He was the Greatest Wrestler on God’s Green Earth. He was Handsome. He was Mad Dog. He was the King. He was Harley Race, and now he’s gone at age 76, from a myriad of health issues through the years, including lung cancer.
His official Twitter account, run by the same people who take care of his training facility and wrestling promotion, World League Wrestling, confirmed the news on August 1, 2019. “Today at 12:50, we lost the man that fought up until the very last of his existence. More information will be released soon, but just know that he loved pro-wrestling and the fans that loved him.”
Race wasn’t the biggest, nor the smoothest, nor the most technical, but when you talk about the toughest and most believable wrestlers in history, his name will always come up.
Ric Flair once called Race “the toughest man on the planet.”
Then there were Race’s eight reigns as NWA World champion.
That meant that on eight different occasions, he had wrestling’s greatest heat-getter in his possession. “Ninety per cent of the places that you went, you went in there, anyone who booked you always wanted their fans to cheer their local guy. Whether you’re a heel or a babyface fan, you want to see that title change hands in front of you,” said Race in The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. “I just let the title be the biggest part of the heel.”
That’s not to say that Race couldn’t be a heel in his own right, with dastardly tricks and mean stomps to his opponents. He could. Race was as tough as they came, and the fans recognized that. Their hero would have to go through hell to take that gold from his waist.
Race doesn’t believe that he ever really studied the art of being a heel. “With me, it just came kind of natural. In the making of a good heel, you’ve got to be where you respond to the people, you acknowledge the people; you treat your opponent and referee in the same fashion, and then have the moves and the technique to pull it off.”
Of course, few others can say that they worked on the farm of former world champion Stanislaus Zbyszko, and his brother Wladek, as a teen, and then that they helped bathe the massively obese, 700-pound gimmick wrestler Happy Humphrey. But those are only part of Harley Leland Race’s credentials.
Some others: Born April, 11, 1943, in Maryville, Mo.; kicked out of high school at 15, he stayed on the family farm until he got up the moxie to approach Gust Karras for a spot on his wrestling show in a traveling carnival; old pros like Buddy Austin, Ray Gordon and Bobby Graham got him ready for pro wrestling; he debuted at age 16, and began driving Humphrey around before landing a role as John Long’s tag team partner (Harley was Jack Long); he also survived a car crash that killed his new bride Christmas night 1961 and kept him on the shelf for 21 months.
The first major spot for the 6-foot, 238-pound Race came in the AWA, where he was “Handsome” alongside “Pretty Boy” Larry Hennig, whom he had met in Texas. “Harley came in here as just a young kid to Minnesota. Harley’s about seven or eight years younger than I am,” said Hennig. “Harley came to Minnesota and wrestled on TV. They just threw us in one day together and all of a sudden, it was unbelievable. We were a good team because we didn’t do the same things. I was more surface transportation and he was more air express. It worked out real good for us.”
The pairing ran from 1964 to 1969, and it was beer-drinkin’, gravely-voiced folk hero, The Crusher (Reggie Lisowski), that nicknamed them the Dolly Sisters.
Initially, the team took on an effeminate air with the mannerisms, tights, and affectations of pretty boys. “The Dolly Sisters aren’t even good amateurs. Larry Hennig can’t drink beer worth anything, and Harley Race goes to a hairdresser. What kind of men would do that?” The Crusher asked in a 1967 interview.
In fact, they were just the opposite of the way rivals Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher portrayed them. Eddie Sharkey recalled an incident in Denver when fans piled onto Race and one maniac bit the wrestler’s finger. Race responded with a real life eye gouge, Sharkey said. “He could be a street fighter when he needed to be,” Sharkey said.
“I worked with Harley Race and Larry Hennig probably close to a thousand times. They were great,” an admiring Rene Goulet said. “When they were getting the heat on you, the people believed it. But you had to work good with them too.”
