On this page you find the full wrestling profile of Harley Race, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.
Harley Leland Race was born in Quitman, Missouri on April 11, 1943.
He died on August 1, 2019 at the age of 76.
Harley Race is a 7-time World Champion, and has won a total of 13 championships in major promotions during his career. He is also a 1-time King Of The Ring winner.
Harley Race was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 as an individual, in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2005, in the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994, in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2004 as part of the Modern Era wing and in 2017 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of Harley Race & Larry Hennig).
He was a co-promoter of Central States Wrestling.
Harley Race Profile Index
Profile Info
- GenderMale
- Real NameHarley Leland Race
- Ring Names
- Harley Race (October 15, 1988 - August 1, 2019)
- King Harley Race (July 15, 1986 - October 14, 1988)
- Harley Race (May 17, 1964 - July 14, 1986)
- The Great Mortimer (January 1, 1963 - May 16, 1964)
- Jack Long (April 11, 1961 - December 31, 1962)
- Harley Race (January 1, 1960 - April 10, 1961)
- Born April 11, 1943
- Died August 1, 2019 (aged 76)
- Nationality
United States - Birth PlaceQuitman, Missouri
- Billed From
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
- Weight
- 245 lbs (111 kg)
- NicknamesHandsome; Mad Dog
- NotesHe was a co-promoter of Central States Wrestling.
Career History
-
Roles
- Commissioner (November 21, 2010 - August 1, 2019)
- Manager (July 14, 1991 - January 31, 1995)
- Wrestler (January 1, 1960 - December 7, 1990)
- Promoter (January 2, 1982 - January 1, 1986)
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
NOAHNovember 21, 2010 August 1, 2019 Promotion 
WCWJuly 7, 1990 January 31, 1995 Promotion 
WWFMay 4, 1986 January 15, 1989 Promotion 
AJPWBrand
Heavyweight
February 10, 1973 June 12, 1986 Promotion 
NWAMay 18, 1967 May 15, 1986 Promotion 
CSWNovember 13, 1975 May 15, 1986 Promotion 
AWAJanuary 29, 1984 April 20, 1986 Promotion 
JCPJuly 2, 1983 February 8, 1986 Promotion 
SLWCMarch 20, 1971 January 1, 1986 Promotion 
CWAAugust 5, 1985 October 14, 1985 Promotion 
CWFJune 19, 1983 November 19, 1983 Promotion 
BTW DALLASMarch 8, 1977 October 7, 1983 Promotion JCPJuly 22, 1980 May 28, 1982 Promotion 
GCWJuly 24, 1978 March 14, 1982 Promotion CWFJanuary 24, 1977 October 28, 1981 Promotion 
GACJuly 1, 1977 March 27, 1981 Promotion 
WWFDecember 18, 1978 September 22, 1980 Promotion 
STAMPEDEJuly 15, 1977 July 11, 1980 Promotion 
SECWApril 28, 1977 February 26, 1980 Promotion 
MID AMERICASeptember 9, 1975 September 1, 1979 Promotion JCPFebruary 13, 1977 July 8, 1979 Promotion 
SWCWMay 17, 1978 March 15, 1979 Promotion 
NWA TRI STATEAugust 10, 1976 May 26, 1978 Promotion 
PNWMay 24, 1977 September 17, 1977 Promotion GCWJanuary 28, 1977 June 22, 1977 Promotion 
GCCWMarch 26, 1977 March 26, 1977 Promotion CWFFebruary 11, 1974 April 20, 1976 Promotion GCWJuly 12, 1974 February 13, 1976 Promotion CSWApril 16, 1970 June 28, 1974 Promotion GACJune 8, 1973 January 11, 1974 Promotion AWAAugust 3, 1963 March 18, 1971 Promotion 
JWANovember 14, 1969 December 14, 1969 Promotion 
BTW DETROITJune 21, 1969 August 2, 1969 Promotion SLWCFebruary 22, 1969 June 14, 1969 Promotion 
NWA HOLLYWOODJanuary 2, 1969 February 6, 1969 Promotion JWAFebruary 23, 1968 March 23, 1968 Promotion 
WCW AUSTRALIAJune 8, 1966 July 1, 1966 Promotion NWAJune 2, 1962 November 6, 1964 Promotion CSWJune 2, 1962 November 6, 1964 Promotion 
AWA SFJanuary 23, 1964 April 4, 1964 Promotion MID AMERICAOctober 11, 1962 May 14, 1963 -
Images History
Nov 2010
Jan 1989
Jul 1986
Feb 1981
Feb 1973
May 1967
Jan 1960 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment Details from to Heel August 3, 1963 January 31, 1995 Face January 1, 1960 August 2, 1963
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Finishers
- Flying Cradle Suplex - Bridging Fisherman Suplex (January 1, 1960 - December 7, 1990)
- Diving Headbutt (January 1, 1960 - December 7, 1990)
- Piledriver (January 1, 1960 - December 7, 1990)
-
Theme Songs
