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Anatomy of a Feud: “Handsome” vs the “American Dream”- Harley Race vs Dusty Rhodes

Posted: Oct 4th 2024 By: Rob Faint - RingTheDamnBell.Wordpress.com

Some wrestling feuds are so good, they are almost generational. Matches that stand the test of time and become legendary. Feuds where fans can really appreciate the dynamic between the very different opponents and adversaries. Such was the case with ‘Handsome’ Harley Race versus ‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes…

In the late 1970’s and early 80’s the name Harley Race was synonymous with the NWA world heavyweight title. After a short reign in 1974 he won the title in 1977 and with a few small interruptions held it until 1981. His most persistent challenger was a son of a plumber, the “American Dream”, the “Tower of Power, Too Sweet to be Sour”, Dusty Rhodes. Over the course of their careers, they wrestled each other over 125 times, most of the matches involving the title.

Believe it or not, Race and Rhodes started out as tag team partners in Texas, mostly wrestling Terry Funk and Ricky Romero. In the mid-seventies they started feuding in the Florida and Georgia areas. When Race won the NWA title in 1977 it took their feud to new heights. He and Rhodes wrestled over 30 times between 1977 and 1979 with Race escaping with the title by hook or crook. Rhodes finally won the title in August of 1979 but only kept it for 5 days, losing back to Race (with a big assist from Terry Funk). Big Dust continued to chase Race all over the world, with matches in New York and Japan. In 1981 Rhodes defeated Race in Atlanta, GA to become a 2-time champion. Race found himself in the odd position of challenger rather than champion. Race won the title again in 1983 with Rhodes in hot pursuit.

Rhodes had the gift of gab and could talk people into the arena and he and Race had great chemistry in the ring. It was the People’s Champion vs World Champion. Race himself said he never thought they had a bad match.

A Race/Rhodes match was guaranteed box office: they sold out wherever they appeared.