This is an accepted version of this page
 Bockwinkel in 1973 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel (1934-12-06)December 6, 1934[12] |
| Died | November 14, 2015(2015-11-14) (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
Spouse(s) | [13][14][15] [16] |
| Children | 2 |
| Family | Warren Bockwinkel (father) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Dick Warren[1][2] Nick Bock[1][3] Nick Bockwinkel[4] Nicky Bockwinkel[5] Nick Warren[6] The Phantom[6] Roy Diamond[1] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[4][7] |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg)[4][7] |
| Billed from | Beverly Hills, California[8][9] St. Paul, Minnesota[4][7] |
| Trained by | Warren Bockwinkel[4][10] Lou Thesz[4][10] |
| Debut | 1954[1][11] |
| Retired | May 25, 1993 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1960 |
Nick Bockwinkel | |
|---|---|
| 5th President of theCauliflower Alley Club | |
| In office 2007–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Red Bastien |
| Succeeded by | B. Brian Blair |
Nicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel (December 6, 1934 – November 14, 2015) was an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with theAmerican Wrestling Association (AWA) in the 1970s and 1980s.
Bockwinkel had a lengthy professional wrestling career with matches in 34 consecutive years.[2] Debuting in 1954, Bockwinkel spent the first half of his career as ajourneymanbabyface, wrestling primarily in California and Hawaii with stints in Texas, Georgia, and the Pacific Northwest as well as excursions to Canada and Australia.[17][18] In 1970, he joined theMinneapolis, Minnesota-based AWA, where he was based for the remainder of his career. Swiftly rising to prominence as a main eventheel, Bockwinkel held theAWA World Tag Team Championship three times, then theAWA World Heavyweight Championship four times, before retiring in 1987.
Bockwinkel was recognized for his exceptional technical wrestling ability, mastery of in-ringpsychology, and even-toned, articulatepromos.[19][20][21][22] Professional wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker described him as "the definitive heavyweight champion heel of the 1970s",[23] while historian Scott Beekman described him as "the most successful heel champion in wrestling history".[24] Bockwinkel was inducted into theWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996, theProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003, theWorld Wrestling EntertainmentHall of Fame in 2007, theGeorge Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009, and theNational Wrestling AllianceHall of Fame in 2016.
Bockwinkel was born toWarren Bockwinkel – himself a professional wrestler – and Helen (née Crnkovich) Bockwinkel in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 6, 1934.[20] Bockwinkel's parents divorced when he was aged five and he lived with his grandmother until he was 12, then attended a boarding school inIndiana 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.[5] Bockwinkel was a starfullback in high school, winning an "outstanding player" trophy in 1953.[23] He attended theUniversity of Oklahoma on afootballscholarship, playing for theOklahoma Sooners until sustaining a pair of knee injuries that ended his football career and cost him his scholarship.[2][22][25][26] Bockwinkel subsequently transferred to theUniversity of California, Los Angeles—studying marketing—where at the suggestion of his father he began wrestling to fund his studies.[5][11][20] After graduating from UCLA, Bockwinkel wasdrafted into theUnited States Army in 1958; he spent two years in the Army, during which time he was stationed inFort Ord inMonterey, California.[6]
Bockwinkel was trained to wrestle by his fatherWarren, a regional star in the 1940s, andLou Thesz.[4][10] He received additional training fromGene Kiniski,Lord Blears, andWilbur Snyder.[5] When he was first breaking into professional wrestling, Bockwinkel served as the driver forYukon Eric, taking him to various cities throughout theEastern andNortheastern United States; he later commented that the experience, "was so smart. [...] Lots of ways to learn about this business."[23][26][27]
Bockwinkel debuted in 1954 inLos Angeles, California.[2][11][23][28] He spent the early years of his career working inSouthern California for theNorth American Wrestling Alliance, where he occasionally teamed with his father and was sometimes billed as "Nicky Bockwinkel". In 1955, he briefly held theNWA International Television Championship.[6][29][30]