- Theme Song"The Great Gate of Kiev" by Modest Petrovič Musorgskij - Single (August 30, 1986 - March 20, 1988)
- Theme Song"Galaxy Express" by Ryoichi Kuniyoshi - Single (February 10, 1973 - June 12, 1986)
Titles & Accomplishments
Career Awards
- WWE Hall of Fame - Individual (Year2004)
- NWA Hall of Fame - Individual (Year2005)
- WCW Hall of Fame - Individual (Year1994)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Modern Era (Year2004)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) - Groups, Harley Race & Larry Hennig (Year2017)
-
National Wrestling Alliance
All Japan Pro Wrestling
NWA Mid-America, National Wrestling Alliance, Continental Wrestling Association & Jim Crockett Promotions
World Wrestling Entertainment
-
x1 WWF King of the Ring (1986)
-
American Wrestling Association
- 3 AWA World Tag Team Championship (with Larry Hennig)
All Japan Pro Wrestling
- 1 NWA United National Championship
- 1 PWF World Heavyweight Championship
All Star Pro-Wrestling (New Zealand)
Central States Wrestling
- 9 NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship
- 1 NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Central States version) (with Roger Kirby)
Championship Wrestling from Florida
- 3 NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (2 with Roger Kirby, 1 with Bob Roop)
- 1 NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version)
- 1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Mid-Atlantic version)
Continental Wrestling Association
Eastern Sports Association
- 1 IW North American Heavyweight Championship
Georgia Championship Wrestling
- 1 NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship
- 1 NWA Mawith Tag Team Championship (with Buddy Colt)
Maple Leaf Wrestling
St. Louis Wrestling Club
- 1 IWA World Tag Team Championship (with Larry Hennig)
Stampede Wrestling
- 1 Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship
World Championship Wrestling (Australia)
- 1 SMW Tag Team Championship (with Unabomb)
World Wrestling Association
- 1 WWA World Heavyweight Championship
World Wrestling Council
- 1 WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship
-
Other Accomplishments
- Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 1995)
- Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction (class of 2013)
- St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2007)
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction (class of 2005)
- WWF Sam Muchnick Memorial Tournament Winner (1986)
- WWF Slammy Award - Best Ring Apparel (1987)
- WWF Slammy Award - Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Scholarship Award (1987 - with Haku, Tama, André the Giant, Hercules & King Kong Bundy)
- NWA Hollywood Los Angeles Battle Royal Winner (1969)
- Cauliflower Alley Club's Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2006)
- PWI Wrestler of the Year (1979, 1983)
- PWI Match of the Year (1973 - vs. Dory Funk, Jr. on 05/04; 1979 - vs. Dusty Rhodes on 08/21; 1983 - vs. Ric Flair on 06/10)
- PWI Stanley Weston Award (2006)
- 8° in the PWI Years Top 500 (2003)
- WON Wrestler of the Year (1980, 1981)
- WON Match of the Year (1983 - vs. Ric Flair at Starrcade)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996))
- Tokyo Sports Match of the Year (1978 - vs. Jumbo Tsuruta on 01/20)
x7 NWA World Heavyweight Championship
x1 NWA United States Heavyweight Championship
x1 PWF Heavyweight Championship
x1 NWA United National Championship
x3 NWA Mid-America Heavyweight ChampionshipTeams & Relations
-
Tag Teams & Stables
- A Half-Ton of Holy Hell - Vader, Kevin Nash / Diesel, Mr. Hughes (January 21, 1992 - February 28, 1992)
- The Heenan Family - André the Giant, Bobby Heenan, King Kong Bundy, Paul Orndorff, Rick Rude, Hercules (November 30, 1986 - November 24, 1988)
- Harley Race & Larry Hennig - Larry Hennig (November 28, 1981 - December 13, 1981)
- Harley Race & Larry Hennig - Larry Hennig (August 20, 1975 - October 29, 1975)
- Harley Race & Roger Kirby - Roger Kirby (April 16, 1970 - September 24, 1975)
- Harley Race & Larry Hennig - Larry Hennig (September 25, 1964 - December 27, 1969)
- The Long Brothers - Johnny Long (December 25, 1962 - May 6, 1963)
- Managers
- Managed WrestlersHercules Hernandez, Kevin Nash / Diesel, Lex Luger, Mr. Hughes, Paul Orndorff, Vader
