Superstar Billy Graham calls Vince"one evil man"

[Snitsky]

As reported earlier, "Superstar" Billy Graham had the termination notice World Wrestling Entertainment mailed him two weeks ago informing him of his release from the company posted online. Perhaps as thanks for all that he did for the company decades ago, WWE kept Graham on the company payroll under the guise of a consultant, but the troubling economy has forced them to cut costs wherever possible. Unfortunately for Graham, his contract was the latest in a long line of cost-cutting measures.

As you would imagine, Graham is upset over their decision to release him from his contract, but more so with his former employer's decision to claim all rights to his stage name and character. Although it should be noted he was using the "Superstar" Billy Graham persona long before he joined the company, which was then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation.

Graham sent out an e-mail commenting on the situation, which was forwarded to a number of people. In the e-mail, he calls Vince McMahon an "evil man" and says he should "burn in hell" for trying to prevent him from using his wrestling name.

We managed to get a hold of Graham's e-mail. Here is what was written in its enirety:

"One more thought concerning not being able to use my wrestling name of Superstar Billy Graham in any capacity related to wrestling once my contract is up. What if I wanted to paint a portrait of a dead wrestler, my dear and precious friend, Eddie G. And I wanted to sell this painting of Eddie for his memory to and for wrestling fans and wrestlers alike. I would not be able to sign my wrestling name of Superstar Billy Graham to a portrait I just painted of Eddie? Vince will indeed burn in Hell for trying to stop me from using my pro wrestling name, because he doesn't want me to, let him burn, he is one evil man."

pwpix

sorry if a repost

[James McCloud IS John Godot]

He wasn't so evil when he was cutting your cheques, eh Superstar?

[Mayonnaise]

It should probably also be noted that WWE said that they don't own the name.

WWE RESOLVES SUPERSTAR GRAHAM ISSUE
by Mike Johnson @ 3:49 PM on 5/4/2009

World Wrestling Entertainment sources confirmed this afternoon that the company does not intend to prevent former WWF champion Superstar Graham from using his ring name now that they have released him from his consultant's contract.

I was told the verbiage in the contract was simply standard issue for all performers, but since Graham has been using the names forever, there isn't an issue in WWE's eyes and he is free and clear to do whatever he wishes outside of their auspices.




EDIT: Don't forget that Graham has pulled crap like this before as well. He's a bitter man it seems.

[parder]

I think Blade should start reading out some these satanic promos again

[greeby]

Vince will indeed burn in Hell.........

Undertaker calls gimmick infringment

[doinkmark]

So since Graham CAN use the name, is Vince still evil?

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

The thing is, even if Vince HAD owned the name Billy Graham had been using it since the early 70's meaning that he would have had to sign it over to Vince in some capacity meaning there would be no one to blame but himself.

I think Mr Graham must be confused about how his Legends contract works. That contract allows WWE to use the name and likeness however they want, but it doesn't give them full ownership of it

[Randy Barber 4-Life]

May 4, 2009 23:27:42 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

The thing is, even if Vince HAD owned the name Billy Graham had been using it since the early 70's meaning that he would have had to sign it over to Vince in some capacity meaning there would be no one to blame but himself.

I think Mr Graham must be confused about how his Legends contract works. That contract allows WWE to use the name and likeness however they want, but it doesn't give them full ownership of it

Sounds more like he got a "form letter" termination with language that didn't really apply to him.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

May 5, 2009 0:04:59 GMT -5 Randy Barber 4-Life said:

May 4, 2009 23:27:42 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

The thing is, even if Vince HAD owned the name Billy Graham had been using it since the early 70's meaning that he would have had to sign it over to Vince in some capacity meaning there would be no one to blame but himself.

I think Mr Graham must be confused about how his Legends contract works. That contract allows WWE to use the name and likeness however they want, but it doesn't give them full ownership of it

Sounds more like he got a "form letter" termination with language that didn't really apply to him.

Actually, that makes sense. I could see that being the explanation.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Graham has "pulled crap" in the past, but this time he is justified in taking issue with them. He took the termination to mean that WWE would try to keep him from using his ring name since that's what it said. He had every reason to think that the wording in the termination letter applied to him. He spoke up and now WWE has backed away from this, though I believe they are being truthful in stating that they just issued him the standard termination letter which has that language.

[Lancers]

I don't know if I'd say he's evil. Manipulative? Perhaps. Insensitive? Maybe. Corporate scum? I suppose. Satan worshipper? Probably. But definitely NOT evil.

[The OP]

Does anyone else find the painting of a dead wrestler example he gives to be really really bizarre? I don't know him personally, but Superstar strikes me as a very odd guy.

["The Rated XXX Superstar" Jed]

May 5, 2009 0:50:56 GMT -5 The OP said:

Does anyone else find the painting of a dead wrestler example he gives to be really really bizarre? I don't know him personally, but Superstar strikes me as a very odd guy.

You know, if I wanted to get naked, smear myself in goat excrement, praise the great angels of death, and carve "Superstar Billy Graham" into my left leg, I can't do it. Vince is evil. *insert devil music here.

[Red Impact]

May 5, 2009 0:50:56 GMT -5 The OP said:

Does anyone else find the painting of a dead wrestler example he gives to be really really bizarre? I don't know him personally, but Superstar strikes me as a very odd guy.

Yeah, I was thinking that too. So... he wants to paint a picture of Eddie Guerrero, but is upset that he couldn't sign it?

And yeah, I think they just sent him a form letter without realizing it, and that they never really intended to try to keep him from using his name.

[azz0r]

Vince wasn't evil when he was paying him...how bizarre.

[Beans]

Billy Graham sucks as a human being.

The McMahon's gave him a platform to perform and paid him cheques on a regular basis, Vince himself paid for his hip replacement and kept him on staff long after his useage ran out in the ring and paid him to be a commentator - despite how AWFUL at it he was.

Then as things happen his employment was terminated and he runs to the tabloids to try to destroy Vince and WWE's top stars by making steroid accusations.

Few years later he's employed...Vince is good...

He's unemployed again...Vince is evil!!

"Superstar" Billy Graham, you FAIL as a human.

[sloride]

I echo the 'Vince wasn't evil when you were recieving his paychecks' sentiment.

[Bobby Womack]

pretty lame that he ran crying to the internet before actually contacting anyone in wwe to clear it up, but its also really sloppy for wwe legal to word a template document too specifically and send it to people it doesnt apply to

[Hassan bin Sober]

The Eddie G. card wins every time!

[bigsplash]

awesome, I love this

before he came "back" to the WWE he trashed the company for years off of the whole steroid deal. He cashes their checks, gets a DVD and a book, HAPPY DAYS!

Now WWE decides not to pay him for doing just about nothing and now he is upset about it?

Please