@northleedspoppa]

Hahah doubt it ...have you seen a wrestling match From 50s- 80s style was so low impact Cue a gang of morons claiming that it was harder back then

[@jmj7599]

Great story, presented respectfully. Thank you.

[@Rjensen2]

It should also be pointed out that Eddie was not married. He and his wife divorced many years before, but lived together to keep up appearances.

[@tyrone5969]

A 17 year old receiving a turkey as payment for a match is one of the most hilariously old school carny promoter things in history.

[@summer-np6fx]

YOUR Stuff gets better and better. Your truly awesome!!! THANK YOU for all your hard work.

[@kingnacho69]

He broke 6,000 guitars. Never drew a dime.

[@swfcocs1]

Ah dammit, You beat me to it lol

[@yourefriendlyneighborhoodbuddy]

Hahahaha I remember that guy

[@phillipcollins1658]

That's always the very first thing that pops in my head with anything pertaining to Mike Graham

[@kylejones9153]

Did he not have a pencil?

[@freedom2084]

He’s right

[@the__GOON]

the worst part of this channel, was not realizing i hadn't subscribed yet. Very good stuff! VICE has competition!

[@BrimstoneButcher]

Fantastic documentary on the Grahams. Keep up the good work. This channel is going to be huge.

[@jwillstl]

I had no idea that family was going through all that pain

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Wow, that poor family sure has to deal with some horrendous personal tragities.

[@marcusbrothers5221]

if size was such an issue for Mike, how did Kevin Sullivan get over in a long running fued with the whole Whindam family. Black Jack Mulligan was Kevin's arch rival. Black Jack and both his son's are giants. Kevin and Mike Graham are the same height in the same place at the same time. Don't buy it!

[@tonyclifton2230]

Kevin had a better ability to draw dimes.

[@toma.4808]

These famous wrestling families all seem to suffer tragedies: the graham's, the harts, the Guerreros , the von erichs, etc; tragic prices to pay for fame and the business

[@robertfullerjr802]

Here in Ybor City Tampa back in the 70s and early 80s Mike Graham had fans and if you were there you would know regardless of what this vid states......may the Lord forgive the Grahams 😢

[@sooweeq123]

Your accompanying music makes the narrative more cinematic. Thumbs Up!!!

[@shannonbarnwell3114]

Eddie's brother also committed suicide

[@donwilcox728]

And Mike's son also committed suicide.

[@Hakeem990]

@@donwilcox728 Awful may they rest in peace

[@jimmyjohnson9044]

Can't blame anyone for suicide--life is a bitch!

[@ameliastencil6058]

Love your videos!. Great work

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Thank-you

[@jeremiahtheweepingprophet180]

Could you do one of the Rock and Roll express, The Fantastics, or The Fabulous Ones?...... Excellent Video...

[@sirekumasutra7022]

Good video, this got me emotional watching this.

[@gardgarland5293]

This is very well researched. Such a sad story.

[@themeanhornet1070]

Mike Graham and Steve Kurn were my favorite CFW tag team growing up.

[@Mrblonde92]

Great documentary but Mike said in an rf shoot that the doctor told him that Eddie shot himself twice once in the mouth but he flinched so it caught his jaw. Jesus I get chills even typing it.

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

I didn't know Superstar Billy Graham and Mike Graham were "related" Kayfabe wise.

[@thedragonchaser]

Jeff Jarrett broke 10,000 guitars and never drew a dime.

[@imreallyrotten]

Great job btw. Very informative indeed...

[@LongHairedLout]

Got put onto your channel by Brian Last so glad I did!

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Where did he mention it?

[@LongHairedLout]

@@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries I'm really sorry I can't remember which podcast it was but it was one of the drive thrus he brought up your doc on 50th state big time wrestling

[@nickolasjones2384]

Never drew a dime....