From June to September 1956, during his summer break from UCLA, Bockwinkel made a foray into theMidwestern United States, performing in cities such asChicago,Milwaukee, andSt. Louis.[6][31] From July to September 1957, he had a stint in Texas, appearing withHouston Wrestling andSouthwest Sports.[6][32]
In early 1958, upon being drafted into the United States Army, Bockwinkel relocated toNorthern California.[6] During his military service, hemoonlighted as a wrestler, appearing sporadically forNWA San Francisco and theOakland, California-based Ad Santel Promotions under a variety of ring names.[33][34] In April 1958, Bockwinkel (wrestling under the name "Dick Warren") andRamón Torres won theNWA World Tag Team Championship(San Francisco version). They held the titles until June 1958, when they lost toHombre Montana andTiny Mills. They regained the titles from Mills and Montana in July, then lost them toGene Dubuque andMike Valentino the following month.[35][36] 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 inIndiana with NWA Indianapolis and the American Wrestling Alliance, where he was billed as "Nick Bock".[3][6][37][38]
Bockwinkel left the Army in 1960. Throughout mid-1960, he wrestled forBig Time Wrestling inDetroit. During this time, he also appeared with All Star Wrestling inOmaha, Nebraska, both as Nick Bockwinkel and under a mask as "The Phantom".[6][38] In late-1960, Bockwinkel returned to the North American Wrestling Alliance, where in December 1960 and January 1961 he won theInternational Television Tag Team Championship on two occasions: once with Lord Blears and once withÉdouard Carpentier. His second reign lasted until May 1961, when he left California to join Southwest Sports in Texas.[39][40]
In May 1961, Bockwinkel left California for Texas, where he began wrestling forSouthwest Sports as an "All American babyface".[41] Shortly after debuting, he won abattle royal in theDallas Sportatorium. His regular opponents includedAngelo Poffo,Corsica Joe,Duke Keomuka,Mike DiBiase, andWaldo Von Erich. In June 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged Von Erich for theNWA Texas Heavyweight Champion. In July 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged visitingNWA World Heavyweight ChampionBuddy Rogers. Bockwinkel left Texas in September 1961, wrestling a handful of matches for NWA Upstate inBuffalo, New York, before relocating to Canada.[40]
In November 1961, Bockwinkel began wrestling in Canada for theRegina, Saskatchewan-basedBig Time Wrestling promotion. He occasionally teamed withGeorge Scott, while his regular opponents includedDave Ruhl,Tiny Mills, andKiller Kowalski. In December 1961, he unsuccessfully challenged Kowalski for theNWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship. Bockwinkel left Canada in January 1962.[42]
In early-1962, Bockwinkel began wrestling in Hawaii for theHonolulu-based50th State Big Time Wrestling promotion, where he was named the inauguralNWA United States Heavyweight Champion(Hawaiian version) on arrival. He held the title until June 1962, when he lost it toKing Curtis Iaukea.[43][44] During his run, he regularly teamed withLord Blears andNeff Maiava, while his rivals included villains such as Curtis,Buddy Austin, andTosh Togo. Bockwinkel left 50th State Big Time Wrestling in August 1962.[41][43]
Bockwinkel returned to California in September 1962, joining Roy Shire'sAmerican Wrestling Alliance, which had succeededNWA San Francisco. He formed an "All American babyface" tag team withWilbur Snyder, and the duo were pushed by Shire as his top babyface tag team.[41] In November 1961, Bockwinkel and Snyder won theNWA World Tag Team Championship(San Francisco version), defeatingKinji Shibuya andMitsu Arakawa in theCow Palace.[45] They defended the championship against teams includingDan Manoukian andCiclón Negro andRay Stevens andThe Sheik before losing to Art Nielsen and Stan Nielsen in March 1963.[45][46] Bockwinkel left the AWA in April 1963.[46][47]
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 toDon Manoukian in atwo out of three falls match.[43] During his run, Bockwinkel teamed withLord James Blears and briefly feuded withDick the Bruiser.[46] Bockwinkel subsequently left Hawaii once again, relocating to thePacific Northwest to wrestle forPacific Northwest Wrestling.[46][47]
