Goodbye Handsome Harley

It is hard to list out all of the talent that could fit on a list of the greatest of all time. This is the reason that most of these lists are split into decades to make things a little bit easier. One name that is near the top in a number of lists is the former eight time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion "Handsome" Harley Race. I have heard a lot of stories about legends of yesteryear and a lot of the stories have one common thread and that is just how tough Harley Race was in and out of the ring. During the period when the curtain was still pulled back on wrestling Harley was one of the names that always made it seem real. 

It would be impossible for me to put into words the impact that Harley has had on the wrestling business so I will try and draw the picture using my first memory of Harley. The first time I remember seeing Harley was during his feud with Ric Flair heading into Starrcade 1983. At first I didn't think much of Harley, but when I learned more I realized just how good he was at his peak and how much of an "Icon" he was. Nowadays we look to Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Undertaker, and others as "Icons," but in wrestling history they are list and below Harley Race. His in ring career lasted over thirty years, too many legendary matches to count and the fact that he was still apart of wrestling until his death shows how much Harley truly loved wrestling. 

Now with Harley moving up to that promotion in the sky it is time we think back and remember all the memories that Harley gave us. Through his promotion World League Wrestling based in his home state of Missouri, Harley has made sure that his fingerprints will still be on the business for decades to come. Thank you Harley!! Your prime might have been before my time, but what you gave wrestling was timeless and will never ever be forgotten. Rest in Peace Harley Race!!!