[@Cooley710]

I didn’t know Ricky Steamboat’s former moniker was “Dick Blood” lol Should’ve teamed with Dick Togo

[@johnnyswavehollywood3943]

That's his real name Richard Blood

[@GranTyrant]

Holy fuck! How did I never hear about Mike Graham passing away? Crazy family history; phenomenal doc, man!

[@TheRydog61]

I"m a Detroit territory guy

[@SammyVideoPlex]

Thank you for this upload you really don't hear about wrestling families but the Von Ericks, Hart's, and a little about the great Funks. I enjoyed this video RIP Graham's ❤.

[@stephengrahn9361]

Glad you mentioned Chattanooga, Tennessee

[@thebigbosfetti1585]

Rest in peace Mikey. I still think about you

[@seanbertrand5289]

The first minute sounds like a 1990s A&E/History channel documentary intro.

[@ScarFace5566]

Same thing with the Von Erichs, had the weight of the world on their shoulders and couldn’t handle it! Taking drugs messed with their minds too!!

[@ToxicAvengerCleanYourMind]

If you live life in the fast lane for too long, you're bound to crash

[@richardwakefield3178]

Did anybody else see that sign from the guy walking through the crowd of the hard cam shot at SummerSlam the other night, early on in the match Jeff Jarrett was officiating? It read “Never Drew a Dime”. 😂

[@nicolasvaldez8192]

What a great video, wow

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Thank-you

[@arturoalmazan5262]

very sad documentary. they ended up like the Von erichs. Suicide is not the answer. who knows what they all went through

[@EVGriffinJr]

Pretty much but the Von Erich’s are still highly regarded despite the sad ending. Not too many people bring up the Graham‘s, who is legacy in wrestling with also great.

[@heathhatcher3890]

Man all your videos are just so in depth and I love them! Also what is the name of that song playing?

[@mrcold8966]

Everyone knocks Mike Graham for saying this person and that person never drew a dime well the thing is he's right, nobody paid to see Jarrett, Benoit, Make no etc. Besides, he never said he was a draw he just said those guys weren't

[@wbcrow]

Great documentary! What's the name of the ending song and artist?

[@tsb7911]

Certainly sounds like Bruce Springsteen.

[@carlodrudd8391]

That is a little more detail than I would like to hear on their suicides. Eddie specifically.

[@ryfreedman]

You make some compelling videos!

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Thank-you

[@imreallyrotten]

Another victim of Vinces megalomania. The territories were unsustainable but Vince killed them with no real plan to sustain Pro wrestling itself. All my opinion of course...

[@Rjensen2]

Please. It had nothing to do with McMahon. Eddie got caught holding the bag with a shady land deal with some land outside of Tampa, and was either going to do some time in prison, or even murdered. This is very well known, and talked about in the video.

[@imreallyrotten]

@@Rjensen2 OK you have your opinion but Mike's suicide was the one more affected by Vince's buyout as FCW was slowly strnagled by other companies also affected by WWWF's machinations...

[@Rjensen2]

@@imreallyrotten huh? First of all, it was never called "FCW". You don't even know the name of the company. That doesn't speak well for your opinions. Second of all, Eddie being so well respected but then being exposed as a criminal, drug addict, and alcoholic killed the territory. Dusty leaving also likely played a part.

[@Rjensen2]

@@imreallyrotten By the way, you actually mean Eddie's suicide. You'll also have to explain how that's true, since...VINCE DIDN'T EVEN GO INTO EDDIE'S TERRITORY UNTIL AFTER EDDIE KILLED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO PRISON!!!

[@imreallyrotten]

Crocket buying CWF out due to Vinces buying TV markets and stars had along with personal problems a direct influence on Mike's suicide. Eddie's was due to many reasons which included personal and what he saw was happening in the business which included CWF slowly dying . He was way ahead of his time and had dealings with the McMahons so he knew what was coming...