In late-1963, Bockwinkel left Hawaii upon being recruited byDon Owen to join hisPortland, Oregon-basedPacific Northwest Wrestling promotion.[46] He quickly began a feud withNWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight ChampionTony Borne. In October 1963, Borne defeated Bockwinkel in atwo-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 toMad Dog Vachon in November 1963.[20][48][49][50][51] In December 1963, Bockwinkel formed a tag team with Nick Kozak. In March 1964, Bockwinkel and Kozak defeatedArt Michalik andThe Destroyer for theNWA 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 andDon Manoukian (substituting for Michalik, who was injured). After Kozakhimself suffered an injury,Buddy Mareno replaced him as Bockwinkel's partner. Bockwinkel and Mareno held the titles until June 1964, when they lost toPat Patterson and Tony Borne.[46][48][52] Bockwinkel left Pacific Northwest Wrestling the following month.[53]
Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii in September 1964, reforging his alliance with Lord James Blears and resuming his feud with King Curtis Iaukea.[53][54] In November 1964, Bockwinkel won theNWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship, defeatingJohnny Barend. His reign lasted until December 1964, when he lost the title to Iaukea.[55] Over the following months, his opponents included Iaukea,Harold Fujiwara, andHard Boiled Haggerty. Bockwinkel left Hawaii in May 1965.[53][56]
In September 1965, Bockwinkel returned to the Los Angeles, California-based North American Wrestling Alliance, since renamedWorldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA). His opponents includedLuke Graham,Pedro Morales,El Mongol, andGorilla Monsoon.[53][56] Bockwinkel left WWA in January 1966, briefly returning to 50th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii before leaving for a tour of Australia.[57]
From March 1966 to June 1966, Bockwinkel wrestled in Australia with theWorld Championship Wrestling promotion. In his first appearance, he won a "Russian Roulette"battle royal in theSydney Stadium. His regular opponents includedKiller Kowalski,Pampero Firpo,Toru Tanaka,Waldo Von Erich, andLarry O'Dea.[53][58]
Following his tour of Australia, Bockwinkel returned to 50th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii in June 1966. In August 1966, he challengedJohnny Barend for theNWA 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 atwo-out-of-three falls match. In November 1966, Bockwinkel returned to Worldwide Wrestling Associates, where he wrestled until January 1967.[53][57][59]
Bockwinkel made a second tour of Australia with World Championship Wrestling 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 includedDory Funk Jr.,Roy Heffernan, andRudy LaBelle.[53][58]
Following his second tour of Australia, Bockwinkel made a handful of appearances in Hawaii before returning toWorldwide Wrestling Associates in April 1967. His regular opponents includedKarl Gotch,Hard Boiled Haggerty, andRicky Romero.[53][59] During his time in California, he appeared in an episode of the television seriesThe Monkees.[10] Bockwinkel left WWA once more in October 1967, returning to Hawaii once more until early 1968 before moving to Texas in March 1968.[59][60]
In March 1968, Bockwinkel began competing for theWest Texas-basedWestern States Sports promotion, where he was cast as a babyface. Shortly after debuting, Bockwinkel formed a tag team withRicky Romero, with the duo feuding withthe Von Brauners. In April 1968, Bockwinkel and Romero defeated the Von Brauners for theAmarillo 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 asGypsy Joe Rosario andPat Patterson. In September 1968, Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visitingNWA World Heavyweight ChampionGene Kiniski in twotwo-out-of-three falls matches. Bockwinkel left Western States Sports in October 1968.[61][62]
Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii once more in October 1968. In late-1968, he formed a tag team withBobby Shane.[62] In December 1968, he held theNWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship for a second time.[55] In March 1969, Bockwinkel and Shane defeatedRipper Collins andLuke Graham for theNWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship. Their reign ended the following month when they lost to Collins andBuddy Austin. Bockwinkel continued to compete in 50th State Big Time Wrestling until leaving in November 1969 to joinGeorgia Championship Wrestling.[9][63] During this stint in Hawaii, Bockwinkel was cast in an episode of the television programHawaii Five-O.[64]
In November 1969, Bockwinkel began wrestling for theAtlanta, Georgia-basedGeorgia Championship Wrestling promotion. It was at this time that Bockwinkel "found his calling" as a heel.[12][23] Having previously wrestled primarily as a babyface, Bockwinkel adopted a "cocky, uppity Beverly Hills California heel" persona in Georgia,[9] aligning himself with the villainous tag teamThe Assassins. In January 1970, Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visitingNWA World Heavyweight ChampionDory Funk Jr.;[65] 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."[66]
