Bios
Harley Race
Nickname: Handsome; King; King Of Wrestling; Mr. Pro Wrestling; Mad Dog
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 245 bs.
From: Kansas City, KS
Birthday: Apr 11th
Pro Debut: 1960
Aliases: Jack Long, The Great Mortimer
Feds Worked For: MSW, NWA-West, TSW, WCCW, AWA, NWA, WCW, WWF, WWWF, All Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), All Star Wrestling (NE), Alternative Championship Wrestling, Big Bear Promotions (Canada), Big Time Wrestling (MI), Carolina Championship Wrestling (NC), Central States Wrestling (IA/KS/MO), Championship Wrestling Association (TN), Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Championship Wrestling from Georgia (GA), Championship Wrestling USA (OR), Continental Wrestling Association (AL/TN), Eastern Sports Association (Canada), Empresa Mexicana De La Lucha Libre (Mexico), Florida Championship Wrestling (FL), Fred Kohler Enterprises (IL), Georgia Championship Wrestling (GA), Gulas Wrestling Enterprises (TN), Gulf Athletic Club (TX), International City Wrestling Club (TX), International Wrestling Association (Australia), Japan Wrestling Association (Japan), Lucien Gregoire Promotions (Canada), M & M Promotions (NM/TX), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (NC/SC), Mid-Pacific Promotions (HI), Mid-Southern Wrestling (TN), Northwest Wrestling Promotions (Canada), NWA Big Time Wrestling (CA), NWA Big Time Wrestling (TX), NWA Hollywood (CA), NWA Mid-America (AL/TN), Pacific Coast Athletic Commission (CA), Pacific Northwest Wrestling (OR/WA), Pro Wrestling USA (TN), Southeast Championship Wrestling (AL/TN), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), Stampede Wrestling (Canada), Vancouver All-Star Wrestling (Canada), World Championship Wrestling (Australia), World League Wrestling (KS/MO/OK), World Wrestling Association (IN), World Wrestling Council (Puerto Rico)
Finisher: Piledriver
Signature Moves: Belly to Belly Suplex, Knee Drop, Body Slam, Diving Headbutt, Brainbuster, Pendulum Backbreaker
Career Highlights: -AJPW-PWF Champion
-AWA World Tag Team Champion (4x; 3 w/ Larry Hennig, 1 w/ Chris Markoff)
-CWA Champion
-IWA (Australia) Tag Team Champion (w/ Larry Hennig)
-NWA (Amarillo) World Tag Team Champion (w/ Larry Hennig)
-NWA Central States Champion (9x)
-NWA (Central States) North American Tag Team Champion (2x; 1 each w/ Baron Von Raschke and Roger Kirby)
-NWA (Central States) World Tag Team Champion (w/ Pat O'Connor)
-NWA (Florida) Southern Champion (2x)
-NWA Florida Tag Team Champion (3x; 2 w/ Roger Kirby, 1 w/ Bob Roop)
-NWA Georgia Champion
-NWA Macon Tag Team Champion (w/ Buddy Colt)
-NWA Mid-America Champion (3x)
-NWA (Mid-Atlantic) United States Champion
-NWA Missouri Champion (7x)
-NWA (Maritimes) North American Champion
-NWA United National Champion
-NWA World Champion (8x)
-Stampede North American Champion
-WWA Champion
-WWC Caribbean Champion
-Won the WWF King of the Ring Tournament in 1986
Affiliates: Larry Hennig, Roger Kirby, Bobby Heenan, The Heenan Family, Vader, Mr. Hughes, Lex Luger, Paul Orndorff, The Colossal Kongs, Super Invader, Yoshi Kwan, Vinnie Vegas, Ric Converse, Bob Roop, Chris Markoff, Baron Von Raschke, Pat O'Connor, Buddy Colt, Johnny Long, Abu Wizal
Notable Feuds: King Haku, Bobby Heenan, Giant Baba, Terry Funk, Rufus R. Jones, Dusty Rhodes, Dory Funk, Jr., The Crusher, Danny Little Bear, Ric Flair, Ricky Romero, Jumbo Tsuruta, Bob Brown, Pat O'Connor, Mongolian Stomper, Reggie Parks, Junkyard Dog, Verne Gagne, Mighty Igor, Dick the Bruiser, Bill Watts, Jack Brisco, Jim Duggan, Omar Atlas, Ricky Steamboat, Dory Funk, Wahoo McDaniel, Rocky Johnson, Genichiro Tenryu, Mr. Wrestling II, Dick Murdoch, Bob Geigel, Rene Goulet, Ronnie Etchison, Dick Slater, Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Grizzly Smith, Tommy Rich, Lanny Poffo, Doug Gilbert, Wilbur Snyder, Bruiser Brody, George Steele, Cyclone Negro, Michiaki Yoshimura, Man Mountain Mike, André the Giant, Billy Jack Haynes, Luke Brown, Mark Lewin, Tito Santana, Roger Kirby, Don Slatton, Tony Atlas, Jerry Kozak, Jake Roberts
Other Facts: -Father of pro wrestler Leland Race, who he helped trained for pro wrestling
-Stepfather of pro wrestling manager Johnny Gold, who he helped train for pro wrestling
-When he was known as Jack Long, he was billed as the brother of professional wrestler Johnny Long
-Was expelled from school at the age of 13 for punching a principal after the administrator tried to break up a fight.
