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Nick Bockwinkel
Bockwinkel in 1970 wearing the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.
Birth name	Nicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel
Born	(1934-12-06)December 6, 1934 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	November 14, 2015(2015-11-14) (aged 80) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles
Spouse(s)	Susan Tranchitella ​ ​(m. 1957; div. 1967)​ Darlene Bockwinkel, née Hampp ​ ​(m. 1972)​
Children	2
Family	Warren Bockwinkel (father)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Dick Warren Nick Bock Nick Warren Nick Bockwinkel Nicky Bockwinkel The Phantom Roy Diamond
Billed height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Billed weight	240 lb (109 kg)
Billed from	Beverly Hills, California St. Paul, Minnesota
Trained by	Warren Bockwinkel Lou Thesz
Debut	1954
Retired	1987
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1958–1960

Nicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel (December 6, 1934 – November 14, 2015) was an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the 1970s and 1980s.

Bockwinkel spent the first half of his career as a journeyman babyface, wrestling primarily in California and Hawaii with stints in Texas, Canada, Georgia, and the Pacific Northwest. In 1970, he joined the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based AWA, where he would be based for the remainder of his career. Swiftly rising to prominence as a main event heel, Bockwinkel held the AWA World Tag Team Championship thrice then the AWA World Heavyweight Championship four times before retiring in 1987.

Bockwinkel was recognized for his exceptional technical wrestling ability, mastery of in-ring psychology, and even-toned, articulate promos, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries. Professional wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker described him as "the definitive heavyweight champion heel of the 1970s". He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003, the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009.

Early life

Bockwinkel was born to Warren Bockwinkel – himself a professional wrestler – and Helen (née Crnkovich) Bockwinkel in St. Louis, Missouri on December 6, 1934. Bockwinkel's parents divorced when he was aged five and he lived with his grandmother until he was 12, then attending a boarding school in Indiana for two years before returning to live with his father. As Bockwinkel's father moved around the country for work, he attended four separate high schools. Bockwinkel was a star fullback in high school, winning an "outstanding player" trophy in 1953. He attended the University of Oklahoma on a football scholarship, playing for the Oklahoma Sooners until sustaining a pair of knee injuries that ended his football career and cost him his scholarship. Bockwinkel subsequently transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles - studying marketing - where he began wrestling to fund his studies. After graduating from UCLA, Bockwinkel was drafted into the United States Army in 1958; he spent two years in the Army, during which time he was stationed in Fort Ord in Monterey, California.

Professional wrestling career

Training

Bockwinkel was trained to wrestle by his father Warren, a regional star in the 1940s, and Lou Thesz. He received additional training from Gene Kiniski, Lord Blears, and Wilbur Snyder. When he was first breaking into professional wrestling, Bockwinkel served as the driver for Yukon Eric, taking him to various cities throughout the Eastern and Northeastern United States; he later commented that the experience, "was so smart. Lots of ways to learn about this business."

Early career (1954–1961)

Bockwinkel debuted in 1954 in Los Angeles, California. He spent the early years of his career working in Southern California for the North American Wrestling Alliance, where he occasionally teamed with his father and was occasionally billed as "Nicky Bockwinkel". In 1955, he briefly held the NWA International Television Championship on two occasions.

From June to September 1956, during his summer break from UCLA, Bockwinkel made a foray into the Midwestern United States, performing in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. From July to September 1957, he had a stint in Texas, appearing with Houston Wrestling and Southwest Sports.

In early 1958, upon being drafted into the United States Army, Bockwinkel relocated to Northern California. During his military service, he moonlighted as a wrestler, appearing sporadically for NWA San Francisco and the Oakland, California-based Ad Santel Promotions under a variety of ring names. In April 1958, Bockwinkel (wrestling under the name Dick Warren) and Ramón Torres won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version). They held the titles until June 1958, when they lost to Hombre Montana and Tiny Mills. They regained the titles from Mills and Montana in July, then lost them to Gene Dubuque and Mike Valentino the following month. In June and July 1959, Bockwinkel reappeared with the North American Wrestling Alliance. In late-1959 and early-1960, he made a handful of appearances in Indiana with NWA Indianapolis and the American Wrestling Alliance, where he was billed as "Nick Bock".

