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Harley Race : Wrestling Legend Now Instructor Extrodinaire

Harley Race : Wrestling Legend Now Instructor Extrodinaire

Posted: May 20th 2016 By: Don Laible - UticaOD.com

Alright, I'll start the argument. Harley Race was the very best to have claimed the NWA heavyweight championship, this side of Lou Thesz.

I've seen a lot of pro wrestling matches over the past 45 years. From watching the best of the heavyweights on TV ( beginning on black and white TV), in person, on tape, DVD, and viewing tons of photographs ? oh, and on Super 8 mm film,too. In total, I am quite familiar with 15 champs who wore the once most recognized and respected strap in the wrestling business.

Harley Race could beat the snot out of most, if not all, who represented the NWA.

This is not say that I'm not a fan of nearly all who wore the NWA belt. But, when it came to work rate, shoot, if necessary, or work, Race sold the business like few have. When Harley entered the ring, you knew there was going to be anything but a hold-fest,once the bell rang. His matches created an air of ?realism? on the canvas.

Even at 73-years-old today, Race hasn't given up on the business that he rose to superstardom in. One week from today, exactly 43 years ago, on May 24 in Kansas City, Missouri, Race began what would be his first of eight reigns as NWA pinking. Wrestling today isn't what Race, of Quitman, MO, experienced when he started in the game in the early 1960′s, but he seems to be okay with that.

?Sometimes I look back at what I've done (in wrestling), and say, Holy Christ ? I don't believe it?, says Race. ? There have been a lot of changes in the business. You learn to learn, to go on.?

Some of the names of his former opponents are a bit fuzzy for Race to rapidly recall. There have been more than any self-appointed mat historian could name, as well. Staying active in passing on some of his experiences to possible future world champions allows Race to remain excited about his sport. Based in Troy,MO, Race has a training school, and an arena where shows are presented, with many of his students filling out the bill.

The World League Wrestling group spotlights the students of Race, who very well could be headliners for the WWE in the future. There are two training rings inside a 7,000 sq ft facility. Some of Race's ?old-school? wisdom comes out, and hopefully absorbed by his students for the long haul. ?When I was involved in a wrestling match, fans understood that once I was in the ring, it was time to preform?, Race explains.

Long before Harley was named to the WWE, NWA, and PWHF halls of fame, and decades back when squaring off against the game's cream of the crop in main events, with Jack Brisco, Ric Flair, ?Superstar? Billy Graham, and Bob Backlund, there was Happy Humphrey.

Well, once Race saw his first match on TV as a 13-year-old, he later connected with Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszko. The Zbyszkos were top draws during the 1910 and 1920 eras. At 6-foot-1-inch, and 245 lbs., by heavyweight wrestling standards, Race wasn't a giant. However, through the Zbyszkos, and others from the wrestling carnival era, the kid learned toughness, and how to take care of himself, regardless of his opponents' size.

Speaking of size ? Happy Humphrey. As billed as an attraction, the same as Andre the Giant and Haystack Calhoun, Humphrey , at 600 lbs., was a big, big man. Getting from arena to arena wasn't an easy task for the Georgian. Race's job was to drive Humphrey to his matches. The rest as they say, is wrestling history.

?I drove Happy for two to three years?, Race recalls.

As for Harley's opinion on former Six-Time NWA Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz - ?He (Thesz) was the type of wrestler who if he would have relaxed a little bit more, and got along with the younger generation coming in, he would have been better off?.

As a regional title holder, as well as the very best representing the NWA, Race traveled the world during his 30-plus years in the ring. He often globetrotted to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Canada, always in high demand by promoters. It was Gust Karras, a promoter based in St. Joseph, MO, who believed in Race, and gave him his first big break along the circuits. Of all the places that Race was booked, he doesn't need a minute to declare his favorite stops ? St. Louis and Kansas City (MO).

?St Louis was the capital city of the NWA at the time,?states Race. ?Sam Muchnick (NWA president and promoter) brought in all the best talent from around the territories. The Kiel Auditorium had great shows?.

According to Race, he never really connected with anyone in the wrestling business to claim as close friends, per se. He was pleased to meet so many different people, in the many different promotions he toured for. Recalling his time as a partner/owner of the Kansas City promotion with Pat O'Connor and Bob Geigel brings back memorable moments during our telephone conversation. Not living in the past, for Race's WLW, May 21, at the Richmond Community Center, is their next show night.

Coming from an era where promotions aired live and taped broadcasts from TV studios, the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis to the SuperStation WTBS studio in Atlanta, to performing at Madison Square Garden, Harley Race has seen and done it all in the wrestling world?.and his presence continues on on May 21.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-05
  • Bill Watts May 5th Today!
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th Today!
  • El Matador Dos May 5th Today!
  • Princess Victoria May 5th Today!
  • Shane Rawls May 5th Today!
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th Today!
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th Today!
  • El Gallardo May 5th Today!
  • Zane Morris May 5th Today!
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th Today!
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th

More Look Back In History

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