Who Is Harley Race? Age, Biography and Wiki
Harley Race, born on April 11, 1943, in Quitman, Missouri, was an influential figure in the world of professional wrestling. He passed away on August 1, 2019, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades. Renowned for his contributions as a wrestler, promoter, and trainer, Race is remembered not only for his athletic prowess in the ring but also for his significant impact on the wrestling industry.
Race began his wrestling career in the 1960s and quickly became known for his technical style and charisma. He held the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) World Heavyweight Championship multiple times and was celebrated for his rivalries with other wrestling legends. His legacy continues to inspire wrestlers and fans alike.
| Occupation | Family Members |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 11, 1943 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Quitman, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 1 August, 2019 |
| Died Place | St. Charles, Missouri, U.S. |
Popularity
Harley Race's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Harley Race stood at a height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighed approximately 240 lbs (109 kg) during his prime wrestling years. Known for his muscular build and robust physique, Race exemplified the archetypical wrestler during his time. His measurements contributed to his wrestling persona, making him an imposing figure in the ring.
Determined not to lose the title again, Race offered a $25,000 bounty to anyone who could eliminate Flair from the NWA. Bob Orton Jr. and Dick Slater attacked Flair, inflicting what appeared to be a career-ending neck injury, and collecting the bounty from Race after Flair announced his retirement.
Flair's retirement was a ruse, however, and he eventually returned to action, much to Race's surprise. NWA officials set up a championship rematch, to be titled "Starrcade: A Flare for the Gold". The match was to be held in Flair's hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, which enraged Race.
Relationships
- Spouse: Ellen Race (second wife)
- Previous Marriage: Unknown high school sweetheart
Race was recruited by St. Joseph wrestling promoter Gust Karras who hired Race to do odd jobs for his promotion, including chauffeuring the 800 lb Happy Humphrey. Eventually, Race started wrestling on some of his shows and some of Karras' veteran wrestlers helped further Race's training.
At the age of 18, he moved to Nashville and began wrestling under the ring name of Jack Long, forming a tag team with storyline brother John Long (regional journeyman Billy Strong). The duo quickly captured the Southern Tag Team Championship.
Race was seen as a rising star in the business until a car accident put him out of action, with his leg nearly being amputated. His pregnant wife, Vivian Louise Jones, died instantly; they had been married just over a month.
Karras heard about his employee's condition, went rushing into the hospital, and blocked the planned amputation, declaring it "over my dead body". In doing so, he saved Race's leg. Although he recovered, doctors told Race that he might never walk again, and his wrestling career was over.
Undaunted, Race endured grueling physical therapy for several months and made a full recovery. Race next went on to work for Jack Pfefer and Tony Santos in the Boston territory as the Great Mortimer in 1963.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2019, Harley Race's net worth was estimated to be around $500,000. His wealth came from his extensive wrestling career, promoting wrestling events, and training upcoming wrestling talent. While he may not have amassed the same wealth as other wrestling icons, Race's contributions to the sport were invaluable and well-regarded.
Race also made an appearance at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Lockdown pay-per-view in 2007 as the special guest gatekeeper for the main event. Race made a special guest appearance at the second night of Ring of Honor's Glory by Honor VI: Night Two at the Manhattan Center on November 3, 2007, in New York City.
On January 4, 2014, Race took part in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome event, participating in the title presentation before a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and punching out defending champion Rob Conway's manager Bruce Tharpe.
Career, Business and Investments
Harley Race's wrestling career took off in the 1960s, and he quickly rose to prominence in major wrestling promotions. He became a dominant figure in the NWA and made a significant impact as a promoter in the '80s and '90s. After retiring from active competition, Race founded his own wrestling school, where he trained aspiring wrestlers, passing on his vast knowledge and expertise.
Throughout his life, Race was involved in various business ventures and made investments that reflected his passion for wrestling. He remained active in wrestling-related activities even after retirement, showcasing his dedication to the sport.
Race and Hennig were designated to feud with the Bruiser and Crusher and other top teams for the next several years, and were given three title reigns. Verne Gagne, in particular, was promoted as a hated rival of the team, partnering with several other wrestlers in matches, against Race and Hennig during their AWA run.
In October 1967, Gagne was credited with "breaking" one of Hennig's legs, thus giving him some much needed time off from the ring. Race (as the storyline went) was allowed to choose a new partner and retain the AWA World Tag Team Championship.
Race's choice was Chris Markoff, but the duo was defeated in their first title defense match against the team of Pat O'Connor and Wilbur Snyder in November 1967. For the next several months, Race teamed with Hard Boiled Haggerty (Don Stansauk) who over the years presented Gagne with some of his greatest matches.
Together, Race and Haggerty often were cast against Gagne and "Cowboy" Bill Watts. In March 1968, after Hennig's return to the ring, he and Race were back together, though the two never again won the AWA World Tag Team Championship.
Despite his tag team success, Race left the AWA after several years at the top of the division to pursue a singles career in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
Social Network
Harley Race was active on social media, connecting with fans and fellow wrestlers. His social media presence served not only as a platform to share his experiences but also to promote events and pay tribute to the wrestling community. While specific accounts are no longer active posthumously, his contributions to wrestling continue to resonate through platforms dedicated to his legacy.
In 1992, Race began to add other wrestlers to a stable that would include Big Van Vader, Super Invader and Vinnie Vegas. The stable was short-lived, and after Vader defeated Sting for the world championship on July 12, 1992, he became Race's primary charge.
During his management of Vader, Race met with racial controversy when Vader was feuding with WCW wrestler Ron Simmons when saying during a promo, "When I was world champion, I had a boy like you to carry my bags!".
This was actually part of the booking strategy of then-WCW head Bill Watts to build support for Simmons, whom he would eventually make champion. The wily veteran was popular among the young WCW talent, and developed close friendships with Mick Foley and Steve Austin, among others.
On June 9, 1993, at a TV taping in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Race began managing The Colossal Kongs, and on July 7 at the WorldWide tapings in Orlando, Florida, Yoshi Kwan joined the stable.
Education
Although information about his formal education is limited, Race’s education took place predominantly within the wrestling industry itself. His dedication to hard work and mastery of the craft underlies much of the training and discipline he later instilled in his students and protégés.
Race was an early fan of professional wrestling, watching programming from the nearby Chicago territory on the DuMont Television Network. After overcoming polio as a child, he began training as a professional wrestler as a teen under former world champions Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszko, who operated a farm in his native Missouri.
While in high school, an altercation with a classmate led to the principal kneeing Race in the back of the head as he tried to break up the fight. Enraged, Race attacked him, resulting in his expulsion. Already 6 ft and 225 lb, Race decided to get his start in professional wrestling.
Race then became the driver of Happy Humphrey who was too large to drive at the time.
