10 Most Bizarre Stories From Former WWE Superstars

4. Harley Race Almost Shoots Hulk Hogan

Harley Race's run as "King" Harley Race from 1986-1988 in the WWF is one of the more intriguing cases of a legendary NWA main eventer becoming a mid-card comedy act when signed by Vince McMahon. However, the relationship between Harley Race and the WWF wasn't always so comical.

When Hulk Hogan became WWF Champion in 1984, the company began to tour nationwide in markets in which they had syndicated and cable television reach. One of the top markets at the time was Kansas City, Missouri, which at the time was also the main drawing hub of Harley Race-owned and operated NWA member territory Central States Wrestling.

Upon noting that Vince was coming to town, Race decided to pay the show a visit. While reports that he attempted to burn down the WWF's ring are unsubstantiated, Hulk Hogan claims that Race did enter the WWF's locker room, assaulting Hogan from behind and knocking him to the ground.

When Hogan openly questioned whether or not "Handsome Harley" was armed with a gun as well, he pulled a .38 Special out of his suit jacket pocket. Race's wild and outlaw-style behavior (which was the norm in pro wrestling's territorial era) was exactly the type of thing frowned upon by McMahon as he sanitized pro wrestling's image and presentation.

Contributor
Contributor

Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.