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Post by jimsteel on Oct 19, 2012 14:51:23 GMT -5
FROM LORDS OF PAIN Michael Gossett, professionally known as Mike Graham, passed away Friday at the age of 61.
He was in Daytona Beach, Florida for Biketoberfest and his wife found him deceased. Additional details concerning his death have not been released.
Former WWE wrestler Dustin Rhodes tweeted Friday afternoon, "R.I.P. to my mentor in the business mike graham. My god be with his family. He will be missed. Love u mike."
Rhodes continued, "Alcohol and drugs are not the answer kids! I promise it all leads to a dark place. Stay in school, don't use and mind ur parents."
Former WWE trainer Tom Prichard wrote to Rhodes, "Just got a text from a friend about Mike. RIP. U never know where that breakin point is. He was always good to me. sad.."
He then stated, "I'm shocked but not, at the same time. Does it matter what or why? God, pls take care of Mike. Don't know what else to say."
Graham is the son of late Championship Wrestling from Florida promoter Eddie Graham. He began his wrestling career in 1972 in the promotion and competed through the early 1990s for various leagues, including the American Wrestling Association and World Championship Wrestling. He continued to work for WCW through 2000 as an agent and trainer. In 2008, he accepted his father's posthumous induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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Post by chewey on Oct 19, 2012 17:54:18 GMT -5
RIP Mike. I only knew him as the host of the Championship Wrestling from Florida DVDs he was selling in the early 2000s before WWE bought his library, but he seemed like a good man.
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 19, 2012 21:33:59 GMT -5
Now its being reported he commited suicide
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Post by Vegas on Oct 20, 2012 0:26:41 GMT -5
I was really sad today to hear about the death of Mike Graham.
Last year at Wrestlereunion 5, I enjoyed meeting Mike Graham. Graham asked me where I was from and when I answered Las Vegas he told me some funny details about his previous trips to Las Vegas.
In addition to being sad about today's news, I was very surprised too as Graham seemed happy and healthy last year at WR5.
RIP.
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Post by cruefan68 on Oct 20, 2012 6:34:28 GMT -5
I have great childhood memories of watching Championship Wrestling from Florida with Gordon Solie in the early 1980's and of course Mike Graham was a top talent there. He had some great matches with the likes of Dory Funk, Jr., Ric Flair, and Harley Race during that time period. RIP.
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Post by LWPD on Oct 20, 2012 8:47:57 GMT -5
Mike reminded me of Greg Gagne in that they both grew up in and learned the family business, and despite not having natural star quality, developed into very respectable workers. As a wrestler MG had legit amateur credentials and an argument can be made that he was among the best junior heavyweights of the late 70s into mid 80s. RIP
Mike Graham vs Ric Flair '82
Mike Graham vs Nick Bockwinkel '83
Infamous Mike Graham/Freebird Angle '85
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