May 24 Wrestling History: Harley Race Wins NWA Gold, Ric Flair Regains the Title & Owen Hart Tribute Raw

On This Day in Wrestling History: May 24

Professional wrestling history on May 24 is packed with legendary title changes, unforgettable Madison Square Garden moments, emotional tributes, and the continued rise of some of the biggest stars the industry has ever seen.

From Harley Race capturing his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair reclaiming the NWA crown from Kerry Von Erich in Japan, this date helped shape the future of professional wrestling across multiple generations.

Harley Race Wins His First NWA World Heavyweight Championship

In 1973, Harley Race defeated Dory Funk Jr. in Kansas City, Missouri to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the very first time. Race secured the victory in the third fall with a vertical suplex.

The win launched one of the most dominant championship careers in wrestling history. Harley Race would go on to become an eight-time NWA World Champion and one of the defining figures of the territorial era.

Ric Flair Regains the NWA World Title from Kerry Von Erich

One of the most important title changes of the 1980s took place on May 24, 1984 when Ric Flair defeated Kerry Von Erich in Yokosuka, Japan to regain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Kerry’s reign lasted only 18 days after winning the title at the legendary David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions event earlier that month. Flair reclaimed the championship after reversing a roll-up during the third fall.

The controversial finish became a major talking point in World Class Championship Wrestling, with Fritz Von Erich later claiming the referee “didn’t understand wrestling rules.” The referee, however, was respected All Japan official Joe Higuchi.

Oprah Winfrey Appears at a WWF Event

In one of the more surreal celebrity crossovers in wrestling history, Oprah Winfrey appeared at a WWF event in Chicago in 1985.

The future media icon provided commentary and interviewed Hulk Hogan and Don Muraco. After Hogan defeated Muraco in the main event, he celebrated in the ring alongside Oprah. Wrestling and mainstream pop culture collided long before celebrity appearances became standard wrestling business.

Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes & The Road Warriors Headline Jim Crockett Promotions

The territorial wars were raging throughout the 1980s, and Jim Crockett Promotions continued to stack cards across the country on May 24.

In Chicago, JCP drew a sellout crowd of 9,000 fans at the UIC Pavilion in 1987. The card featured Dusty Rhodes teaming with The Road Warriors against Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, and Lex Luger in the main event.

Elsewhere, stars like Nikita Koloff, The Midnight Express, Sting, and Ricky Morton continued building the foundation of what would soon become the national expansion era of WCW.

Madison Square Garden Classics Continue

Madison Square Garden remained the spiritual home of professional wrestling throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

On May 24, 1971, Pedro Morales defended the WWWF Championship against Tarzan Tyler at MSG, while Jimmy Valiant made his Madison Square Garden debut.

Fifteen years later in 1986, Hulk Hogan battled Randy Savage in Boston Garden while the Hart Foundation and British Bulldogs continued one of wrestling’s greatest tag team rivalries.

Owen Hart Tribute Raw Airs in 1999

One day after the tragic death of Owen Hart at WWF Over The Edge, the WWF aired one of the most emotional episodes of Monday Night Raw in wrestling history.

The May 24, 1999 tribute show featured wrestlers, referees, announcers, and friends sharing personal memories of Owen throughout the broadcast. The event included appearances and tributes from Mick Foley, Triple H, Jeff Jarrett, Steve Austin, Mark Henry, and many others.

The show closed with Steve Austin standing in the ring and giving a final toast to Owen Hart’s memory, creating one of the most heartfelt moments ever seen in professional wrestling television history.

Other Major Wrestling History Moments From May 24

Ric Flair defeated Wahoo McDaniel in 1976 to win the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship.

The Diamond Studd, later known as Scott Hall, debuted in WCW in 1991.

WWF held a massive tribute edition of Raw in 1999 dedicated entirely to Owen Hart.

Andre the Giant battled Antonio Inoki in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1985.

Superstar Billy Graham, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, Pedro Morales, and Bruno Sammartino all headlined major cards on this date throughout different eras.

ECW, WCW, WWF, and Jim Crockett Promotions all held notable events on May 24 across the 1990s wrestling boom period.