As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race passed away today at 12:50pm due to complications from lung cancer. He was 76 years old.
Several WWE Hall of Famers, current and former Superstars, and other wrestlers have paid tribute to “The King” on Twitter this afternoon.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon wrote, “Harley Race was literally the King of his profession for 25 years. Long live the King.”
Triple H, who was close to Race, tweeted, “Everything about Harley Race commanded RESPECT… Today our world mourns with all the RESPECT you deserve… One of my favorite people in the business and in life. See you down the road, my friend. #LegendsNeverDie #ThenNowForever
AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes also remembered Race. He wrote, “Thank you Harley. So many legends in the industry will tell you he was the toughest to ever do it. He never stopped giving. I remember when he managed Vader in wcw, he would still try and scare me backstage. Ten pounds of gold never looked better on anybody.”
Stephanie McMahon also shared a family moment with Race. She wrote, “I will always remember Harley Race as one of the toughest S.O.B’s to ever walk the Earth, who also took the time to personally pick out a pair of earrings for my newborn daughter. Thank you for always being you, a legend in every sense of the word. #RIPHarleyRace”
Ric Flair, who was also close to Race, called him the only real world champion. Flair wrote, “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. He Will Be Greatly Missed, But Always Remembered By Myself And So Many Others. The Stories Of Harley Race Will Live On Forever! Rest In Peace My Friend!”
Mick Foley said he is proud to be Harley’s friend. He tweeted, “We lost a true ledend today; one of the toughest men and one of the greatest champions our sport has ever known. I loved working with him, I loved talking with him. I was proud to be his friend.”
Dustin Rhodes, who was the first to remember Race on Twitter today, tweeted, “RIP to one of the greatest performers there ever was. He was a friend. You will be missed #HarleyRace #RIP”
Lance Storm remembered Race and said the word legend needs to be saved for people like Race. He wrote “#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.”
Shane Helms paid tribute to Race and commented on how all wrestlers studied him at some point. Helms tweeted, “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!”
Steve Austin, who also was friends with Race, called him the standard bearer for all of pro wrestling. Austin wrote, “Harley Race, one of the greatest Professional Wrestling legends of all time, passed away today. For years Harley was the standard bearer for all of Wrestling. He was revered and respected by all and feared nothing. I am thankful for all of his advice. Condolences to his family.”
Scott Dawson of The Revival praised Race and called him “MY professional wrestling” and like Also, called him the standard bearer for the sport. Dawson wrote, “The standard bearer for professional wrestlers. A tough, respected man who we all hope to be like. He’s MY professional wrestling. The King #RIPHarleyRace”
Below are the full tweets from these stars, along with other tributes from Lex Luger, Mick Foley, Paige, Trish Stratus, Matt Hardy, Sean Waltman, Bully Ray, and others, plus a story from Simon Gotch and promotion statements from WWE, AEW and the NWA:
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
Everything about Harley Race commanded RESPECT…
Today our world mourns with all the RESPECT you deserve…
One of my favorite people in the business and in life.
See you down the road, my friend.#LegendsNeverDie#ThenNowForever https://t.co/l1q2eD7XAl— Triple H (@TripleH) August 1, 2019
Thank you Harley. So many legends in the industry will tell you he was the toughest to ever do it. He never stopped giving. I remember when he managed Vader in wcw, he would still try and scare me backstage. Ten pounds of gold never looked better on anybody. https://t.co/Q1qq4qEeGT
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) August 1, 2019
I will always remember Harley Race as one of the toughest S.O.B’s to ever walk the Earth, who also took the time to personally pick out a pair of earrings for my newborn daughter. Thank you for always being you, a legend in every sense of the word. #RIPHarleyRace
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 1, 2019
The wrestling world has lost another legend and I have lost a dear friend and mentor. RIP Harley Race. You are loved and will be very much missed. https://t.co/KDJzcQY2sI
— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) 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
RIP HARLEY,love you my brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) August 1, 2019
So saddened to hear about the passing of Harley Race. A man’s man. The real deal. So honored to have known him. Thank you Harley for all of the great memories and cherished time spent together. Prayers and condolences for his family
🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/sMfb4HB6vQ— Lex Luger (@GenuineLexLuger) August 1, 2019
— FUNAKI (@shofufu824) August 1, 2019
Rest in Peace to the legendary Harley Race…..