It was in the AWA that Race’s star began to rise, and he became respected as one of the best bump-takers in the business — his diving headbutt can still be pictured in the mind’s eye. His reputation as a tough guy lives on as well, and not just with the homemade tattoos on his arms. “Harley could whip just about anybody. Boy, we had some pretty good fights out on the street there and never lost,” said Sharkey. “[AWA promoter] Verne [Gagne] never really cared if you got in a fight. If you lost, you were out. As long as you won, it was fine.”
Race bought into the Kansas City promotion in 1970, in part to start a family, it didn’t stop his combative ways. “For years, we challenged everybody,” recalled Roger Kirby, who was Central States and Florida tag champ with Harley — now dubbed “Mad Dog” Race. “We never backed down from anybody, truck drivers, anybody, weightlifters. Anybody who wanted to challenge us in the ring, if you could beat us in 10 minutes, we’d give you $1,000. Neither one was ever beaten, and this went on for 10 or 15 years. But Harley was tough. Marks are unbelievably stupid.”
Race also had the respect of his peers as a booker, which included stints in Amarillo, Florida, Atlanta and in Kansas City and St. Louis, where he was hands on when he was there, and still involved when he was on the road. He kept all his old booking records. “I’ve got them here in my desk. They go back to the late ’70s through the ’80s when I hooked up with Vince [McMahon of WWF],” said Race years ago.
The added responsibility behind the scenes was welcomed by Race, who enjoyed the challenge of making new stars. “I always kept myself in a position of power that if something happened, or somebody left, I could step back in and take over,” he explained. “It’s always easier, and you can keep your heat a lot longer, if occasionally you go out there and work with a young talent that you’re trying to get over anyhow. You can make that talent and keep your heat at the time, and then you’re just putting somebody else in line that can draw money for you.”
Attention to detail is what Rick Martel remembers about Race. “Everything’s paced with Harley, it was always about the technicality of the moves, how he was doing those moves. That was important to him. Everything had to be precise, how he landed — when he landed the bump, everything would hit at the same time. The co-ordination this guy had was unreal.”
Some memories stick around. “Harley was such a great heel. On TV in El Paso, he took a brick. He kept hitting himself in the head with a brick and he got a hard way with it. That was real. He was busting himself open, live on camera,” recalled Tom Prichard. “He was crazy. He’s a beer drinking, whiskey drinking, smoking, filthy, dirty rotten son of a gun. In real life. He’s really not, but he is.”
His first NWA World title reign is still his sweetest memory from the business, though he held other prestigious belts, including the PWF World title in Japan, and the Missouri State and Central States belts on many occasions. Working earlier with the Funks in Amarillo meant that he had their trust, so that when the NWA decided to take the title from Dory Funk Jr. and get it to Jack Brisco, and the Funks balked, Race was the interim champion. What few counted on was that he would be back again and again and again as champion.
His partner in the Heart of America promotion, Bob Geigel, credited Race’s longevity to good health and the ability to fit where he was needed. “He talked like wrestling fans understood him,” said Geigel years ago. “He could change his style with the different wrestlers in the ring. You knew that if he went someplace to work as a heel, he could work as a heel, he could work as a babyface, it didn’t make any difference.”
In late 1985, having turned over the NWA World title for the final time to Ric Flair, Race told his partners in the Kansas City promotion that he was done, and was jumping to the WWF. It was a shocking move to many traditionalists, who saw the growing WWF as a cartoonish fad that insulted the history of wrestling.
Soon after his arrival, the company decided to make Race their “King” in the second King of the Ring tournament. Race saw the title as his transformation from hated heel to beloved elder statesman. “I hated it. I was always my own man, and I didn’t care for the glitz, I was just Harley Race,” he said. Given Bobby Heenan as a manager meant automatic heat anyway, though Race admits that the WWF style of fan hatred was different than what he was used to. “Well, it was a cheaper type heat,” he said. “I didn’t change my style, I was just a little more cockier at doing it.” After runs against Hacksaw Duggan, Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog, Race left in 1988, competing even after hospitalization for peritonitis.
He would resurface in WCW in 1991 as a manager, and took two more men — Lex Luger and Vader — to the world championship. An auto accident in 1995 derailed his career. It took a few years to recover and decide what he wanted to do with his life. He let his body heal, then tried bounty hunting.
