Harley Race was a master of going into a territory and putting their top guy over, it didn't matter if it was a heel or face. Harley was a true professional and the best NWA World Champion ever. That promo he cut after the match was outstanding.
Harley Race is a legendary technical champion. Even Ron Miller defeated him in this non title match, even it was a title shot. Race would of regained it in no time.
Yes, brought the crowd into the whole scenario, oh no Johnny Jobber can't wrestle Harley Race today, here's the Aussie Champ Ron Miller to step in, crowd pops, steam from Race's ears, Ted Whitten using his football star status to lend cred to his take on the incredible happenings, local champ beats world champ but no belt on the line, crowd lifts the roof, Race keeps stoking the heat with a great rant, kayfabe served its purpose perfectly here. Miller and Race had two one hour draws for the title, Miller was super over and Race was ideal for the local champ v world champ angle, their styles were very complimentary, they would have been very good paydays for sure. I recall seeing some footage they replayed on the Sunday show, I think it was Miller applying reverse figure four, Race getting to the ropes, might have been the finish - bell goes, crowd thinks Miller won by submission, oh no Race was touching the ropes and the bell was for the time limit... kayfabe
Two professionals at work. The ultimate professional champion, Harley Race, doing the professional thing and putting over the local champion at the end of the tour, to leave him strong. They had gone two one-hour broadways with each other during Race's tour. Back in a time when professional wrestling still included professionalism and wrestling. Two great wrestlers, two great professionals and two great guys. Pity Miller didn't tour the USA more often. Though he did have some success there.
As a kid growing up in Australia I was a huge Ronnie Miller fan and I remember these fights against the great Harley race great memories thanks for sharing this vid
If Ted Whitten ever wrestled a match, imagine the crowd he would’ve drawn against Harley Race. The promos would be legendary. I imagine Ted was given offers as he was the most famous Footballer of the time. Collingwood captain Ron Weideman did actually wrestle and drew a big crowd.
Was expecting Harley to win, so I was genuinely surprised when Ron Miller defeated him. I love the match! Was freakin scared when Harley made a “gouging the eye” gesture and saying “If I gotta do it that way, FINE!”
THEY DID MORE IN THIS SEGMENT TO GET ME HYPED THEN ANYTHING IN WRESTLING IN 2020. I THOUGHT RON MILLER WON THE TITLE AND THAT THE WCW AUSTRALIA WAS GOING TO GIVE THE NWA TITLE BACK TO HARLEY RACE AT A LATER DATE SO HARLEY RACE COULD COME BACK TO AMERICA WITH THE TITLE AND NO ONE IN THE US WOULD BE THE WISER HARLEY RACE MADE RON MILLER A LEGEND IN ONLY NINE MINUTES AND SIX SECONDS.
@@johncasper8031 I know for a fact in the modern era Aussie crowds are regarded as some of the best background singers for large bands cause we're so dang loud, maybe Aussie crowds just like to react more than most other places although lets be honest its cause half of us are drunk off our asses at any event
Small crowd means everyone is close enough to hear the impact on the bodies, feel the mat shake from slams and suplexes. No need for exaggerated theatrics so the punters in the faraway seats can follow it, just get two tough guys to throw each other around pretty hard, add in some basic pro wrestling drama and a tightly packed close up crowd will pop. More so here because Race had the NWA World Champ aura, Miller was way over and they had built up the rivalry with one hour draws for the title. Plus the cute pretext for a non title match on TV between Miller and Race, all the ingredients were there
Yes and no. @3:06 "Australia World Championship Wrestling." When the wrestlers were real but the action was fake. Now I think it's the other way around, all the theater outside the ring and action-packed inside the circle.
Yeah, funny that. Amazing to think we had the top talent in the world coming down under at one stage. Such a shame it all went pear shaped. The promo by Race is awesome.
? / ?/1977 Non -Title Match Harley Race (NWA World hw Champion) vs Australia hw Champion 'Ron Miller (subbing Kevin Martin) . They wrestled two 60 draws 3/25/77( Day# 47 of 926 for Harley Race as NWA World hw Champion & 3/26/77 (Day # 48of 926 for Harley Race as NWA World hw Champion Reign #2). Note: this Non -Title Match match is un-document i. If anyone knows live date, City, Arena & Time , & when it Aired on TV 📺 Please reply.
12/77 was the month, and year that I could find with the "arena" being the GTV9 television studio in Melbourne, Australia. I hope that this helps alittle?
