Photo for Headline Surfer / Mike Graham, shown above in this vintage black-and-white photo from his start in professional wrestling in the early 1970s, followed in his late father's tragic footsteps by killing himself with a firearm, while visiting Daytona for the fall biker rally.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Former professional wrestler Mike Graham who was in Daytona Beach for Biketoberfest was found dead Friday by his wife, reportedly of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was 61.
While police have released few details on the Tampa native's death, multiple wrestling websites are reporting the death was the result of suicide by shooting himself in the head. Graham's father, the legendary wrestler and National Wrestling Alliance promoter in Florida, also shot himself to death in 1985, after battling alcoholism most of his life.
Though the younger Graham never wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment, he had ties to the premier wrestling organization, including the production of a 2006 video on the retired wrestler known in the squared circle as the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
WWE star Dustin Rhodes, the son of the now-retired wrestler, paid homage to Mike Graham on his Twitter account, writing, "R.I.P. to my mentor in the business mike graham. May God be with his family. He will be missed. Love U Mike.”
The WWE issued a statement late Friday on Graham's tragic demise: "WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Graham, 61, son of legendary promoter Eddie Graham. While never under contract with WWE, he was part of our extended family. The sports-entertainment world lost a beloved member today. WWE extends its sincerest condolences to his family and friends."
Graham, honored as Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year in 1972, wrestled for several wrestling organizations into the early 1990s, including the former American Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling, now defunct organizations known better by their respective acronyms, AWA and WCW.
After retiring from in-ring competition, Graham continued his association with WCW as an agent and trainer through 2000. He accepted his father's posthumous induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Graham, whose real name was Michael Gossett, utilized the "figure four" leglock submission move, by tying up an opponent's legs with his own, often while teaming up in the ring with his more famous father.
Graham's signature move was later adopted by another famous wrestler now semi-retired, the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
Mike Graham, whose real name was Michael Gossett, utilized the "figure four" leglock submission move, by tying up an opponent's legs with his own, often while teaming up in the ring with his more famous father.
Graham's signature move was later adopted by another famous wrestler now semi-retired, the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, shown here.
A decade ago, Graham hosted a show for a year with wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage, killed in a car wreck last year after suffering a heart attack.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.