Bockwinkel left the Army in 1960. Throughout mid-1960, he wrestled for NWA Detroit. During this time, he also appeared with All Star Wrestling in Omaha, Nebraska, both as Nick Bockwinkel and under a mask as "The Phantom". In late-1960, Bockwinkel returned to the North American Wrestling Alliance, where in December 1960 and January 1961 he won the International Television Tag Team Championship on two occasions: once with Lord Blears and once with Édouard Carpentier. His second reign lasted until May 1961, when he left California to join Southwest Sports in Texas.

Southwest Sports (1961)

In May 1961, Bockwinkel left California for Texas, where he began wrestling for Southwest Sports as an "All American babyface". Shortly after debuting, he won a battle royal in the Dallas Sportatorium. His regular opponents included Angelo Poffo, Corsica Joe, Duke Keomuka, Mike DiBiase, and Waldo Von Erich. In June 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged Von Erich for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion. In July 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Buddy Rogers. Bockwinkel left Texas in September 1961, wrestling a handful of matches for NWA Upstate in Buffalo, New York before relocating to Canada in November 1961.

Big Time Wrestling (1961–1962)

In late-1961, Bockwinkel relocated to Canada, where he began wrestling for the Regina, Saskatchewan-based Big Time Wrestling promotion. His regular opponents included Dave Ruhl, Tiny Mills, and Killer Kowalski. In December 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged Kowalski for the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship. Bockwinkel left Canada in January 1962.

Hawaii and California (1962–1963)

In early-1962, Bockwinkel began wrestling in Hawaii for the Honolulu-based 50th State Big Time Wrestling promotion, where he swiftly became the NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (Hawaiian version) in unclear circumstances. He held the title until June 1962, when he lost it to King Curtis. During his run, he regularly teamed with Lord Blears and Neff Maiava, while his rivals included villians such as Curtis, Buddy Austin, and Tosh Togo. Bockwinkel left 50th State Big Time Wrestling in August 1962, returning to California.

Bockwinkel returned to California in September 1962, joining Roy Shire's American Wrestling Alliance, which had succeeded NWA San Francisco. He formed an "All American babyface" tag team with Wilbur Snyder, and the duo were pushed by Shire as his top babyface tag team. In November 1961, Bockwinkel and Snyder won the NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version), defeating Kinji Shibuya and Mitsu Arakawa in the Cow Palace. They defended the championship against teams including Dan Manoukian and Ciclón Negro and Ray Stevens and The Sheik before losing to Art Nielsen and Stan Nielsen in March 1963. Bockwinkel left the AWA in April 1963 to return to Hawaii.

Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii in April 1963. In July 1963, he defeated King Curtis to win the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship for a second time. His reign lasted until September, when he lost to Don Manoukian in a two out of three falls match. During his run, Bockwinkel teamed with Lord James Blears and briefly feuded with Dick the Bruiser. Bockwinkel subsequently left Hawaii once again, relocating to the Pacific Northwest to wrestle for Pacific Northwest Wrestling.

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1963–1964)

In late-1963, Bockwinkel left Hawaii upon being recruited by Don Owen to join his Portland, Orgeon-based Pacific Northwest Wrestling promotion. He quickly began a feud with NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion Tony Borne. In October 1963, Borne defeated Bockwinkel in a two-out-of-three falls match in which the loser was painted yellow. Later that month, Bockwinkel defeated Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship - his first major singles title. He lost the title to Mad Dog Vachon in November 1963.

In December 1963, Bockwinkel formed a tag team with Nick Kozak. In March 1964, Bockwinkel and Kozak defeated Art Michalik and The Destroyer for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship. Michalik and The Destroyer regained the titles in April, but Bockwinkel and Kozak won them a second time by defeating The Destroyer and Don Manoukian (substituting for Michalik, who was injured). After Kozak himself suffered an injury, Buddy Mareno replaced him as Bockwinkel's partner. Bockwinkel and Mareno held the titles until June 1964, when they lost to Pat Patterson and Tony Borne. Bockwinkel left Pacific Northwest Wrestling the following month.

Hawaii, California, and Australia (1964–1968)

Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii in September 1964, reforging his alliance with Lord James Blears and resuming his feud with King Curtis Iaukea. In November 1964, Bockwinkel won the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship, defeating Johnny Barend. His reign lasted until December 1964, when he lost the title to Iaukea. Over the following months, his opponents included Iaukea, Harold Fujiwara, and Hard Boiled Haggerty. Bockwinkel left Hawaii in May 1965.