They also wrestled July 22nd and 23rd in 1977 in Australia. Also in March 1978 another 2 draws. I can't give you exact information, but Ted Whitten commentating this looks to be a channel 9 TV taping done of a Sunday morning at Richmond studio Melbourne Australia.
Race was a seriously tough guy, respected by all and feared by many. Only a total pro could do this, outstanding work, sir.
Larry Oday was ok too ,and the underrated Johnny Grey
Harley Race was a master of going into a territory and putting their top guy over, it didn't matter if it was a heel or face. Harley was a true professional and the best NWA World Champion ever. That promo he cut after the match was outstanding.
+Michael Volgare I agree. Even on TV, he would make a jobber look good. True professional.
Harley Race is a legendary technical champion. Even Ron Miller defeated him in this non title match, even it was a title shot. Race would of regained it in no time.
@@fotioskatsoulis99 It's all a big act anyway.
@@johnpollock3246 No like all the B S in wrestling these days with wwe
total old school kayfabe , fantastic.
Yes, brought the crowd into the whole scenario, oh no Johnny Jobber can't wrestle Harley Race today, here's the Aussie Champ Ron Miller to step in, crowd pops, steam from Race's ears, Ted Whitten using his football star status to lend cred to his take on the incredible happenings, local champ beats world champ but no belt on the line, crowd lifts the roof, Race keeps stoking the heat with a great rant, kayfabe served its purpose perfectly here. Miller and Race had two one hour draws for the title, Miller was super over and Race was ideal for the local champ v world champ angle, their styles were very complimentary, they would have been very good paydays for sure. I recall seeing some footage they replayed on the Sunday show, I think it was Miller applying reverse figure four, Race getting to the ropes, might have been the finish - bell goes, crowd thinks Miller won by submission, oh no Race was touching the ropes and the bell was for the time limit... kayfabe
Two professionals at work. The ultimate professional champion, Harley Race, doing the professional thing and putting over the local champion at the end of the tour, to leave him strong. They had gone two one-hour broadways with each other during Race's tour. Back in a time when professional wrestling still included professionalism and wrestling. Two great wrestlers, two great professionals and two great guys. Pity Miller didn't tour the USA more often. Though he did have some success there.
I knew a few men who were involved in Wrestling in Australia in the 1960s. It was fixed then like it is now.
Professional actors.
As a kid growing up in Australia I was a huge Ronnie Miller fan and I remember these fights against the great Harley race great memories thanks for sharing this vid
That was a flippin good win by ronny miller harley race top wrestler those days
I was absolutely disgusted that this wasn't on the front page of every Australian newspaper!!!
This is crazy good quality footage for the time frame.
Possibly the biggest moment on TV for World Championship Wrestling.
Mario Millano lets us down .well done Ronnie
Great to see Harley Race in his prime. I can see why he was so successful. Very good worker, and excellent at selling.
If Ted Whitten ever wrestled a match, imagine the crowd he would’ve drawn against Harley Race. The promos would be legendary. I imagine Ted was given offers as he was the most famous Footballer of the time. Collingwood captain Ron Weideman did actually wrestle and drew a big crowd.
Murray Weideman
Was expecting Harley to win, so I was genuinely surprised when Ron Miller defeated him. I love the match!
Was freakin scared when Harley made a “gouging the eye” gesture and saying “If I gotta do it that way, FINE!”
Hilarious! The Great Ted Whitten the host. Harley Race Vs Ron Miller! At the GTV9 Bendigo Street Richmond studios. 😂😂😂
This is what the NWA champion did .. he made every local boy a potential world champion
my favourite moment as a kidda - and I was at Festival Hall the night before! I loooooooove it
A class move by Race to put over the hometown boy. I'd like to see Triple H or John Cena do that.
rk lynch I agree with you, unfortunately we don’t have the territory system anymore.
Rest In Peace Harley race
Ah the memories..........
Good stuff from down under
I'd forgotten that Ted Whitten did that for a while. Poor Ted. The indignity.
R.I.P. King. 👑
work of art
Race was very good on the mic
THEY DID MORE IN THIS SEGMENT TO GET ME HYPED THEN ANYTHING IN WRESTLING IN 2020. I THOUGHT RON MILLER WON THE TITLE AND THAT THE WCW AUSTRALIA WAS GOING TO GIVE THE NWA TITLE BACK TO HARLEY RACE AT A LATER DATE SO HARLEY RACE COULD COME BACK TO AMERICA WITH THE TITLE AND NO ONE IN THE US WOULD BE THE WISER HARLEY RACE MADE RON MILLER A LEGEND IN ONLY NINE MINUTES AND SIX SECONDS.
