Harley Race

Date of Birth: April 11, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: August 1, 2019

Biography

Harley Race, born Harley Leland Race, was an American professional wrestler, promoter, and trainer who is best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Born on April 11, 1943, in Quitman, Missouri, Race was trained by the legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick and made his professional debut at the age of 15. In a career that spanned over four decades, Race became an eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, a record at the time, and was widely regarded as one of the toughest and most skilled wrestlers of his era. Race’s career was marked by his intense feuds with wrestling legends like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and Terry Funk. Known for his rugged in-ring style and his signature moves like the diving headbutt and the piledriver, Race’s influence on the wrestling world is immeasurable. Race also had a stint in the WWF, where he was crowned “King of the Ring” in 1986 and adopted the moniker “King” Harley Race. After retiring from active competition, Race transitioned into a successful career as a trainer and promoter, founding the World League Wrestling (WLW) promotion in Missouri. Harley Race passed away on August 1, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

5 Interesting Facts about Harley Race

1. Harley Race was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

2. He survived a near-fatal car accident in 1961, which left him with a steel rod in his arm.

3. Race was the first wrestler to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight times.

4. He was known for his incredible toughness and once wrestled with a broken leg.

5. Race trained several future wrestling stars, including WWE Hall of Famer Big Van Vader.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harley Race

1. “I wrestled every night like it was my last.”

2. “The title didn’t make me; I made the title.”

3. “Professional wrestling is the toughest sport in the world.”

4. “Respect in this business is earned, not given.”

5. “Wrestling is in my blood; it’s who I am.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Harley Race’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Harley Race had four children: Leland Race, Justin Race, Candice Race, and Cole Race. Leland Race followed in his father’s footsteps and became a professional wrestler, also working with World League Wrestling (WLW).