The faces of Harley Race
 

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Referee Richard Moody raises Harley Race's hand in victory following his first NWA Title win.

Dory Funk Jr. and announcer Bill Kersten can be seen in the background.

 

8x10 Autographed by Harley

15.00

"King of the Ring"
The Harley Race Story

Autographed by Harley

25.00

 

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Harley Race's legendary wrestling career spanned nearly four decades.   During that time Race won eight NWA World Championships (plus dozens of other regional titles), managed two wrestlers to the WCW World Championship (Lex Luger and Vader) and was involved in operating the NWA territories in Kansas City and St. Louis.

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Race with NWA Title - 1973

Harley Race as he appears in the Acclaim Legends of Wrestling game.

NWA President Sam Muchnick retiring the old World Championship Belt in Houston in 1973.  Harley Race lost the new belt that night to Jack Brisco.

(Photo Courtesy of Ed Chuman)

In 1973, Race won his first NWA World Title in Kansas City, defeating Dory Funk Jr. in a match which Race still feels was the best match of his entire career.  Funk had held the title for nearly four years, so it was quite an accomplishment for Race to emerge with the victory and the world title.

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Larry Hennig and Race -1967

Race - circa 1978

Race feuded with many other legendary wrestlers in the course of his career.  In addition to bloody rivalries with both Funk brothers, Harley had epic battles with others such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Dick the Bruiser, Bruiser Brody and many, many others.

Race reportedly has wrestled in every country in the world, with the exceptions of Russia and Communist China.  Race is particularly revered in Japan, having made over 60 trips there during his career.

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In addition to his success in the ring, Race also held a share of ownership in the Kansas City (Central States) and St. Louis regional promotions.   Two of Race's primary partners were Bob Geigel and former NWA World Champ Pat O'Connor.

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After working for the World Wrestling Federation for a few years in the late 1980's, Race became a manager for World Championship Wrestling.  Race distinguished himself in the WWF as a King of the Ring tournament winner.

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Legends of the NWA

Back row L-R:  Lou Thesz, Jack Brisco, Gene Kiniski, Harley Race

Front row L-R:  Dory Funk Jr., Sam Muchnick, Terry Funk

Photo by Marti Funk

In 1994, Race retired from the ring, and came back home to Kansas City.  Harley and his wife BJ have recently retired to their lake home in the Lake of the Ozarks.   They both enjoy traveling, and still attend wrestling events in Kansas City and nationwide.

 


For more on the wrestling career of Harley Race, click here to read the profile that I wrote for kayfabememories.com

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Click here for the most current listing of locations and dates for WLW wrestling events.

In the summer of 1999, Harley Race founded World League Wrestling.  Race is currently booking live events in the Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois, and hopes to be able to bring wrestling back to many of the smaller towns there.

Anyone interested in booking a wrestling event with World League Wrestling should e-mail the webmaster or write them at 119 S. Maple, Eldon, MO 65026.  For information on training with Harley Race at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy, call the academy at (573) 392-4100, or send e-mail to webmaster

 

 

 

 


Photos provided by Bob Geigel and Harley Race
Copyright © 2008 World League Wrestling