In September 1965, Bockwinkel returned to the Los Angeles, California-based North American Wrestling Alliance, since renamed Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA). His regular opponents included Luke Graham, Pedro Morales, El Mongol, and Gorilla Monsoon. Bockwinkel left WWA in January 1966, briefly returning to 50th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii before leaving for a tour of Australia with World Championship Wrestling.

From March 1966 to June 1966, Bockwinkel wrestled in Australia with the World Championship Wrestling promotion. In his first appearance, he won a "Russian Roulette" battle royal in the Sydney Stadium. His regular opponents included Killer Kowalski, Pampero Firpo, Toru Tanaka, and Waldo Von Erich.

Following his tour of Australia, Bockwinkel returned to 50th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii in June 1966. In August 1966, he challenged Johnny Barend for the NWA Hawaii United States Heavyweight Championship, with the match ending in a time limit draw. He faced Barend once again in October, losing to him in a two-out-of-three falls match. In November 1966, Bockwinkel returned to Worldwide Wrestling Associates, where he wrestled until January 1967.

Bockwinkel made a second tour of Australia from January to March 1967. In his first appearance, he participated in a one-night tournament, losing to The Beast in the semi-finals. His opponents during his second stint in Australia included Dory Funk Jr. and Roy Heffernan.

Following his second tour of Australia, Bockwinkel made a handful of appearances in Hawaii before returning to Worldwide Wrestling Associates in April 1967. His regular opponents included Karl Gotch, Hard Boiled Haggerty, and Ricky Romero. Bockwinkel left WWA once more in October 1967, returning to Hawaii once more until early 1968 before moving to Texas in March 1968.

Western States Sports (1968)

In March 1968, Bockwinkel began competing for the West Texas-based Western States Sports promotion, where he was cast as a babyface. Shortly after debuting, Bockwinkel formed a tag team with Ricky Romero, with the duo feuding with the Von Brauners. In April 1968, Bockwinkel and Romero defeated the Von Brauners for the Amarillo version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Their reign lasted until May 1968, when the Von Brauners regained the titles. Over the following months, Bockwickel continued to team with Romero as well as competing as a singles wrestler against opponents such as Gypsy Joe Rosario and Pat Patterson. In September 1968, Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski in two two-out-of-three falls matches. Bockwinkel left Western States Sports in October 1968, returning to Hawaii.

Hawaii (1968–1969)

Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii once more in October 1968. In late-1968, he formed a tag team with Bobby Shane. In March 1969, Bockwinkel and Shane defeated Ripper Collins and Luke Graham for the NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship. Their reign ended the following month when they lost to Collins and Buddy Austin. Bockwinkel continued to compete in 50th State Big Time Wrestling until leaving in November 1969 to join Georgia Championship Wrestling. During this stint in Hawaii, Bockwinkel was cast in an episode of the television program Hawaii Five-O.

Georgia Championship Wrestling (1969–1970)

In November 1969, Bockwinkel began wrestling for the Atlanta, Georgia-based Georgia Championship Wrestling promotion. It was at this time that Bockwinkel became a heel. Having previously wrestled primarily as a babyface, Bockwinkel adopted a "cocky, uppity Beverly Hills California heel" persona in Georgia, aligning himself with the villainous tag team The Assassins. In January 1970, Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.; Funk later described Bockwinkel as "one of the best wrestling challengers for the belt. He was very technical, and put a lot of thought into his interviews, his talk, his work in the ring, his persona."

In January 1970, Bockwinkel defeated Joe Scarpa for the NWA Georgia Television Championship. He lost the title to El Mongol in March 1970, but the title was vacated after footage showing El Mongol using an illegal karate strike was aired; Bockwinkel defeated El Mongol in a rematch later that month. Bockwinkel's second reign ended in April 1970 when he was defeated by his former ally Assassin #2; after The Assassins were suspended and Assassin #2 was stripped of the title, Bockwinkel defeated Joe Scarpa in June 1970 to win the vacant title. His third and final reign ended in August 1970 when he lost to Bobby Shane.