In January 1970, Bockwinkel defeatedJoe Scarpa for theNWA Georgia Television Championship. He lost the title toEl 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 toBobby Shane.[65][67]
In April 1970, Bockwinkel defeated Assassin #2 for theNWA 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 toBuddy Colt.[65][68][69] Following his loss to Colt, Bockwinkel left Georgia, briefly returning to Hawaii once more before joining theMinneapolis, Minnesota-basedAmerican Wrestling Association.[65][70] Bockwinkel's appearances in Georgia were described by Jim Zordani as "[showing] the wrestling world he was more than capable of being the top heel in a promotion".[9]
In December 1970, Bockwinkel began wrestling for theMinneapolis, Minnesota-basedAmerican Wrestling Association (AWA).[70] Over the following months, he went on a lengthy undefeated streak (albeit while losing some matches by disqualification and count-out), with his regular opponents includingEdouard Carpentier,Kenny Jay, andPaul Diamond. He sustained his first defeat in September 1971 when he unsuccessfully challengedAWA World Heavyweight ChampionVerne Gagne.[71][72]
In August 1971, Bockwinkel began teaming withRay Stevens.[4] The duo became "the most hated AWA grapplers of the early 1970s";[73] they ultimately wrestled over 300 matches together.[2] The tag team was formed when Bockwinkel interfered in a bout between Stevens andRed Bastien.[72] Bockwinkel and Stevens went on to feud with Bastien andThe Crusher, the then-AWA World Tag Team Champions. In January 1972, Bockwinkel and Stevens defeated Bastien and The Crusher for the titles in atwo out of three falls match, winning the final fall when Bockwinkel kicked Bastien in the stomach as he attempted to give Stevens anatomic drop.[72][74] They successfully defended the titles in a series of rematches with Bastien and The Crusher, as well as other challengers such asBilly Robinson andDr. X,The Vachon Brothers, and Billy Robinson andWahoo McDaniel.[8][75] During 1972, Bockwinkel and Stevens also competed inChampionship Wrestling from Florida - where they briefly held theNWA Florida Tag Team Championship[76] - and several other promotions.[8][75] Their reign as AWA World Tag Team Champions finally ended in December 1972 when they lost to the "dream team" of Billy Robinson and Verne Gagne.[74][75][77]
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.[74][78] Over the next 18 months, they defended the titles against teams such as the Texas Outlaws (Dick Murdoch andDusty Rhodes), The Crusher andMad Dog Vachon, and Billy Robinson and a series of partners includingDon Muraco,Geoff Portz,Ken Patera, Red Bastien, and Wahoo McDaniel.[78] MagazinePro Wrestling Illustrated named Bockwinkel and Stevens its "Tag Team of the Year" for 1973.[79] 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 withGreg Gagne as special guest referee.[74][78][80][81] Following their title loss, Bockwinkel and Stevens began feuding with Greg Gagne and his partnerJim Brunzell. Claiming that there was a "conspiracy" against them, in August 1974 Bockwinkel and Stevens introducedBobby Heenan as theirmanager to protect their interests.[81][82][83]
In October 1974, Bockwinkel and Stevens regained the AWA World Tag Team Championship from Robinson and The Crusher following interference from Heenan.[74][80][81] In November 1974, Bockwinkel and Stevens participated in theInternational Wrestling Enterprise World Championship Series tournament in Japan, during which they defended their titles against The Great Kusatsu andRusher Kimura.[80] On January 25, 1975, an angry fan fired a gun at Heenan in Chicago'sInternational Amphitheatre after Heenan interfered in Bockwinkel's match; neither Heenan nor Bockwinkel were hit, but several audience members at ringside were injured.[84] Over the following months, Bockwinkel and Stevens defended their titles against challengers including the High Flyers (Gagne and Brunzell), Dusty Rhodes andSuperstar Billy Graham, and Dusty Rhodes andLarry Hennig. Their third and final reign ended in August 1975 when they were defeated by The Crusher andDick the Bruiser.[74][85] The team dissolved shortly thereafter when Stevens departed the AWA, withBobby Duncum allying with Bockwinkel in November 1975.[86]