With his third wife, Beverly “B.J.,” whom he met in 1990, Race opened up the Harley Race Wrestling Academy and World League Wrestling, based out of Eldon, Missouri, beginning in 1999.
Of course, “Handsome” Harley taught the art of being a good and bad guy. “There’s an art to being either one of them, and if you learn them both, that’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “It’s much easier if you start right at the beginning when you’ve got them. Then as you bring them up and you start testing them, I’ve got a couple of kids now where I’m in the process now of one night or one weekend, they’re going to be a heel. The following weekend, I’m going to put them with somebody and they’re going to be the babyface. I want them to learn both ways.”
The late Kansas City announcer Bill Kersten knew Race before he ever became a wrestler. “He was successful because he was a great worker, and a business person,” Kersten said. “Harley was always looking on the positive side of his profession and he was always looking for something better. He has found that now, with the WLW and getting young folks, men and women, interested in the profession.”
B.J. Race handled a ton of the business end of WLW, and used an email address with “WLWMom” in it, and the Cauliflower Alley Club presented her with a special award in 2009. She died October 9, 2009. “She was the most wonderful woman in the world,” said Race in an interview for his wife’s local newspaper obit.
At her funeral, Race used a walker to get around. Over the subsequent years, fans got used to seeing him with a mobility device at various appearances. He may have moved slower than before, but his mind was still sharp, and his voice, growly and the words carefully measured for impact, was the same.
Race faced a ton of health challenges in recent years, including lung cancer and breaking both legs in a fall in the spring of 2017.
Over the last two decades, few have had more honors bestowed upon themselves than Race. He has been inducted to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2004), the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2005), the WWE Hall of Fame (2004), and, topping it all off, the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Iron Mike Mazurki Award in June 2006. “Like I said with every award that I’ve gotten, it’s always fabulous when a group of your peers honor you for anything. The Iron Mike Award, I guess as far as awards are concerned, would be the highest in wrestling. Of course it makes you feel good.”
***
The accolades have been pouring in celebrating the legacy of Harley Race. To start, let’s quote a tweet from Lance Storm which sums it all up: “#RIP Harley Race. This is why we should not throw the term Legend around freely. It needs to be saved for people like Harley who truly are.”
A unique video comes from the National Wrestling Alliance, which interviewed Race alongside current NWA World champion Nick Aldis. “In one of Harley Race’s last public interviews, he appeared on #TenPoundsOfGold with @RealNickAldis about what it means to be the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship,” reads the tweet at @nwa. The videographer, David Lagana (@Lagana) weighed in as well: “When we shot this, everyone gathered around behind us… it really was such a magical moment for us that Harley cared enough to do this with us.”
Even the most powerful man in the wrestling business noted Race’s death on Twitter.
Vince McMahon @VinceMcMahon
Harley Race was literally the King of his profession for 25 years. Long live the King.
Some of the other comments:
Ric Flair, The Nature Boy
Today We Lost Not Only A Great Personal Friend, But In My Estimation The One And Only REAL World Champion. Without Harley Race, There Was No Ric Flair. I Tried My Hardest Every Day To Live Up To His Standard In The Ring. He Will Be Greatly Missed, But Always Remembered By Myself And So Many Others. The Stories Of Harley Race Will Live On Forever! Rest In Peace My Friend!
TAZ @OfficialTAZ
One if the true pioneers of displaying toughness, skill, talent, credibility & physicality in a wrestling ring. That’s who #HarleyRace was…complete Champion, Legend, Icon. #RIP
Bob Cook on Facebook
Just hearing the sad and depressing news about the passing of the legendary Harley Race. Harley was such a huge part of my childhood growing up, whenever he came to town Championship prices were in effect a sold-out crowd showed up and a knock-down-drag-out fight took place. Harley was what a pro wrestler should be first class from head to toe and bad to the bone from beginning to end. I thank him for those childhood memories, I thank him for always being cool to me personally during my time in wrestling and I send out my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. May the greatest wrestler on God’s green earth forever rest in peace. A true legend gone but he will never be forgotten. R.I.P. MR Race
Triple H @TripleH
Everything about Harley Race commanded RESPECT… Today our world mourns with all the RESPECT you deserve… One of my favorite people in the business and in life. See you down the road, my friend. #LegendsNeverDie #ThenNowForever
Jim Ross @JRsBBQ
I’ve never respected any wrestler more than Harley Race. He was unequaled in the ring and as physically & mentally tough as anyone I’ve ever met. For pool players in Heaven, when Harley’s gravely voice says, “I’ve got next” he means it! RIP Friend
Gary Cappetta on Facebook
So sad to hear of the passing of wrestling great, Harley Race. We shared many good times entertaining hundreds of thousands of fans across continents. The Champ will be missed.
