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Harley Race


Last updated by M.A LeBlanc on August 2, 2019

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Check out Harley Race’s WWE Alumni profile here!

Title History

  • AWA World Tag Team titles w/ Larry Hennig defeating Dick the Bruiser and Crusher (January 30, 1965);
  • AWA World Tag Team titles w/ Larry Hennig defeating Vern Gagne and Crusher (August 7, 1965);
  • IWA (Australia) World Tag Team titles w/ Larry Hennig Awarded (June 1966);
  • AWA World Tag Team titles w/ Larry Hennig defeating Dick the Bruiser and Crusher (January 6, 1967);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Sonny Myers (April 5, 1968);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bob Geigal (1971);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bob Geigal (June 1971);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating The Stomper (July 7, 1972);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Pak Song [Tournament] (September 16, 1972);
  • NWA (Central States) North American Tag Team titles w/ Roger Kirby defeating Rufus R. Jones and The Stomper (November 2, 1972);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Dory Funk Jr. (March 24, 1973);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bob Brown (September 22, 1973);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Gene Kiniski (October 13, 1973);
  • Stampede North American Heavyweight title defeating Archie Gouldie (February 22, 1974);
  • ESA (Montreal) North American Heavyweight title (May 7, 1974);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bob Brown (July 11, 1974);
  • NWA Georgia Heavyweight title defeating Mr. Wrestling II (September 13, 1974);
  • NWA (Mid Atlantic) United States Heavyweight title defeating Johnny Weaver [Tournament] (1975);
  • NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/ Roger Kirby (1975);
  • NWA Mid America Heavyweight title (1975);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Dory Funk Jr. (February 21, 1975);
  • NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/ Roger Kirby defeating Johnny Weaver and Dick Slater (April 16, 1975);
  • NWA Florida Tag Team titles w/ Bob Roop (June 14, 1975);
  • NWA (Florida) Southern Heavyweight title defeating Dusty Rhodes (September 1975);
  • NWA Mid America Heavyweight title defeating Magnificent Zulu (September 9, 1975);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Bob Brown (July 8, 1976);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Terry Funk (February 6, 1977);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Dusty Rhodes (August 26, 1979);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Giant Baba (November 7, 1979);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Giant Baba (September 9, 1980);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Tommy Rich (May 1, 1981);
  • WWA (Indianapolis) World Heavyweight title defeating Bobo Brazil (April 24, 1982);
  • NWA (All Japan) United National Heavyweight title defeating Jumbo Tsuruta (August 1, 1982);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Dick the Bruiser (September 17, 1982);
  • PWF (Japan) Heavyweight title defeating Giant Baba (October 26, 1982);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Jerry Blackwell (May 13, 1983);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Dewey Robertson (June 2, 1983);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Ric Flair (June 10, 1983);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating David Von Erich (January 6, 1984);
  • NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Ric Flair (March 21, 1984);
  • NWA Central States Heavyweight title defeating Hacksaw Higgins (October 25, 1984);
  • NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Jerry Blackwell (August 2, 1985);
  • CWA (Mid America) Heavyweight title defeating Koko Ware (October 7, 1985);
  • WWF King of the Ring Tournament Winner defeating Pedro Morales in the Finals (July 14, 1986);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Heavyweight title defeating Miguelito Perez (January 6, 1990);
  • OnlineWorldofWrestling.com Hall of Fame Inductee (2002);
  • WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Hall of Fame Inductee (2004);

Harley Race Career Highlights

In the Beginning:

  • Harley Race wrestled as “Jack Long” early in his career teaming with Johnny Long as the Long Brothers.
  • 1963: Harley Race wrestled as “The Great Mortimer” in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Early in Harley Race’s professional wrestling career, tragedy struck when he was involved in a major car accident.
  • ~~~Harley’s injuries were so bad that doctors told him he may never walk and would definitely never wrestle again.

American Wrestling Association:

  • Harley Race teamed with Larry “the Ax” Hennig in the American Wrestling Association.
  • January 30, 1965: Harley Race and Larry Hennig beat Crusher Lisowski and Dick the Bruiser to win the AWA World Tag Team titles.
  • August 7, 1965: Harley Race and Larry Hennig beat Crusher Lisowski and Verne Gagne to win the AWA World Tag Team titles again.

National Wrestling Alliance:

  • May 23, 1973: Harley Race defeated Dory Funk Jr. to win the NWA World title (Lost the title 4 months later to Jack Brisco).
  • February 2, 1977: Harley Race defeated Terry Funk to win the NWA World Heavyweight title (2).
  • August 8,1979: “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes defeated Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight title.
  • June 10, 1983: Harley Race defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight title (7).
  • March 21, 1984: Harley Race defeated Ric Flair in New Zealand to win the NWA World Heavyweight title (8).
  • March 21, 1984: Ric Flair defeated Harley Race to recapture the NWA World title in Singapore.
  • ~~~THIS TITLE CHANGE WAS NEVER RECOGNIZED BY THE National Wrestling Alliance.
  • September 28, 1985 – AWA SuperClash: Jumbo Tsuruta and Giant Baba and Genichiro Tenryu defeated Harley Race and Bill and Scott Irwin.
  • April 20, 1986 – AWA WrestleRock: Rick Martel vs Harley Race fought to a double count-out.
  • Summer 1986: Harley Race was forced to turn over his NWA Missouri Title because he was leaving for the WWF.