In April 1970, Bockwinkel defeated Assassin #2 for the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship. He held the title until July 1970, when he lost to Paul DeMarco. Bockwinkel regained the title from DeMarco later that month, with his second reign lasting until September 1970 when he lost to Buddy Colt. Following his loss to Colt, Bockwinkel left Georgia, briefly returning to Hawaii before joining the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association. Bockwinkel's appearances in Georgia were described by Jim Zordani as " the wrestling world he was more than capable of being the top heel in a promotion".

American Wrestling Association (1970–1987)

Tag Team Champion reigns (1970–1975)

In December 1970, Bockwinkel began wrestling for the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association (AWA). Over the next year, he went on a lengthy undefeated streak (albeit while losing some matches by disqualification and count-out), with his regular opponents including Edouard Carpentier, Kenny Jay, and Paul Diamond. He sustained his first defeat in September 1971 when he unsuccessfully challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne.

In August 1971, Bockwinkel began teaming with Ray Stevens. The tag team was formed when Bockwinkel interfered in a bout between Stevens and Red Bastien. The duo became "the most hated AWA grapplers of the early 1970s". Bockwinkel and Stevens went on to feud with Bastien and The Crusher, the then-AWA World Tag Team Champions. In January 1972, Bockwinkel and Stevens defeated Bastien and The Crusher for the titles in a two out of three falls match, winning the final fall when Bockwinkel kicked Bastien in the stomach as he attempted to give Stevens an atomic drop. They successfully defended the titles in a series of rematches with Bastien and The Crusher, as well as other challengers such as Billy Robinson and Dr. X, The Vachon Brothers, and Billy Robinson and Wahoo McDaniel. During 1972, Bockwinkel and Stevens also competed in Championship Wrestling from Florida - where they briefly held the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship - and several other promotions. Their reign finally ended in December 1972 when they lost to the "dream team" of Billy Robinson and Verne Gagne.

In January 1973, Bockwinkel and Stevens regained the AWA World Tag Team Championship from Gagne and Robinson in a two out of three falls match. Over the next 18 months, they defended the titles against teams such as the Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes), The Crusher and Mad Dog Vachon, and Billy Robinson and a series of partners including Don Muraco, Geoff Portz, Ken Patera, Red Bastien, and Wahoo McDaniel. Their second reign ended in July 1974 when they lost to Billy Robinson and The Crusher in a two out of three falls match in a match with Greg Gagne as special guest referee. Following their title loss, Bockwinkel and Stevens began feuding with Greg Gagne and his partner Jim Brunzell. Claiming that there was a "conspiracy" against them, in August 1974 Bockwinkel and Stevens introduced Bobby Heenan as their manager to protect their interests, with the trio known as "the Heenan Family".

In October 1974, Bockwinkel and Stevens regained the AWA World Tag Team Championship from Robinson and The Crusher following interference from Heenan. In November 1974, Bockwinkel and Stevens participated in the International Wrestling Enterprise World Championship Series tournament in Japan, during which they defended their titles against The Great Kusatsu and Rusher Kimura. Over the following months, Bockwinkel and Stevens defended their titles against challengers including the High Flyers (Gagne and Brunzell), Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham, and Dusty Rhodes and Larry Hennig. Their third and final reign ended in August 1975 when they were defeated by The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser. The team dissolved shortly thereafter when Stevens departed the AWA, with Bobby Duncum joining the Heenan Family in November 1975.

First reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1975–1980)

In 1975, AWA co-founder Verne Gagne proposed that he transition the AWA World Heavyweight Championship to his son, Greg Gagne. His business partner, Wally Karbo, proposed Bockwinkel as an alternative. Bockwinkel went on to defeat Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 8, 1975 at the age of 40 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, ending Gagne's seven-year reign. The match ended when Heenan Family member Bobby Duncum interfered, enabling Bockwinkel to pin Gagne.

Throughout 1976, Bockwinkel defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against challengers including Gagne, Larry Hennig, Pampero Firpo, Joe Blanchard, Jos LeDuc, Peter Maivia, Art Thomas, and The Crusher. Bockwinkel also teamed with Heenan and Bobby Duncum to face the High Flyers and various partners in a series of six-man tag team matches. In August 1976, Bockwinkel defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant in a bout at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois that ended in a double disqualification.

