11 big WWE signings that flopped

#9 Harley Race

The "King" should have had a much more successful career in WWE

At the time of his signing in 1986, Harley Race was one of the most respected wrestlers in the world. A legit tough guy who I would certainly never want to mess with (even now), Race was destined for success in the then WWF.

Sadly, Race did very little of note during his run with the promotion.

Debuting at the age of 43 as the bleach-blond "Handsome" Harley Race in 1986, he quickly won the second-ever King of the Ring tournament and dubbed as "King" Harley Race. This was pretty significant, as the WWF rarely recognized wrestlers' accomplishments outside of the company. As the "King", however, Race didn't really do anything of note, other than coming to the ring in a crown and a cape.

Perhaps his most memorable match (if you can call it that) was his bout with The Junkyard Dog at WrestleMania III. Though he won the match, the King was made to look weak afterwards, as JYD attacked him with a steel chair and stole his cape. He would spend the rest of his time in forgettable feuds with Hulk Hogan and Jim Duggan before going down with a hernia in 1988 and leaving the company a year later following a loss to the new "King", Haku (another guy I would absolutely never mess with).

It's a damn shame that the WWF didn't fully capitalize on Race's potential.