Harley Race passed away August 1st, 2019 at the age of 76 after a battle with lung cancer. It’s hard to believe he was only 76, as his impact on professional wrestling makes it feel like he was part of the business forever. This week, many will reflect on his career that spanned seven decades, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to wrestling.
The night I was born was also the night Harley Race passed the torch. On November 24, 1983, at the inaugural Starrcade, Race lost to Ric Flair in a steel cage match, marking a significant moment in wrestling history. Flair, who never forgot Race’s contribution, often speaks of him with reverence, calling him one of wrestling’s greatest icons. At TWM, we honor Race’s legacy by remembering his remarkable career.
For those around my age, 35, the first impression of Harley Race might be from his time as Vader’s manager in WCW during the early 1990s. However, Race’s journey began much earlier. He overcame polio, a disease that also affected his uncle, and used his early wrestling experience to rise through the ranks. Starting as a driver and valet for the 800-pound Happy Humphrey in 1960, Race learned the ropes and earned his spot in the ring.
By 18, Race was wrestling under the name Jack Long in Nashville. A tragic car accident, which claimed the life of his pregnant wife, nearly ended his career. Despite this setback, Race made a miraculous recovery and returned to wrestling, adopting the name Harley Race. He made his mark in various promotions, including the AWA, where he teamed with Larry “The Axe” Henning.
Race’s career reached its pinnacle when he became the NWA World Champion in 1977, a title he held with distinction. He faced legends like Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair, and his rivalries became the stuff of legend. Despite his later, less celebrated tenure in the WWF as “King” Harley Race, he was respected and given a fitting tribute, though he never quite recaptured his former glory.
In the 1990s, Race retired from in-ring competition and focused on managing, notably for Vader in WCW. He made occasional appearances for WWE and TNA/Impact, and was highly respected by the current generation of wrestlers. His influence extends beyond his wrestling career; he was known for pioneering innovative moves and helping to shape the modern wrestler’s look.
Race’s legacy includes his role in training the next generation of wrestlers, including the von Erichs and Tommaso Ciampa. As Triple H, a known admirer of Race, leads WWE, it’s likely that Race’s contributions will be honored in perpetuity. Rest in peace, Harley Race. Your impact on professional wrestling will never be forgotten.
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