Dr. Tom Prichard, one of the guest instructors for this camp, wrote this great write up specifically for the 2014 Harley Race Wrestling Camp!
Professional wrestling was a different animal in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Back then there were 3 major organizations (NWA, AWA, WWWF) with their respective “World” champions. The NWA was the major league back then and had a touring world champ that went from territory to territory the defend the title.
Usually the champ faced the top contender in the area in a one hour, 2 out of 3 fall match. More times than not the match went 60 minutes to a draw. 7 nights a week (and yes, many times TWICE on Sunday!)
A lot of times the world champion had no knowledge of who he would be facing until he got to the arena or venue that night. He would then go on last after maybe 5-6 matches and expected to take the local challenger and make him look like he was indeed worthy of being in the ring with the best in the world, AKA The NWA World Heavyweight Champion… That could be a daunting task for some.
The champion had to have the best match of the night. It was pride, respect and passion. The NWA was the largest organization at that time and if you were the champ you earned your stripes every night in a different town, city or country.
The NWA meant something back then. It wasn’t taken lightly and the man who held the title was expected to act, dress and represent professional wrestling wherever he went. He met any and all contenders. He was THE MAN…
Harley Race is an 8 time World Heavyweight Champion. He held the title when people still believed. It was his job to make them believe the action they saw was real and give them a world championship caliber match. It was the champ who set the pace and up to his opponent to keep up.
When the champion came the gates and attendance were up. Anticipation was high. Could this be the night the crowd would witness a new champ? I was in Houston, Texas July 20, 1973 the night Sam Muchnich presented Harley Race with a brand new $10,000 gold belt to replace the old NWA title prior to his defense against Jack Brisco. That night saw Brisco crowned the new world champion. But Harley would go on to hold the title another 7 times.
I was 12 years old then. I couldn’t have imagined over 40 years later I would be doing a seminar at Harley’s school…
I had the privilege of watching guys like Harley, The Funks, Johnny Valentine, Wahoo McDaniel, Jose Lothario, Fritz Von Erich, Boris Malenko and so many others who took pride in their work every time they stepped in the ring. They inspired me to become a wrestler…
After all these years I once again have the privilege of doing a seminar along with Bobby Eaton and Noah Wrestling’s Gedo and Taiji Ishimori.
If you don’t know who Harley Race is, look him up.
If you want to learn about professional wrestling, sports entertainment, where you are and how to get where you want/need to be, DON’T MISS THE 2014 HARLEY RACE WRESTLING CAMP IN TROY, MO NOVEMBER 10-14!!!
Try. Best Shot. Whatever it Takes. Which one are you? See you in November.
Missouri Wrestling Revival 