-Was initially trained by the Zbyszko brothers (Stanislaus & Wladek), who owned a farm near where Race lived.
-Broke into the business as the driver for Happy Humphrey.
-Says he copied his style from Buddy Austin & Ray Stevens
-Credited with inventing the Flying Headbutt finisher, used later by several wrestlers, He says he regrets inventing it as he had no idea that stress and damage it causes on the head and neck.
-Was involved in a major car accident early in his career that killed his wife and unborn child. It shattered his forearm and damaged one of his legs so badly that doctors considered amputation. Doctors swore he might never walk again and would certainly never wrestle again. He returned to the ring two years later.
-At one point in the late 1980s, was dubbed the "King of Wrestling" by WWF. While using that gimmick, Jerry Lawler sued the WWF, saying that he had used the "King" moniker since 1973 and had a rightful claim to it. Lawler won that case and WWF could not have Race use the "King" gimmick when they promoted shows in Memphis.
-According to Jerry Lawler, there were talks of a "King vs. King" match between Race & Lawler at WrestleMania V, but that ended when Race left the company in 1989.
-His in-ring career essentially ended in 1988, when Hulk Hogan slammed him through a table and the metal band around the edge stabbed him in the side. A week later his intestine inflamed and erupted and he ended up in the hospital. Athletic commissions in the US would not license him from that point forward.
-Became a manager in the 1990s. That ended when he was involved in another car crash, brought on after a night of drinking. It shattered his forearm and broke his hip.
-Was the last person to speak to Owen Hart. He said "Don't let your rope break" and regrets that to this day.
-Owner and Promoter of World League Wrestling and the Race Wrestling Academy
-Among those that he has helped to train for pro wrestling include Barry Windham, Big Daddy Moore, Brian Breaker, Bull Schmitt, Doug Somers, Dustin Bozworth, Col. DeBeers, Jack Gamble, Jake Carter, Jon Webb, Lars Manderson, Mark Sterling, Marshall Von Erich, Mason Hunter, Mike George, Ross Von Erich, Tim WarCloud, and Trevor Murdoch.
-Former member of The Heenan Family (WWF Version)
-His autobiography "King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story" was released in 2004
-Appeared in the movie "Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy (Mil Mascaras: Resurrection)" in 2005
-Voted Wrestler of the Year by the readers of pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1979 and 1983
-Voted Match of the Year (vs. Ric Flair) by the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1983
-Awarded Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Stanley Weston Award in 2006
-Awarded Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Wrestler Of The Year - Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award in 1980 and 1981
-Ranked #198 in the 1991 PWI 500
-Inducted into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1994.
-Inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994
-Inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996
-Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999
-Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum as a singles wrestler in 2004 and with Larry Hennig as a tag team in 2017
-Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004
-Inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005
-Inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2005
-Passed away August 1, 2019 at the age of 76.
Supplemental Information
Polling Booth
Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?
Spotlight in History
- 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
- 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
- 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
Week of Sun 04-19 to Sat: 04-25
- 04-19 1987 Bubba Rogers def. One Man Gang for the UWF Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Luchadore & The Canadian Red Devil) def. La M (El Choppo & Jesus Rodriguez) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2008 The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. Nathan Sensation for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2013 Bree Ann def. Barbi Hayden for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
- 04-19 2014 Aaron Anders def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Jake O'Brien def. Brian Breaker for the OWA Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2014 Randy Price def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-19 2014 Miss Diss Lexia def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Erica def. Miss Diss Lexia for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-19 2014 Brandon Groom def. Warhammer for the BPPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-19 2024 Killa Kate became the TexPro Rose Champion
- 04-19 2024 Kari Wright def. Tommy Prince for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2024 K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) def. Rock-N-Rugged (Rook Tyler & Gabe Welder for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
- 04-19 2025 Rook Tyler def. Auzzy for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 04-19 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-19 2026 Gideon Vane became the WTW Open Promotions Champion
- 04-20 1980 Toru Tanaka def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2013 The Canadian Red Devil became the OWA Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2013 Daemon Storm def. Justin Dynamic for the UWE United States Title
- 04-20 2018 Jack Swagger def. MVP for the IWR Heavyweight Title
- 04-20 2019 B. M. F. (Kareem Sadat & Maniac Mike) became the EmpCW Tag Team Champions
- 04-20 2019 Double D became the EmpCW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-20 2024 Malachi & Ozzy Hendrix def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-20 2024 Kevin James Sanchez def. Montego Seeka for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-21 1967 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 1979 Mike George def. Jerry Stubbs for the TSW Louisiana Title
- 04-21 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
- 04-21 2007 Kareem Sadat def. K-Rob for the AACW Hardcore Title
