'Truly devastated': WWE rocked by death of legendary star
The WWE world is in mourning following the sudden death of Hall of Famer Harley Race.
Race died on Thursday due to complications from lung cancer, according to WWE. He was 76.
His Twitter account announced the news, saying he fought “up until the very last of his existence.”
Today at 12:50, we lost the man that fought up until the very last of his existence. More information will be released soon, but just know that he loved pro-wrestling and the fans that loved him.
Harley Race, we love you— Harley Race (@8XNWAChampion) August 1, 2019
Race is an eight-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Champion.
He dominated in the 1970s and 80s, participating in a total of four organisations, and was one of professional wrestling’s most respected.
He is one of only six to be inducted in the WWE, NWA, Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Pro Wrestling Hall of Fames, according to CBS Sports.
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race passed away today at age 76. WWE extends its condolences to Race’s family, friends and fans. https://t.co/lO4OimLsSd
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2019
Race’s health decline
Race’s health had been declining for years and he was confined to a wheelchair.
Earlier this month he was hospitalised while traveling to the Knoxville Fanboy Expo.
According an Instagram post by World League Wrestling, and retweeted by his account, he exhibited signs that “needed to be addressed by medical personnel.”
He was admitted July 11 to a hospital far from his family, prompting a T-shirt fundraiser for expenses, and all of his appearances on the schedule were cancelled.
The Missouri native debuted in 1960 and had legendary feuds with fellow superstars Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes and the Funk brothers, Terry and Dory Jr.
In 1986 he joined the WWE during expansion and feuded with Hulk Hogan. In 1991 he retired to a career in television.
Flair and Vince McMahon led the tributes:
Today We Lost Not Only A Great Personal Friend, But In My Estimation The One And Only REAL World Champion. Without Harley Race, There Was No Ric Flair. I Tried My Hardest Every Day To Live Up To His Standard In The Ring. pic.twitter.com/vUnQFuM0CT
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) August 1, 2019
Harley Race was literally the King of his profession for 25 years. Long live the King. pic.twitter.com/nY3V5hyp3N
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) August 1, 2019
RIP to a true legend and Icon of this business, “Handsome” Harley Race. If you’re a true student of the game, then at some point you studied Harley Race. Thank you Harley for your kindness, your respect and for paving the way! pic.twitter.com/tHlTWVD2iK
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) August 1, 2019
So Sad To Hear Harley Race Has Passed😔Wonderful Man That I Admired & Loved❤️He Taught Me So Much In & Out of The Squared Circle #RIP Champ🙏🏻
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) August 1, 2019
Wrestle In Peace, Harley Race. #RIPHarley pic.twitter.com/GVovu0OVNI
— Rev. Mike Jones (@mikejonesradio) August 1, 2019
Learning under Harley Race at his school in Eldon, MO, in our early years, will forever be a career highlight.
Thank you, Harley. @8XNWAChampion ❤️ 🙏🏽 #RIPHarleyRace pic.twitter.com/42G0ZQbPzU— Singh Brothers (@SinghBrosWWE) August 1, 2019
AEW is saddened to learn that Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer Harley Race has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/Ik29DwZIQ4
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) August 1, 2019
Today the world lost one of the toughest men ever to walk God's green earth.
RIP Harley Race!
8X NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion.
The entire sport of professional wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Harley. pic.twitter.com/rEiHknbYn1— NWA (@nwa) August 1, 2019
#RIP Harley Race. This is why we should not throw the term Legend around freely. It needs to be saved for people like Harley who truly are.
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) August 1, 2019
Saddened to hear that Harley Race has passed away aged 76. The short-lived King in WWE but also one of the heroes of the NWA & territories era. One of the founding fathers of grizzled, no-nonsense grappling, he was one incredibly tough man. RIP to the wrestling legend Harley Race pic.twitter.com/j0vcyb1bL0
— Gorilla Position (@WWEGP) August 1, 2019
RIP Harley Race. In a day and age where real men seem to be an endangered species, he embodied every bit of the word “real” in and out of the ring. A rough, tough man and a gentleman. Honored to have known him. Godspeed. #RIPHarley
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) August 1, 2019
May his soul rest in peace...Harley Race #美獣 #RIPHarleyRace pic.twitter.com/FYfbWLnrHP
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) August 2, 2019
Harley Race...a champ’s champ! 3 generations of my family worked with, promoted, and called Harley a friend. The first world champion I ever met. #RIPHarleyRace #TheChamp pic.twitter.com/60soGxG9JB
— Jeff Jarrett (@RealJeffJarrett) August 1, 2019
RIP #HarleyRace One of the greatest of all time 🙏 #prowrestling pic.twitter.com/NW867ovCXo
— 🔥Justin Credible🔥 (@PJPOLACO) August 1, 2019
The Hart family loves you forever King Harley Race. Grateful I got to tell you what you meant to my grandfather Stu Hart, who adored you. My thoughts and prayers to Harley’s family today🙏 pic.twitter.com/t5PqOJW0Lx
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) August 1, 2019
WrestleTalk is devastated to learn that Harley Race has passed away at the age of 76:https://t.co/r4Tdm5fUVO
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) August 1, 2019
I am truly devastated by the recent passing of veteran grappler and #NWA champion #HarleyRace. As a kid I saw him wrestle in the WWE as King Harley Race. But his career was mainly based in Crockett's promotion.
— Joseph Vasta (@JVasta1969) August 1, 2019