Following stints in Japan, California, and Florida, Ray Stevens returned to the AWA in late 1976. Stevens rejoined the Heenan Family, which had by now expanded to include Blackjack Lanza, who held the AWA World Tag Team Championship with Bobby Duncum. Stevens was often overlooked by Heenan, who would ignore or interrupt him during televised interviews on All Star Wrestling, angering Stevens. On the December 25, 1976 episode of All Star Wrestling, Heenan was presented with a "Manager of the Year" trophy by Pro Wrestling Illustrated editor Bill Apter. In his acceptance speech, Heenan thanked Bockwinkel, Duncum, and Lanza (overlooking Stevens), then insulted Stevens when he attempted to congratulate him. An incensed Stevens knocked down Heenan and Bockwinkel and shattered Heenan's trophy before being beaten down by the Heenan Family. The angle saw Stevens turn face and begin feuding with the Heenan Family.

In 1977, Bockwinkel defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against Stevens as well as other challengers such as Billy Robinson , The Crusher, Ernie Ladd, Les Thornton, Pedro Morales, and Terry Funk. In 1978, he faced new challengers such as John Tolos, Bob Armstrong, Mr. Wrestling II, Rocky Johnson, Tommy Rich, Rufus R. Jones, and Angelo Mosca, as well as old opponents such as Verne Gagne, Greg Gagne, Billy Robinson, The Crusher, and André the Giant. In December 1978, Bockwinkel and Blackjack Lanza toured Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling, competing in the annual World's Strongest Tag Determination League.

Bockwinkel began 1979 by successfully defending his title against challengers from around the world such as Dino Bravo, Jumbo Tsuruta, and Tiger Jeet Singh. In March 1979, Bockwinkel faced WWWF Champion Bob Backlund in the first ever American Wrestling Association and World Wide Wrestling Federation title versus title bout, with the match ending in a double count-out. Bockwinkel's challengers throughout the remainder of the year included Ricky Steamboat, Bill Dundee, Rick Martel, Bruiser Brody, and Bobo Brazil, as well as old adversaries such as Greg Gagne and The Crusher. In October 1979, Bockwinkel wrestled in Japan for International Wrestling Enterprise as part of its "Dynamite Series" tour; during the tour, he faced IWA World Heavyweight Champion Rusher Kimura in a title versus title bout that ended with Bockwinkel being disqualified.

Bockwinkel began 1980 with defences against opponents such as The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon, Kintaro Oki, Wahoo McDaniel, and Scott Casey. His reign finally came to an end after 1,716 days when he was defeated by Verne Gagne in a bout in Comiskey Park on July 18, 1980, losing to Gagne's signature sleeper hold.

Second reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1981–1982)

Immediately following his loss to Gagne, Bockwinkel challenged World Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Champion Dick the Bruiser in what had been marketed as a title-versus-title match; the bout ended in a draw. Over the following months, Bockwinkel faced a series of the AWA's top faces. In November and December 1980, Bockwinkel once again toured Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling; he competed in the World's Strongest Tag Determination League alongside Jim Brunzell, placing fourth.

After returning from Japan, Bockwinkel unveiled his new finishing move, the "Oriental Sleeper". Throughout early 1981, Bockwinkel received a series of title shots against Gagne, but failed to defeat him. The feud culminated in a final bout between Bockwinkel and Gagne in the St. Paul Civic Center on May 10, 1981, which Gagne once again won using his sleeper hold. Gagne retired following the match, and the AWA World Heavyweight Championship was awarded back to Bockwinkel - the number one contender - on May 19, 1981. This move infuriated wrestling fans throughout the AWA, solidifying Bockwinkel as one of the most despised wrestlers in the world. Throughout the remainder of 1981, Bockwinkel faced challengers such as Pat Patterson, Baron von Raschke, Sheik Adnan Al-Kassie, and Tito Santana. He also defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in other promotions, facing opponents such as a young Bret Hart in Stampede Wrestling and Tony Atlas in Houston Wrestling.

In January 1982, Bockwinkel made another tour of Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "New Year Giant Series". Back in the AWA, Bockwinkel began feuding with Hulk Hogan, who Verne Gagne had signed after Hogan left the World Wrestling Federation. In March 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and Heenan in a handicap match in the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois. Hogan went on to repeatedly challenged Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, with the matches generally ending in disqualifications (meaning the title did not change hands). In matches in April and June 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and was declared the new champion, only for the decisions to be overturned by AWA president Stanley Blackburn due to the use of a foreign object during the match. Behind the scenes, Hogan eventually grew frustrated at being denied the title; the following year, he departed the AWA to return to the WWF, where he was swiftly made WWF Champion and became a global star.