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) August 1, 2019
RIP Harley Race. The few times we met you were very kind and had kind words for us. Thank you sir.
— ⭐⭐Rodriguez 🇲🇽🇺🇸⭐⭐ (@RRWWE) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/RealBullJames/status/1157007811907338249
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1157010175162802182
https://twitter.com/OfficialHacksaw/status/1157011335244328961
RIP to one of the greatest performers there ever was. He was a friend. You will be missed #HarleyRace #RIP
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) August 1, 2019
We lost one of the greats today. #RIPHarley
Sending love and light to his friends and family.
— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) August 1, 2019
I had the pleasure of watching him work and studying his moves and style. I later had the honor of sitting next to him and listening and learning first hand! You will be missed, God speed #HarleyRace and thank you! pic.twitter.com/tWZOHQJ0D6
— Bill DeMott (@BillDeMott) August 1, 2019
R.I.P. Bro. Harley Race. /G “road well traveled.” SMIB #HarleyRace #RIPHarleyRace
— Aron (@AronsThoughts) August 1, 2019
Sad news. Harley was a trailblazing performer & a true ICON in our industry. He was always so kind & friendly in all of our interactions over the years. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family & friends. https://t.co/G8TDwRxGR2
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/OfficialHacksaw/status/1157011335244328961
https://twitter.com/DashWilderWWE/status/1157001874815537152
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
Rest In Peace to a true king, Harley Race. #RIPHarley #HarleyRace
— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) August 1, 2019
We lost a legend today, a real genuine true to the core legend #RIPHarleyRace
— Santino Marella (@milanmiracle) 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
RIP one of the toughest, real world champs in any era. He was responsible for me getting smart to the business way back when. Harley Race was one of a kind. Toughest man on God's green earth! pic.twitter.com/i0Jc8ITRVW
— Tom Prichard (@drtomprichard) August 1, 2019
So sad to loss a icon like Harley!! https://t.co/oXGfgl83XA
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) August 1, 2019
Triple I know you were close, the wrestling world morns with you. https://t.co/zZtZDJHz2E
— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1157017691623788544
RIP Harley Race 🙏🏻
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) August 1, 2019
RIP to the legend Harley Race. 🙏🏻
— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) August 1, 2019
We lost one of the greats today. #RIPHarley
Sending love and light to his friends and family.
— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/ScottDawsonWWE/status/1157030819397025793
RIP pic.twitter.com/B3vFJgNqcF
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) August 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheRealXPac/status/1157008557025316864
https://twitter.com/TheRealXPac/status/1157012031037308928
https://twitter.com/LanceStorm/status/1157006638517067776
Harley Race, one of the greatest Professional Wrestling legends of all time, passed away today. For years Harley was the standard bearer for all of Wrestling. He was revered and respected by all and feared nothing. I am thankful for all of his advice. Condolences to his family.
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) August 1, 2019
Respect.
RIP Sir. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Zct6Iobv9B— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) August 1, 2019
Harley's wife, BJ, had packed the cooler with sodas, snacks and Lunchables for the drive. A bit in to the drive, I hear that gravely voice, "Hey kid, did BJ pack any pop in that cooler?". My eyes widened and I confirmed as I opened a diet Coke and passed it to him, spout to face.
— Simon Gotch / サイモン・ゴッチ (@deviousjourney) August 1, 2019
I began to recount a story @MICHAELMODEST had told me right before I left for Harley's the previous year, that 2 Cold Scorpio had shared with him. Back in WCW Harley had invited Scorp to ride with him (and I think Vader). Scorpio is in the back with the beer and Harley is driving
— Simon Gotch / サイモン・ゴッチ (@deviousjourney) August 1, 2019
Harley then did his best to turn the can so he could access the opening. When I finished recounting that to him, Harley replied "Oh, so that's how you knew to do that". pic.twitter.com/HjIcSjehHn
— Simon Gotch / サイモン・ゴッチ (@deviousjourney) August 1, 2019
Love and strength to the family and friends of @8XNWAChampion …Harley’s presence will never be forgotten by all of those he touched! #RIPHarleyRace
— THE GLAMAZON (@TheBethPhoenix) 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
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 (@AEW) August 1, 2019
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