- 04-21 2007 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. The Re-Gex (Seth Shai & Mace) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2017 Sam Stackhouse def. Spyder for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 04-21 2018 The Untamed (Rex Andrews & Ryan Davidson) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
- 04-21 2023 Leo Fox def. Mr. Nasty for the UWE Apex Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-21 2023 Mr. Wobble def. Tego for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
- 04-21 2023 Franco D'Angelo def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
- 04-22 1940 Jesse James def. Danny McShain for the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1955 Ricki Starr def. Mike Clancy for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 1968 The Spoilers (Spoiler #1 & Spoiler #2/Smasher Sloan) def. Fritz Von Erich & Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 1980 Terry Gordy def. Junkyard Dog for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 04-22 1985 The Great Kabuki became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
- 04-22 2006 Michael York def. Jon Davis for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Brock Landers def. Mascara La Parka for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-22 2017 Double D def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 04-22 2017 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the ComPro Ladies Title
- 04-22 2018 Chaz Sharpe became the ASP Inter-County Champion
- 04-22 2018 Johnny Kove & Tristan Thorne became the ASP Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 04-22 2018 Damon Windsor def. Chandler Hopkins for the IWR Revolutionary Title
- 04-22 2022 Drake Gallows & Fester Cluck def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2022 Duncan Kincaid became the RDW Iron Man Champion
- 04-22 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Ozzy Hendrix) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
- 04-22 2023 Devion Black def. Adrian Vega for the EPW All-American Title
- 04-22 2023 Logan Knight def. Gemini [2nd] for the EPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1966 Ramon Torres def. Lorenzo Parente for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
- 04-23 1973 Rip Tyler & Eddie Sullivan def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1974 Thunder Cloud & White Cloud def. Bob Sweetan & Seigfried Stanke for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 1978 Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear def. Ernie Ladd & The Assassin for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-23 2004 Michael Barry became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
- 04-23 2006 Tyler Bateman def. Seth Allen for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
- 04-23 2006 Michael Faith became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
- 04-23 2016 Athena def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
- 04-23 2022 The Blue Bolt def. Richie Adams for the WFC Prime Title
- 04-23 2022 Koko def. Reed for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 04-23 2022 Rhett def. Hornsby for the WFC Drillsville Title
- 04-24 1999 The Casualties of War (Grunt & Shrapnel) def. The East-West Express (J. J. Mustang & Joey Steiner) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 04-24 1999 Original Renegade def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-24 2004 Dexter Hardaway became the NWA-OK X Division Champion
- 04-24 2004 Tejas def. Al Jackson for the NWA Texas Title
- 04-24 2015 Rick Russo & Largus RagnaBrok became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 04-24 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Brandon Warhawk for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 04-25 1969 Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treach Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-25 1971 Dusty Rhodes def. Sputnik Monroe for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
- 04-25 2003 Ichiban [1st] became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2003 The Heatseekers (Karl Davis & Rick Styles) became the TPW Tag Team Champions
- 04-25 2003 Outcast def. Tyler Bateman for the TPW Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-25 2008 Ky-Ote became the 3DW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-25 2008 Les Mayne became the 3DW Texoma Champion
- 04-25 2008 2AM (Javi Hernandez & Kunna Keyoh) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
- 04-25 2008 Al Farat became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
- 04-25 2008 Frankie Dee became the 3DW Femme Fatale Champion
- 04-25 2008 Joshua Smith def. Al Farat for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer def. Outlaw for the SWCW Luchadore Title
- 04-25 2010 David Kyzer became the SWCW All-American Champion
- 04-25 2021 Brandon Barricade def. Red for the ASP All Time Title
- 04-25 2021 Maui Mike & Malik Mayfield became the ASP Tag Team Champions
- Ethan Price Apr 24th Today!
- Lou Thesz Apr 24th Today!
- Lance Von Erich Apr 24th Today!
- Max Mercer Apr 25th
- Brett Stopp Apr 25th
- Crash Davis Apr 25th
- Zack Zilla Apr 25th
- Bobby Joe Bristow Apr 25th
- Carl Fergie Apr 25th
- Eric Roberts Apr 25th
- Walker Stewart Apr 25th
- Justin Dynamic Apr 26th
- Havoc Apr 26th
- Karl Kox Apr 26th
- Yasu Fuji Apr 27th
- Siva Afi Apr 28th
- Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th
- Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th
- Sunshine Apr 29th
- Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
- Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
- Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
- Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
- Prince Maivia May 1st
- Big Bossman May 2nd
- Don Fields May 2nd
- Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
- Americos May 2nd
- Barrett Brown May 2nd
- Kari Wright May 2nd
- Johnny Humble May 3rd
- Lily McKenzie May 3rd
- Lester Welch May 3rd
- Jay Hazzard May 4th
- Dory Funk May 4th
- Bull Schmitt May 4th
- El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
- Malik Mayfield May 4th
- Olivier Vegos May 5th
- Bill Watts May 5th
- Zane Morris May 5th
- El Gallardo May 5th
- El Matador Dos May 5th
- Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
- Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
- Maria Brigitte May 5th
- Princess Victoria May 5th
- Claire Watson May 6th
- Hercules May 7th