During mid-1982, Bockwinkel made multiple defences of his title in other promotions, facing challengers such as Bret Hart, Keith Hart, Mr. Hito, and David Schultz in Stampede Wrestling, Dick Slater in Houston Wrestling, and Bruiser Brody in Southwest Championship Wrestling. His second reign came to an end on August 29, 1982 when he lost to Otto Wanz in the St. Paul Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Third reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1982–1984)

Bockwinkel regained the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Otto Wanz on October 9, 1982. On February 22, 1984, Jumbo Tsuruta defeated Bockwinkel to capture the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in a match where Terry Funk was a guest referee.

Various feuds (1984–1986)

On an AWA card, Bockwinkel wrestled NWA World Champion Ric Flair for the NWA title on January 16, 1986 at the Winnipeg Arena; the bout ended in a double count out.

Final reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1986–1987)

Bockwinkel last held the AWA World Championship in 1987, at the age of 52. He became popular in a feud against then-AWA champion Stan Hansen. When Hansen failed to appear for a title defense, Bockwinkel won the title by forfeit. Hansen had quit the AWA from that point. Months later he dropped the championship to another second generation wrestler, Curt Hennig, at SuperClash. The match ended in controversial fashion due to interference by Larry Zbyszko, who had handed a roll of coins to Hennig to use on Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel retired in 1987, ending a career that spanned four decades. In one of his final matches as an active competitor, he paid Zbyszko back for costing him the AWA World title by pinning him on an episode of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN after knocking him out with a roll of coins.

Post retirement (1987–2015)

After departing AWA, Bockwinkel worked as a road agent for the World Wrestling Federation, also serving as a color commentator for occasional televised events after having been introduced at an arena show by Bobby Heenan as his replacement for the night. He was released in 1989 due to budget cuts.

Bockwinkel made a return to the ring for one night in December 1990, facing Masa Saito in a bout for New Japan Pro-Wrestling held in Hamamatsu, Japan. He made a second return in May 1992, wrestling Billy Robinson to a time limit draw in a bout for UWF International held in Yokohama, Japan. Bockwinkel wrestled his last ever match in May 1993 for World Championship Wrestling at the pay-per-view Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion, which featured multiple veteran wrestlers; Bockwinkel wrestled former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. to a time limit draw.

In 1994, Bockwinkel became the on-screen commissioner of WCW. He was reunited on the program with Bobby Heenan but their former partnership in AWA was never mentioned. His run as commissioner quietly ended in the summer of 1995, although he was last mentioned as commissioner on a November 1995 edition of WCW Monday Nitro when WCW attorney Nick Lambrose stripped The Giant of the WCW World Heavyweight Title. He was released by WCW in December 1995.

In 2000, he and Yoshiaki Fujiwara were the commissioners for a short-lived shoot style promotion, the Japan Pro Wrestling Association, but as the shoot-style market in Japan had been low since the collapse of UWF International, the wrestlers on it moved to other promotions. Bockwinkel was the President of the Cauliflower Alley Club until stepping down in May 2014 due to health reasons.

On March 31, 2007, he was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame by his former manager Bobby Heenan.

Bockwinkel made an appearance on WWE's Raw on March 29, 2010, as part of a Legends lumberjack match between Christian and Ted Dibiase.

Legacy

Bockwinkel was known for his technical wrestling ability and in-ring psychology. Bob Backlund wrote in his autobiography that "Nick had a great head for the game, a wonderful sense of ring psychology, and an uncanny ability to use his intelligence and cockiness to get under the people's skin. He was a terrific representative for the AWA and was the key player in the success of the AWA for a long time." Backlund goes on to say, "He was a very intelligent, well-spoken, and cocky heel, and his in-ring skills were right up there with the very best in the business." In the book 50 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time: The Definitive Shoot, author Larry Matysik lists Bockwinkel as number 18, writing "He was an athlete, he could wrestle, and his psychology was second to none."

