Today in Pro Wrestling History (June 21): The American Dream Wins His Second World Title

Today in Pro Wrestling History: On June 21st, 1981, Dusty Rhodes defeats Harley Race to capture his second NWA World Heavyweight title. He would hold the belt for only 88 days, before dropping it to Ric Flair.

Today in Pro Wrestling History (June 21): The American Dream Wins His Second World Title

Our wrestling history is gold, and so are readers like you!

If the following story adds to your collection of wrestling knowledge, you can say thanks:

Tip jar (PayPal) Browse our merch at our brand-new shop (launched Feb. 2026)!

Rhodes’ second reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, however, was relatively short-lived. He held the title for 88 days before losing it to Ric Flair, another iconic figure in the sport, on September 17, 1981. Flair would go on to become one of the most decorated champions in wrestling history, while Rhodes continued to be a major draw and influential figure in the industry.

These stories may also interest you:

Can’t get enough pro wrestling history in your life? Sign up to unlock ten pro wrestling stories curated uniquely for YOU, plus subscriber-exclusive content. A special gift from us awaits after signing up!

Want More? Choose another story!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Flipboard!

Our wrestling history is gold, and so are readers like you!

If this story added to your collection of wrestling knowledge, you can say thanks:

Tip jar (PayPal) Browse our merch at our brand-new shop (launched February 2026)!

Pro Wrestling Stories is committed to accurate, unbiased wrestling content rigorously fact-checked and verified by our team of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies are quickly corrected, with updates timestamped in the article's byline header.

Got a correction, tip, or story idea for Pro Wrestling Stories? Contact us! Learn about our editorial standards here. Ever wanted to learn more about the people behind Pro Wrestling Stories? Meet our authors! Want to write for us? Learn how to join the team.

Quick Tip for Facebook Readers

Many of our readers find us through our Facebook page. Meta's built in browser (which opens by default on mobile) can occasionally freeze mid article, a known issue unrelated to our site. For uninterrupted reading: tap the three dots in the top right corner then select 'Open in external browser'. That usually resolves the glitch. Thanks for your support and we want your wrestling stories to stay as smooth as a top rope hurricanrana!

ProWrestlingStories.com participates in affiliate marketing programs. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn commissions at no extra cost to our readers. This supports our mission to deliver free content for you to enjoy!