Harley Race Talks Cody Rhodes As NWA Champion, Penelope Ford Talks Match With Jazz Ahead Of NWA 70

Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso recently caught up with legendary NWA wrestler Harley Race, who had some thoughts on Cody Rhodes as NWA Champion,

“If Cody keeps on at it, he’ll continue going in the right direction. Each and every person picks out his own spot, and that’s what Cody has went and done. He’s doing good. I’m sure Dusty would be very proud of him.”

Race also talked about the responsibility that comes with being NWA Champion,

“People that were watching me noticed I was the same from word go until I had to get out. I just tried to keep myself in that type of position all the way through my career. Once I made up my mind that this was what I was going to do, I decided I was going to do it damn well.”

The 75 year old Race, who is recovering from a recent fall, intensely misses professional wrestling,

“I miss the whole damn thing. I got it going here at the school, but it’s nothing compared to what it’s like when you are world’s champion and you’re running everywhere around the world that has wrestling. The travel, the camaraderie, I miss all of it.”

Barrasso also chatted with Penelope Ford, who will challenge NWA Women’s Champion Jazz tonight at NWA 70.

Ford, a CZW alum, recognizes the opportunity set before her in tonight’s championship match,

“This is a huge opportunity. I’m going to show Jazz something she’s never experienced before with my gymnastics background. I’m nervous but I’m ready.”

Ford, a former gymnast and competitive cheerleader, also added,

“I wrestle because I love this, but I never expected to go so far.”

Ford, who is arguably best known as Joey Janela’s cornerman, also opened up about what it was like to be a part of the historic All In event,

“All the women from the show shared the locker room together at All In. We were all so nervous and excited. It was all great vibes, but I didn’t know what to expect. I thought we were going to be the first match, and then I waited. My adrenaline was building and building, and when we were finally out there, it just felt so right. I was so excited for Joey, it was such a huge moment for him.”

Ford admitted to feeling a lot of pressure these days, as Janela asked her to carry the torch for him while he recovers from a complete tear of his MCL,

“I feel a lot of pressure. Joey asked me to carry his torch. Am I going to be able to do it? Joey has helped me get where I am now, and I want to make him proud.”

Ford talked about the hard work she put in to make it this far,

“I drive an hour to training and then train for two hours. There is a lot more to me than what is on the outside, and I’m going to show that on Sunday.”