Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair comment on being influenced by “Superstar” Billy Graham

While speaking to SI.com, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair paid tribute to the late “Superstar” Billy Graham and commented on being influenced by him…

Hogan: “He looked like a superhero, but when the good guy put his fist up and acted like he was going to punch him in the face, Billy Graham would drop to his knees and start begging and pleading. I modeled ‘Hollywood’ Hogan after that. Watch Hogan-Sting from WCW, and you’ll see a lot of the way Billy Graham carried himself in the ring. Even as a babyface, I did that, too. He was really something special. I still remember ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham standing on the second turnbuckle and doing the double bicep. That was the moment for me. I told my dad, ‘I want to be just like that guy.’ I was already a huge Dusty Rhodes fan, but ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham took it to a whole new level.”

Flair: “I tried to be just like Billy, but there’s only one Billy. I have so many fond memories. I was his chauffeur, driving him around in that white El Dorado with red interior. I loved that. His wife was the first woman to ever bleach my hair. He and Dusty (Rhodes) were the two biggest influences on me, ever, in this business. They were so damn charismatic. It was a gift.”