World Wrestling Federation:

  • Harley Race signed with the WWF where he was originally known as “Handsome” Harley Race and managed by Bobby Heenan.
  • June 22, 1986: King Tonga vs Harley Race ended in a double disqualification.
  • July 14, 1986: Harley Race won the King of the Ring Tournament and officially adopted the “King of Wrestling” moniker.
  • August 28, 1986 – The Big Event: “The King” Harley Race defeated Pedro Morales.
  • November 1, 1986 – Superstars Of Wrestling: King Harley Race defeated Jose Luis Rivera.
  • November 24, 1986 – MSG Network: Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper defeated Paul Orndorff and Harly Race w/ Bobby Heenan.
  • December 14, 1986 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Paul Roma.
  • December 27, 1986 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Sivi Afi.
  • January 11, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Jerry Monti.
  • January 31, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Greg Vance.
  • February 1, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Koko B. Ware.
  • February 15, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Moondog Spot.
  • February 21, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Salvatore Bellomo.
  • February 23, 1987 – MSG Network: Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper and The Junkyard Dog defeated Adrian Adonis, King Harley Race and Randy Savage.
  • March 1, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Mario Mancini.
  • March 14, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Don Driggers.
  • March 28, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Jerry Allen.
  • March 29, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Rick Hunter.
  • March 29, 1987 – WrestleMania III: Harley Race defeated The Junk Yard Dog in a “Loser Must Bow” match.
  • April 4, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Don Driggers.
  • April 12, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Jim Young.
  • April 18, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Billy Anderson.
  • May 1, 1987 – Live Event: King Harley Race defeated Sivi Afi.
  • May 3, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Nelson Veilleux.
  • May 9, 1987 – Live Event: Hulk Hogan defeated Harley Race to retain the WWF Heavyweight title.
  • May 16, 1987 – Live Event: King Harley Race defeated Corporal Kirchner.
  • May 24, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeated Jerry Monti.
  • May 30, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Joe Mirto.
  • May 31, 1987 – Live Event: King Harley Race defeated Koko B. Ware.
  • June 1987 – Live Event: Hulk Hogan defeated Harley Race in a Texas Death match to retain the WWF title.
  • June 20, 1987 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race, King Kong Bundy and Paul Orndorff) defeated Don Driggers, Jim Powers, Mario Mancini and Paul Roma.
  • June 28, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and Paul Orndorff) defeated Don Driggers, Dusty Wolfe and Rick Renslow.
  • July 11, 1987 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and King Kong Bundy) defeated Jim Evans, Mario Mancini and Paul Roma.
  • August 1, 1987 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and Rick Rude) defeated Jerry Allen, Mario Mancini and Ricky Hunter.
  • August 29, 1987 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and Rick Rude) defeated Frankie DeFalco, Pete Sanchez and Rick Gantner.
  • August 30, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Heenan Family (Hercules and King Harley Race) defeated The Young Stallions (Jim Powers and Paul Roma).
  • September 20, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race, King Kong Bundy and Rick Rude) defeated Brady Boone, Dusty Wolfe, Rudy Ryder and SD Jones.
  • September 21, 1987 – MSG Network: King Harley Race defeated Hillbilly Jim.
  • October 4, 1987 – Wrestling Challenge: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and King Kong Bundy) defeated Brady Boone, Chris Curtis and Scott Casey.
  • October 10, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Arthur Washington.
  • October 24, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Frankie DeFalco.
  • November 16, 1987 – Legends Night: Randy “Macho Man” Savage defeated “King” Harley Race.
  • November 26, 1987 – Survivor Series: Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat defeated Danny Davis, Hercules, King Harley Race, Ron Bass and The Honky Tonk Man in a tag team elimination match.
  • November 28, 1987 – Superstars: King Harley Race defeated Scott Casey.
  • January 23, 1988 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and Rick Rude) defeated Jerry Allen, Lanny Poffo and Scott Casey.
  • January 24, 1988 – Royal Rumble: Harley Race entered at #6 but was eliminated by Don Muraco.
  • January 25, 1988 – MSG Network: Jim Duggan defeated King Harley Race.
  • February 7, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: Jim Duggan defeated King Harley Race in a dark match.
  • February 18, 1988 – Live Event: King Harley Race defeated Outback Jack.
  • February 20, 1988 – Superstars: The Ultimate Warrior defeated King Harley Race by disqualification.
  • February 22, 1988 – MSG Network: The Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau) defeated Iron Mike Sharpe and King Harley Race.
  • March 5, 1988 – Superstars: The Heenan Family (Hercules, King Harley Race and Rick Rude) defeated Scott Casey, SD Jones and Sonny Rogers.
  • March 12, 1988 – Saturday Night’s Main Event #15: Hulk Hogan defeated “King” Harley Race.
  • March 27, 1988 – WrestleMania 4: Harley Race participated in a 20 Man Battle Royal, which was won by Bad News Brown.
  • April 3, 1988 – Wrestling Challenge: King Harley Race defeatd Jim Evans.
  • June 21, 1988: There was a coronation ceremony to name Haku the new “King” of the WWF after Harley Race was injured.
  • November 4, 1988 – Live Event: Harley Race defeated Scott Casey.
  • November 16, 1988 – Saturday Night’s Main Event #18: Harley Race defeated Alex Knight in a dark match.
  • November 20, 1988 – Live Event: Harley Race defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
  • November 24, 1988 – Survivor Series: Dino Bravo & The Heenan Family (Andre The Giant, Harley Race, Mr. Perfect and Rick Rude) defeated Jake Roberts, Jim Duggan, Ken Patera, Scott Casey and Tito Santana in a tag team elimination match.
  • Harley Race turned on Bobby Heenan and The Heenan Family, feeling betrayed that Heenan would make Haku the “King”.
  • December 2, 1988 – Live Event: Harley Race defeated SD Jones.
  • December 3, 1988 – Superstars: Harley Race defeated Jim Gorman.
  • December 4, 1988 – Live Event: Harley Race defeated Lanny Poffo.
  • December 17, 1988 – Prism Network: Harley Race defeated Danny Davis.
  • Late 1988: King Haku defeated Harley Race in a serious of WWF Live Events accross the country.
  • January 15, 1989 – Royal Rumble: King Haku w/ Bobby Heenan defeated Harley Race.

