April 30, 1977:  "Superstar" Billy Graham raises the WWWF title belt high above his head, for the first time ever, moments after defeating Bruno Sammartino in Baltimore, MD.

In professional wrestling, a successful champion must, in the end, be judged almost solely on how much money he drew while holding the belt.  Taking this into consideration, of all the WW(W)F champions, history has shown that BIlly Graham must be considered to be among the most successful in the history of the promotion.

For nearly the entire twentieth century, the McMahon family has held its promotion's top cards in the building that has often been called "the Mecca of wrestling," New York's famed Madison Square Garden.  Of every champion that has ever defended the WWF championship in The Garden (including legends such as Buddy Rogers, Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock) "Superstar" Billy Graham boasts the highest percentage of MSG sellouts, an impressive 95%.

Having drawn capacity crowds of over 22,000 fans to 17 out of the 18 cards that he main-evented, Graham also ranks fifth in total MSG sell-outs, behind Pedro Morales, Antonio Rocca (who main-evented MSG without ever holding the belt, often in tag matches), Bob Backlund and Bruno Sammartino.

Only one man can, at this time, ever hope to dethrone Graham as the WWF champion with the highest percentage of MSG sell-outs -- The Rock, Duane Johnson.  Given his age and incredible popularity, it seems likely that one day, several years from now, The Rock may just surpass The Superstar as the "King of Madison Square Garden."  However, if and when that day comes, it will be after (at least) a thirty-year reign at the top for Graham.

Eat your heart out, Bruno...