Customer Reviews
WWE and "Superstar" Take The Road Less Traveled
Before I review the DVD, I want to make something clear:
Other than this DVD, I have no other knowledge or "Superstar" Billy Graham. I didn't grow up watching him, so if anything significant is missing from the main documentary feature, I couldn't tell you what it is.
I love WWE DVDs like this one. 20 YEARS TOO SOON is unlike any other WWE production released. It uses the same "talking heads" and "montage" formats, but this apple is very different from the rest of the barrel.
The most successful superstars of today often give credit to guys like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, or Dusty Rhodes. I'm sure there are many others, but those seem to be the big three. Well, Rhodes and Hogan will be the first to tell you that "Superstar" Billy Graham was the original pioneer of sports entertainment. After watching this DVD, I'm sure most viewers will agree. Even though there were many great wrestlers who got plenty over with the fans, Graham --- according the documentary --- was the first to break through and put a pop culture spin on the product.
As with all other WWE programs like this, 20 YEARS TOO SOON highlights Graham's greatest matches, most famous promos, and struggles with success.
The match highlights mainly include Bruno Sammartino and Dusty Rhodes. There isn't much coverage in this area, but Graham wasn't an active competitor for very long (15 years, I think). We do get to see some good footage of his rivalries, each very easy to understand why they important for their time. I hate when WWE just assumes we know things from 20 years ago, don't you? For example, later in his career, "Superstar" used a bizarre "karate persona". I'll leave that one for you to learn about.
The promos are as masterful as they come. Graham wasn't an overly energetic personality like Hogan, Flair, or Rock. He's much closer to Jake Roberts, where his chosen words and body language didn't require a loud voice. If you want to compile a Top 10 list of the greatest talkers in televised wrestling, Graham easily deserves a spot.
I've read that Graham had stints in other promotions, which aren't included in 20 YEARS TOO SOON. If that's true, I don't know why they were left out. Since I'm someone who didn't know much about Graham, I wouldn't have noticed that anything was missing. But again, I don't think the pro wrestling itself is the heart of the story.
The struggles that Graham endured are what I want to address the most, because they are the true core of what the "Superstar" wants to be about. 20 YEARS TOO SOON isn't a traditional WWE feature. It's more of a biography, with wrestling in the background. Whoever made the final cut of the documentary is to be commended for taking a unique approach to this material. First off, "Superstar" Billy Graham is such a humble and grateful interviewee that it's impossible to dislike the man. He shows no anger, bitterness, or jealousy throughout the program. While he acknowledges how innovative he was for his time, Billy Graham equally enjoys seeing how his style influenced many of today's talent.
The documentary does address Graham's battle with drugs, health, and being physically unable to recapture his magic. I don't wanna get into a steroid debate, but Graham's story makes a good case for having a testing policy of some kind. His health issues are easy to understand why they happened, how they affected his career, and how Graham adapted to them.
Another strength in the documentary is that it doesn't focus too long on the negative aspects. Sure, it gets pretty rough in a few spots, but we are always reminded of the light at the end of the dark tunnel. 20 YEARS TOO SOON is ultimately a celebration of life. I don't wanna give anymore away, but I will spoil this tiny surprise. Vince McMahon actually gets a tad teary-eyed when he talks about "Superstar". I'll leave the rest of the gripping tale for you to discover.
The 2-disc set includes a handful of matches, deleted scenes, and promo footage. I like the selection of matches overall, but a few are a tad short. None are exactly masterpieces, but I always like trying to pretend that I'm watching a 70s broadcast live on TV. Fake nostalgia, I know.
The deleted scenes are all great; I have no idea why they aren't just in the main cut, other than WWE showing this on PPV. And as I said before, the promos and interviews are genius. I dare you not to laugh when Graham talks about "crushing coconuts".
20 YEARS TOO SOON is a DVD any fan will enjoy, as long as you're aware that the actual wrestling is secondary to the biography and historical details. I'm convinced that "Superstar" Billy Graham is most responsible for sports entertainment as we know it. He was ahead of his time and never got the incredible legacy he deserved. But because his peers know how much he mattered, I'm convinced that pro wrestling is in good hands.
Great for wrestling buffs
Alot of these organizations and superstars of the past I dont really remember or know too much about due to my age. Therefore I find alot of these documentaries to be very informative. I only remember Billy Graham during his feud with Harly Race, then around the time he made his comeback to the WWF. This really did provide alot of background on the character and the man Billy Graham.
The documentary kicks off with the Superstar talking about growing up with his family. His brother introducing to the weights and then later building his own weights to train because he couldn't afford to go to the gym. His football stints and training in Stu Hart's dungeon. His career in the WWWF to include a little bit of the AWA.
I dont want to spoil to much. I'll just say that I was a little disappointed that his other stints in other wrestling promotions to include rivalries wasn't touched on at all. To include the match selection is a big let down as well. They also didn't too much justice on his promotions either.
Still overall its a good documentary on his career and personal issues as well. This is a very good documentary and I feel most wrestling fans who are fascinated with the history of wrestling should check this out.
Match List
vs. Armando Rodriguez; AWA All Star Wrestling 8-25-73
vs. Angel Rivera; AWA All Star Wrestling 10-6-73
vs. Bruno Samartino WWWF Heavyweight Championship; Baltimore,MD 4-30-77
vs. Ivan Putski WWWF Heavyweight Championship; MSG 8-29-77
vs. Dusty Rhodes; Texas Death Match, WWWF Heavyweight Championship MSG 10-24-77
vs. Bob Backlund WWWF Heavyweight Championship; MSG 11-21-82
Thirty years too early
Superstar Billy Graham was the very first to tap into what would become "Sports Entertainment". It is pretty bizarre too see billy with tie dies, and muscles, walking, talking jiving, in an era while every one else was pale, fat, balding, and wore black trucks. The DVD shows the whole story, There is a promo he cut wearing a "Arizona State" T-shirt and his physique is absolutely superhuman. Conversely, the DVD also shows him at his depths, the DVD has match when he wrestles Bob Backlund, and Billy looks to have lost 200 pounds, and seriously appears to be one-hundred years old. His skin is just hanging on his skeleton, being held in place by stiches and band aids. People who wants more extras can get them for free on "Utube" just type "Superstar Billy Graham"
A true living legend
SBG really started what we see on wrestling today. This DVD was a real surprise. It was really well made and has tons on history on wrestlers and the business that has changed many times over the years. I met the Superstar at a resturant in Chandler AZ. and he was a true gentleman. This is a must see for wrestling fans of all generations.
Great Documentary, but extras lacking
This documentary is one of the best. I like documentaries where the subject speaks his heart and is vulnerable. They are willing to show their challenges(whether they are external or self-inflicted) and how they overcame them. This is a story on redemption. The extras felt really dated when you watch them. I did not really get into them. However this disk is worth it for the documentary.
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20 Years Too Soon - Superstar Billy Graham (WWE)
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