Forgotten Legends14: Harley Race

1978 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Ghost Lantern, Aug 3, 2012

theidealstranger

Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2012

Having initiated into wrestling by none other than Stanislaus Zbyszko, one of the 4 "Gods" of wrestling; with over 42 titles to his name, being one of the six men to make it into wwe,wcw,wrestling observer, pro-wrestling HOF and having worked in AWA, NWA, WWF, WCW winning major titles across promotions, he should be needing no introduction.

He was a role model when it came to in-ring abilities and a major influence on generations of wrestlers when it comes to ring psychology and as an individual when he fought polio and a major accident and coming back from both to wrestle, he is not as well known as he should have been. His career in WWE was buried for they refused to recognize existence of other promotions on the show and he was put as someone with technical background becoming King Harley Race eventually.

However, he is most known for putting over Flair who was a rookie when he was in his prime and training Rick Steiner, Butch Reed, Meng, Takeshi Miroshomi, Chris Masters, Daisuki Ikeda, Joe Henning, Ted Dibiase Jr, Mike Dibiase among others.

Do you think he got his due?

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Ghost Lantern

· #2 · Aug 2, 2012 (Edited)

OP... every time you post I am like "what the heck (?) he's not a forgotten legend." Then I realize that you are probably right. There is a real lack of wrestling knowledge pre attitude era on this site.

Harley Race will go down as one of the toughest (legit) men ever in the sport. From one of the most cut throat era's, where champion's had to be able to protect their titles.

I do think he gets his due among true fans...

I remember watching him suplex Lawler so hard to the mat I thought Lawler would be crippled. Race and Lawler (according to stories) did not get along backstage, which is one reason Race took the Gulas side in the legendary Gulas vs Jarrett promotion war.

Come On OP time for the Mr. Wrestling 2 thread!

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theidealstranger

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 2, 2012

Greenlawler said:
OP... every time you post I am like "what the heck (?) he's not a forgotten legend." Then I realize that you are probably right. There is a real lack of wrestling knowledge pre attitude era on this site.

Harley Race will go down as one of the toughest (legit) men ever in the sport. From one of the most cut throat era's, where champion's had to be able to protect their titles.

I do think he gets his due among true fans...

I remember watching him suplex Lawler so hard to the mat I thought Lawler would be crippled. Race and Lawler (according to stories) did not get along backstage, which is one reason Race took the Gulas side in the legendary Gulas vs Jarrett promotion war.

Come On OP time for the Mr. Wrestling 2 thread!

Am looking for material on Mr. W 2 but am not able to get much except a few texts here and there. I usually watch their 3 matches/feuds before posting about them so that I know what I am talking about if I do not know them already but tough luck for I got only a few tag matches where one's move set does not get fully used. Will keep hunting.

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Berkajr

· #4 · Aug 2, 2012

Harley Race was one of the top stars ever. When people nowadays are talking top ten stars of all time, they always seems to forget Race.

Race was a 7 time NWA champion (8 unofficially), when NWA was as big or even bigger than WWWF/WWF and the NWA title was the most prestigeous title in the world. That feat alone should include Race to the top ten list 0f all time greats of wrestling.

Also he is one of the legit thoughest SOB's in the world of wrestling only to be sided with Haku, and a very few others. Harley Race was a mans man.

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the modern myth

· #5 · Aug 2, 2012

Harley Race was great. He was never utilized properly during his WWF run, but then the roster was so stacked with talent at the time it was kind of understandable. He was a rough neck wrestler, a real man's man, with an old school tough guy aesthetic. The WWE needs guys like this today, I think; not the preening, oiled, toned prima donnas we see walking down the aisle every night, but paunchy, ugly, mean old bastards who look like real tough guys.

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Ghost Lantern

· #6 · Aug 3, 2012

theidealstranger said:
Am looking for material on Mr. W 2 but am not able to get much except a few texts here and there. I usually watch their 3 matches/feuds before posting about them so that I know what I am talking about if I do not know them already but tough luck for I got only a few tag matches where one's move set does not get fully used. Will keep hunting.

Okay thanks for looking into it...you are right his wiki page is really weak for a guy who was the "Hulk Hogan" of the deep southern territories in the late 70's early 80's. People forget how wildley popular he was especially in 78-82. He even had a hot heel turn to groom a young Magnum TA. In fact Vince signed him up during the WWF's first foray's into the south.

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