Tommy Dreamer @THETOMMYDREAMER
@8XNWAChampion was the @nwa I hated him as a fan becasue he did his job so well. Honored to call him friend. Heaven just got a lot tougher
Alex Marvez @alexmarvez
Saddened to hear of Harley Race’s passing. An amazing talent & I later had the honor of writing a pro wrestling training guide with him, @REALSteamboat & @LesThatcher. During that process, Harley choked me out legit with 2 fingers to make sure I showed proper respect for the biz
Jimmy Korderas @jimmykorderas
The word legend and trailblazer gets thrown around alot. Harley Race is all of those and so much more. Rest in Power sir.
Adam Pearce @ScrapDaddyAP
Godspeed, Harley Race. When I wore the “ten pounds of gold”, in my head I was you. Of course I could never hold a candle to you, but your example inspired me to try my damndest. I’m grateful for the time we shared, and I thank you forever for paving the way. Rest well, King.
Madison Rayne @MadisonRayne
Saddened to hear the news of Harley Race’s passing. The entire wrestling community mourns with his family and friends. #RIPHarleyRace ????
IMPACT @IMPACTWRESTLING
IMPACT Wrestling is saddened to hear of the passing of Harley Race. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Nattie @NatbyNature
The Hart family loves you forever King Harley Race. Grateful I got to tell you what you meant to my grandfather Stu Hart, who adored you. My thoughts and prayers to Harley’s family today??
CORINO @StevenCorino
A few years ago I was fortunate to coach at the @8XNWAChampion camp.
Harley wasn’t feeling good, but then there was this short window of where he was the Harley that the old school wrestlers talked about. It was amazing being under his learning tree.
Rest well Mr. Race.
Cody Rhodes @CodyRhodes
Thank you Harley. So many legends in the industry will tell you he was the toughest to ever do it. He never stopped giving. I remember when he managed Vader in wcw, he would still try and scare me backstage. Ten pounds of gold never looked better on anybody.
Santino Marella @milanmiracle
We lost a legend today, a real genuine true to the core legend #RIPHarleyRace
Joe E Legend on Facebook
RIP to the great Harley Race. I got the chance to get to know him a bit during my time with TNA and I’ve been told I have the honour of having some of my photos from Japan on the walls of his school. An era of class and genuine legitimacy parts this world with him. His memory should be celebrated as his legacy is assured. Mr Race leaves a hole in our industry and he will truly be missed.
Michael PS Hayes @MichaelPSHayes1
So sorry to hear about one of the TRUE GREATS, Harley Race passing away. He was one of my hero’s for many reasons. There will never be another one like him!! My condolences to his family, friends and fans.
SID VICIOUS @SychoSidEudy
Harley Race was one of the toughest men to ever grace a professional wrestling ring or out. His mind and passion for the business, second to none. He was a mentor and a friend. #RIPHarleyRace
David Penzer @davidpenzer
When I was a kid my Dad took me to the matches and @8XNWAChampion was World Champ. Fast forward, the coolest thing my Dad ever thought I got to do in the biz was going to BBQ’s at Harley’s home when WCW was in KC. It was an honor to become friends. RIP Champ!
Gabe Sapolsky @BookItGabe
RIP to one of the greatest and toughest ever. I dealt with him on making Joe vs Kobashi happen. He had an aura that commanded respect. He was an innovator. He was the embodiment of a champion. There will never be another like him.
