Handsome Harley Race
April 29, 1998
by RichInKC

RichInKC: You had some classic, if not epic, feuds in your career. Are there any particular opponents that stand out in your memory?

Harley Race: That little accolade would have to go to the Funk Brothers. Back in the 60s I was wrestling Terry Funk in a chain match and lost fifteen percent of the vision in my left eye. My first two title reigns was when I took the Heavyweight titles from the only brother team who ever held it: Dory and Terry Funk.

RichInKC: I know that Terry is still active in the sport. Have you had the opportunity to see any of his matches on television?

Harley Race: I watched him a few weeks ago. He doesn't look like the same Terry Funk, but it's him. He's alive and well.

RichInKC: Have you considered getting back into the business and teaching that Funk brother a lesson?

Harley Race: No. I had a car accident in the beginning of '95. I don't know if people are aware of it or not. After three surgeries, I ended up with an artificial hip.

RichInKC: Would you consider returning in a management capacity?

Harley Race: Well that's a probability.

RichInKC: If you had your choice to manage anyone in the sport who would you be interested in working with?

Harley Race: This would probably hit everybody as a big shot, but it wouldn't be one of the guys that is on top now. I would like to take a young kid who has all the credentials and take him all the way to the World's title. I have taken two different people there, besides myself. I have taken Lex Luger and Big Van Vader.

RichInKC: Of the talent out there now, are there any young people who would fit the bill and have the potential for you to take them to that level?

Harley Race: To be real truthful with you, Rich, I haven't watched the young group in quite some time. The reason I haven't is I don't want to get myself interested in doing something until I am ready to do it.

RichInKC: Fair enough. What was the best advice you've ever received when you got into the business? Maybe something you would like to pass on to people thinking about getting into the business themselves.

Harley Race: I guess in my own for instance, it's not taking anything for granted and prepare yourself to be able to wrestle for an hourÖand I did a lot of that.

RichInKC: You don't see a lot of matches going that long anymore.

Harley Race: I don't think there are a lot of wrestlers that are capable of going that long anymore. You take a lot of your real super bodybuilders. When your body is that tight, once you get beyond that 15 or 20 minute marks, that body starts to tighten up on you. Some of them get so stiff they can't even bend.