World Championship Wrestling:

Hall of Famer:

  • May 22, 1994: Harley Race was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame.
  • 1994: Harley Race was inducted into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame.
  • 1999: Harley Race was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
  • Harley Race is also a Great Hisa’s Puroesu Hall of Famer.
  • Harley Race says he copied his style from Buddy Austin and Ray Stevens.

Retirement:

  • Harley Race created his own wrestling promotion known as World League Wrestling (WLW).
  • Harley Race was the last person to speak to Owen Hart, saying “Don’t let your rope break.” – Something he regrets to this day.
  • Harley Race is/was possibly the most legendary NWA Champion of all time – with a total of eight reigns as Champion.
  • March 13, 2004 – WWE: Harley Race is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York City!
  • March 14, 2004 – Wrestlemania XX: Harley Race was honored with all the other Hall of Fame inductees during the Pay Per View.
  • April 26, 2004 – RAW: Harley Race attended in the front row and Randy Orton confronted him and SPIT in his face!
  • January 29, 2005 – WrestleReunion: Dusty and Dustin Rhodes and Mike Graham w/ Harley Race b Kevin Sullivan and Abdullah and CM Punk.
  • April 2, 2005 – World League Wrestling: Trevor Rhodes vs Brandon Bishop ended in a no contest with Mick Foley as referee.
  • ~~~Trevor Rhodes and Brandon Bishop and Johnny Gold attacked Mick Foley until Terry Funk and Harley Race made the save!
  • October 3, 2005 – WWE Homecoming: Harley Race participated in a Legends Ceremony which included roughly 24 Legends.
  • November 17, 2005 – Carolina Wrestling Association: Ric Converse (managed by Harley Race) defeated Jake Manning.
  • March 27, 2006 – Live Event (SD! crew): Mr. Ken Kennedy confronted WWE Hall of Famer “King” Harley Race in Joplin, Missouri.
  • June 2006: Harley Race was presented the Mike Mazurki Award at the 2006 Cauliflower Alley Club Convention in Las Vegas.
  • February 3, 2007 – Alternative Championship Wrestling: Scotty Matthews w/ Harley Race defeated The Bounty Hunter
  • June 24, 2007 – Vengeance (Night of Champions): Harley Race was honored as an 8-time former World Heavyweight Champion.
  • November 3, 2007 – Ring of Honor: Harley Race presented awards to legendary Japanese referee Joe Higuchi.
  • May 30, 2009 – NECW: “Handsome” Harley Race got a standing ovation and did commentary for the second half of the event.
  • August 1, 2019: Harley Race has passed away at the age of 76.

Dave Meltzer wrote via the Wrestling Observer (On October 9, 2009): B.J. Race, the wife of Harley Race, passed away tonight at Lake Ozark Regional Hospital. We don’t have much in the way of details but she was very well liked in the profession. She was a very important part of his support system and the two of then ran World League Wrestling and his wrestling school in Eldon, MO.