[@retroboog8973]

I really like the old WWII/War Documentary feel of this

[@meztizo_americano86]

I like how he documents some of the Wrestlers who are not as well known as the big names. I knew about Ediie and Mikebut I didn't know the details but you covered it well Can you Do Tony Osbourne and Matt Osbourne (Doink The Clown). Even Art Barr and Sandy Barr. Wrestling sometimes is a father son thing

[@phyllisgarber7997]

When mentioning who Eddie tag team with you neglected to mention Dickie Dickie steinborn and that was in the early sixties and when they would wrestle against Tojo Yamamoto and tyro miyake, every time they made Eddie bleed this little girl of 10 or 11 years old, would cry because Eddie was my idol and always will be

[@josephmiller9424]

I thought the early head injury he suffered could've played a part look at serial killers many had head injuries in some head injuries some become violent others depression which from a head injury I became super depressed but could he have murdered think shoddy land deal with the wrong people well one might have made it look like he took his own a shot to the side first was it on the side he use or the wrong side and most will put in the mouth or under the chin to the side could be murder

[@randallstucky9013]

He was actually shot twice first time wasn't enough he shot himself twice so sad

[@josephmiller9424]

@@randallstucky9013 that's crazy if he had the ability to shoot twice I am surprised nobody was looked at 2 times one tough M.F

[@robertholbrook5873]

Interesting to see how dark side if the ring covers this topic should be very interesting

[@brandonizaguirre2963]

You beat me to it

[@michaelhunziker7287]

Saw Slayer @ Eddie Graham Sports Stadium

[@johnsawh8459]

I grew up in Clearwater Florida in the 80's and watch CWF, so I am quite familar witb their story, very sad indeed

[@seanbean3826]

Nice job of ending with Eddie's community outreach. The Graham story is as awful as Jake the snakes now that I've heard it. Just tragic.

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

Some parts are difficult to understand as you cover a lot in a few sentences, and those sentences are quickly spoken, which makes pronunciation difficult to pick up But another good documentary nonetheless.

[@mringram]

Informative

[@Meatball2022]

Very well made video. I remember Mike well. I grew up in south Florida in the 70’s and 80’s.

[@adamsifford6228]

I grew up watching Awa Nwa when I was a kid . Me and my grandpa went back and forth every week end to Ri chmond to Roanoke.. Just to see the best future of WCW... The wwe bought out every good brand and messed it up.

[@GeordieJamie84]

Love these videos respect all way from 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@BIGM-gg9ln]

sad and tragic.

[@darkworldinc]

Well made.

[@Carolina_Fresh]

Great video

[@OriginalWrestlingDocumentaries]

Thanks!

[@jamiethompson1008]

Eddie graham should be proud. They produced the best wrestler ever besides Austin and thats Hulk Hogan

[@wgrimm88]

Well done I enjoyed this

[@waynesworldofmodeling2574]

Eddie gram had the best mind for wrestling in history and he taught dusty everything he knew and when dusty left for the nwa Eddie knew he was done for because dusty made the nwa the best wrestling company in the world and nobody could get close to them not even the WWF. Vince McMahon was so scared of the nwa that he went to all the cable companies and told them if they showed starcade Vince wouldn't let them have WrestleMania 🤣 hell to this day the only company that Vince was ever worried about was dusty and the nwa

[@rickjames2.0]

Um WCW would like a word with you.🤔

[@waynesworldofmodeling2574]

@@rickjames2.0 nwa died when it was sold to tbs and changed it to wcw

[@donguapisimo4222]

I think you mean when Dusty was booking in Jim Crockett Promotions. They were giving the WWF stiff competition then.

[@waynesworldofmodeling2574]

@@donguapisimo4222 yeah that was the downfall because his son did a interview on one of the you shoot KZbin videos and he said that was killed Eddie because all his money was gone and his main money maker left for nwa

[@rickjames2.0]

@@waynesworldofmodeling2574 I know that but you said Dusty was the only one to make Vince nervous but he was more worried about WCW than he ever was of the NWA