In addition, he was also known for his calm, charismatic, articulate promos, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries. "I used to use the four, five or six syllable words as best I could," Bockwinkel was quoted as saying in the book The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. "If I ran across one I didn't know, I had a little dictionary. I would have this little dictionary, with 70 or 80 words, that I would always be perusing. I had it with me all the time. Automatically, some of these words just starting coming to me in my interviews because I was familiar with them." In 2008, Chris Jericho based his new villainous wrestling persona on Bockwinkel. In his autobiography The Best in the World Jericho wrote, "The WWE had recently released an AWA retrospective DVD, and while watching it, I remembered how great a heel Bockwinkel was. He wore suits for all his interviews and used ten-dollar words that went over the average fans' heads, pissing them off markedly. Here was this pompous blowhard using the fancy talk and wearing the fancy suits, claiming to be the best because he was the World Champion, which was the truth."

Other television appearances

In 1968, Bockwinkel appeared as a contestant on a prime-time version of the NBC game show Hollywood Squares, winning a Pontiac Firebird, a deluxe kitchen set, and $1300 in cash. He played Harry in the episode "Savage Sunday" in the show Hawaii Five-O. Bockwinkel also played a wrestler in an episode of the 1960s television series The Monkees.

Personal life

On June 22, 1957, Bockwinkel married Susan Tranchitella, with whom he had two daughters: Johnna (born October 11, 1958) and Nikki (born April 30, 1961). The couple divorced in 1967. Bockwinkel remarried in 1972 to Darlene Hampp, with the marriage lasting until his death. The couple lived together in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In November 2007, Bockwinkel underwent triple bypass heart surgery.

In 2007, he was elected President of the Cauliflower Alley Club, a non-profit organization. In 2013, Ric Flair told Stone Cold Steve Austin on his podcast that Bockwinkel had Alzheimer's disease. Bockwinkel's wife Darlene denied Flair's claim, but did acknowledge that he had health problems which she wanted to keep private. In August 2014, Bockwinkel stepped down from his position as Cauliflower Alley Club president due to his declining health. He was replaced by former wrestler B. Brian Blair. At the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion in 2015 he appeared frail and his wife said he was making his final public appearance due to dementia and heart issues.

Death

Bockwinkel died from undisclosed causes on the evening of November 14, 2015, suffering from memory issues prior to his death. His remains were cremated in Las Vegas and a memorial mass was held at St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, on November 21, 2015. He was survived by his wife, his two children from his first marriage, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Championships and accomplishments

• 50th State Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Shane
  • NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (2 times)
• American Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (1 time) – with Wilbur Snyder
• American Wrestling Association
  • AWA World Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
  • AWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Ray Stevens
• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2009)
• Championship Wrestling from Florida
  • NWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ray Stevens
• Continental Wrestling Association
  • AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2009
• Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • NWA Georgia Television Championship (3 times)
• National Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
• North American Wrestling Alliance / Worldwide Wrestling Associates
  • International Television Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Édouard Carpentier (1 time) and Lord James Blears (1 time)
  • NWA International Television Championship (2 times)
• NWA Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ricky Romero
• NWA San Francisco
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (San Francisco version) (2 times) – with Ramón Torres (2 times)
• Pacific Northwest Wrestling
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Nick Kozak (1 time) and Nick Kozak/Buddy Mareno (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Stanley Weston Award (2007)
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year (1973) – with Ray Stevens
  • Ranked No. 18 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Class of 2003
• Western States Sports
  • NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) - with Ricky Romero
• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

1. Buddy Mareno replaced Nick Kozak as Bockwinkel's partner during their second reign.

References

1. ^ Johnson, Steven; Oliver, Greg (2010). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels. ECW Press. pp. 68–71. ISBN 978-1-55490-284-2.
2. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850–1952 Transcription: Nicholas Warren Bockwinkel". FindMyPast.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.(subscription required)
3. "California Marriage Index 1949–1959". ancestry.com.
4. "California Divorce Index 1966–1984". ancestry.com.
5. ^ "Minnesota, Marriage Index, 1958-2001". Retrieved May 25, 2017.(subscription required)
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External links

• Nick Bockwinkel on WWE.com
• Nick Bockwinkel's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
• Nick Bockwinkel at IMDb

• 1934 births
• 2015 deaths
• American color commentators
• American male professional wrestlers
• AWA World Heavyweight Champions
• Contestants on American game shows
• Oklahoma Sooners football players
• People from St. Louis
• Professional wrestlers from Missouri
• Professional wrestling announcers
• Professional wrestling authority figures
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
• Professional wrestling trainers
• Stampede Wrestling alumni
• The Heenan Family members
• United States Army soldiers
• WWE Hall of Fame inductees