Big props to Robbie Eagles for naming his submission finisher in NJPW the Ron Miller Special.
This must have been shortly after Harley beat Terry Funk to start his 2nd NWA Title Reign.
bigjoe4110 This was sometime in 1978
i yuster love Ron miller. i hope he is still around and ok
#16: NWA World Heavy weight Champion Harley Race 2/ 6 /1977 10/31/1979 ( Reign #2) ( 926 Days as champion)
Great stuff. Do you have Race vs Rick Martel. That was a great match.
Classic wrestling match!!
Harley Race is still one of the legitimately tough guys in wrestling
Race even messed up one of his lines, and then he plays it off and then improvised on the spot. :)
Great announcer
wow what a pop from such a small crowd
It was the midday Saturday Wrestling on Channel Nine, used as advertising for the shows the following Friday at Sydney Stadium.
@@johncasper8031 I know for a fact in the modern era Aussie crowds are regarded as some of the best background singers for large bands cause we're so dang loud, maybe Aussie crowds just like to react more than most other places
although lets be honest its cause half of us are drunk off our asses at any event
Small crowd means everyone is close enough to hear the impact on the bodies, feel the mat shake from slams and suplexes. No need for exaggerated theatrics so the punters in the faraway seats can follow it, just get two tough guys to throw each other around pretty hard, add in some basic pro wrestling drama and a tightly packed close up crowd will pop. More so here because Race had the NWA World Champ aura, Miller was way over and they had built up the rivalry with one hour draws for the title. Plus the cute pretext for a non title match on TV between Miller and Race, all the ingredients were there
This match was from 1978
Race working hard to make Miller look good.
Wow, great stuff. Harley Race looks like he's tried to get some blood there, but it didn't work too well. Big old big blade cut across the forehead.
Back in the days before steroids! Oh Yes and Harley comparing it to Pearl Harbor 😸
Looking for the date for this clip.
Poor Teddy Whitten. He probably got back to his dressing room, looked in the mirror and thought “How did my fledgling media career come to this?”
Nice comment. Mike Cleary in later life appeared embarrassed by his involvement in World Championship Wrestling.
According to ted whittens wikipedia theres no mention of world championship wrestling
Yes and no. @3:06 "Australia World Championship Wrestling." When the wrestlers were real but the action was fake. Now I think it's the other way around, all the theater outside the ring and action-packed inside the circle.
The commentator looks like Ted Whitten
Yeah, funny that. Amazing to think we had the top talent in the world coming down under at one stage. Such a shame it all went pear shaped.
The promo by Race is awesome.
Of course he was better known for his football
Jaaa. Clasico
? / ?/1977 Non -Title Match Harley Race (NWA World hw Champion) vs Australia hw Champion 'Ron Miller (subbing Kevin Martin) . They wrestled two 60 draws 3/25/77( Day# 47 of 926 for Harley Race as NWA World hw Champion & 3/26/77 (Day # 48of 926 for Harley Race as NWA World hw Champion Reign #2). Note: this Non -Title Match match is un-document i. If anyone knows live date, City, Arena & Time , & when it Aired on TV 📺 Please reply.
12/77 was the month, and year that I could find with the "arena" being the GTV9 television studio in Melbourne, Australia. I hope that this helps alittle?
They also wrestled July 22nd and 23rd in 1977 in Australia. Also in March 1978 another 2 draws. I can't give you exact information, but Ted Whitten commentating this looks to be a channel 9 TV taping done of a Sunday morning at Richmond studio Melbourne Australia.
Woaaah Nelllie
ロビーの、「ロン・ミラースペシャル」のヒト？
Harley seemed upset
Race can't put 2 words together!
Go figure, they threw a ringer on him… I’d be pissed to say anything as well…
Yer the good o`l days of the wrestling!!! They all had to join the Actors Union for some unknown reason....mmmmm??????
Funny enough, exact same finish with Flair several years later: th-cam.com/video/VaMXmT-b8EQ/w-d-xo.htmlm11s
Joey Saylor Yep.
Double U C Double U instead of Dubya Cee Dubya
Slapstick comedy at its best.
Race was terrible on the mic.
Come on man, this promo was incredible
race is busted open!
There should've been a show called prime time wrestling Australian version
Who was Commentator for this match anyone know please
ted whitten
Ted Whitten. Considered by many the Greatest AFL player of all time. Hence his nickname “Mr.Football”.