Even if a shooter like Danny Hodge or a hooker like Karl Gotch managed to beat Harley and, believe me, they were going to get hurt in the process, Harley wouldn’t stay beaten. David Schultz seemed like the real deal, but what follows is the reason Harley was so dangerous. Well, Bruiser Brody had the chops but not the driving demand for a positive self-image that Harley had. How Many Others Were Legitimate Tough Guys Like Harley Race?Ī Facebook friend of mine asked me the question: “Just how many were legitimate badasses as Harley was back in the day?” That was the ‘bad guy’ Harley I’d heard about, but for me, his scar was a badge of honor for defending our profession. When the guy turned to face him and opened his mouth, Harley backhanded him in the chops, downing him, stomped him once to finish him, and went back to finish his beer. He told me of being in another bar a few weeks earlier and having a man loudly disparage pro wrestling while slowly working his way down the bar to end up alongside Harley. While seeming healed, it was still livid in color and was going to become an ugly scar.Īfter a few beers, I asked him about it. Impossible to miss.ĭuring our match, I had seen a huge circular wound on the back of his left hand that looked like a human bite mark. The next night, after the show in El Paso, Texas, Harley and I were having a beer in a cantina in Juarez, Mexico. Harley Race and I on Championship Wrestling from Florida television, ’75

Harley led me through it so effortlessly and smoothly that the time fell away unnoticed. On top of that, the length of our match seemed to me like a marathon might seem for a track athlete specifically trained for the 100-yard dash. I was a ‘green as grass’ rookie in Albuquerque, New Mexico, waiting for him in the ring after being told to go 45 minutes to a draw with a man I’d never seen before that man having a rep as one of the ‘baddest of the bad’ in terms of legitimately being tough. I met Harley under extremely dire circumstances for me. During that time, Harley slept, ate, and lived wrestling eighteen-hour workdays for weeks on end the norm rather than the exception. In this piece, I pay homage to Harley by telling of time spent with him, including sharing the booking office when he held the reins at Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). With his loss, another foundation stone supporting the ‘road’ era of pro wrestling has fallen to the wayside. My Friend, Harley Raceįirst and foremost, I’d like to offer sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Harley Race. Included is a must-read story of the time Harley was able to back off a mob of twelve angry Dusty Rhodes fans (on his own)! Legendary mat technician Bob Roop shares stories of his friend Harley Race, showing a different side of the legend. Legendary mat technician Bob Roop opens up about his friend Harley Race, showing a side not often seen of the legend.

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