In 1975, AWA co-founder andWorld Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne proposed that he transition the title to his son,Greg Gagne. His business partner,Wally Karbo, proposed Bockwinkel as an alternative.[27] Bockwinkel went on to defeat Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 8, 1975, at the age of 40 in theSt. Paul Civic Center inSaint Paul, Minnesota, ending Gagne's seven-year reign.[4][85][87] The match ended when Bobby Duncum interfered, enabling Bockwinkel to pin Gagne.[86]
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 andBobby Duncum to face the High Flyers and various partners in a series ofsix-man tag team matches. In August 1976, Bockwinkel defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship againstAndré the Giant in a bout atComiskey Park inChicago, Illinois, that ended in a double disqualification.[86][88]
Following stints in Japan, California, and Florida, Ray Stevens returned to the AWA in late 1976. Stevens reunited with Bockwinkel and Heenan, who had by now also been joined byBlackjack Lanza (who held the AWA World Tag Team Championship with Bobby Duncum) in what was known as the "Heenan Family".[89] Stevens was often overlooked by Heenan, who would ignore or interrupt him during televised interviews onAll Star Wrestling, angering Stevens. On the December 25, 1976, episode ofAll Star Wrestling, Heenan was presented with a "Manager of the Year" trophy byPro Wrestling Illustrated editorBill 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. Theangle saw Stevensturnface and begin feuding with the Heenan Family.[90][91]
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, andTerry Funk.[92] In 1978, he faced new challengers such asJohn Tolos,Bob Armstrong,Mr. Wrestling II,Rocky Johnson,Tommy Rich,Rufus R. Jones, andAngelo 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 withAll Japan Pro Wrestling, competing in the annualWorld's Strongest Tag Determination League.[93][94]
Bockwinkel began 1979 by successfully defending his title against challengers from around the world such asDino Bravo,Jumbo Tsuruta, andTiger Jeet Singh.[95] In March 1979, Bockwinkel facedWWWF ChampionBob Backlund in the first ever American Wrestling Association andWorld Wide Wrestling Federation title versus title bout, with the match ending in a double count-out.[4][7][96][97] In April 1979, Bockwinkel appeared withMid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, defending his title against challengers such asJohnny Weaver andPaul Orndorff. Back in the AWA, Bockwinkel's challengers throughout the remainder of the year includedRicky Steamboat,Bill Dundee,Rick Martel,Bruiser Brody,Bobo Brazil, andSuper Destroyer Mark II, as well as old adversaries such as Greg Gagne and The Crusher. In September 1979, Bockwinkel returned to Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where he facedNWA World Television ChampionRicky Steamboat in a title versus title match that ended in a disqualification (meaning the title did not change hands). In October 1979, Bockwinkel wrestled in Japan forInternational Wrestling Enterprise as part of its "Dynamite Series" tour; during the tour, he facedIWA World Heavyweight ChampionRusher Kimura in a title versus title bout that ended with Bockwinkel being disqualified (meaning the title did not change hands).[95][98]
Bockwinkel began 1980 with defences against opponents such as The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon,Kintarō Ōki, Wahoo McDaniel, andScott 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 signaturesleeper hold.[87][98][99]
Immediately following his loss to Gagne, Bockwinkel challengedWorld Wrestling AssociationWorld 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.[99][100]
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 theSt. 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.[87][101][100] This move infuriated AWA fans, solidifying Bockwinkel's status as one of the most despised wrestlers in the world.[23][26][91][102][103] Throughout the remainder of 1981, Bockwinkel faced fresh challengers such asTito Santana,Pat Patterson,Baron von Raschke, andAdnan Al-Kaissie. He also defended the AWA World Heavyweight Championship in other promotions, facing opponents such as a youngBret Hart inStampede Wrestling andTony Atlas inHouston Wrestling.[101][104][105] In December 1981, he appeared inBremen, Germany with theCatch Wrestling Association, defending the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against Austrian wrestlerOtto Wanz in a bout that went to a time limit draw.[101]
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 withHulk Hogan, who Verne Gagne had signed after Hogan left the World Wrestling Federation.[106] Hogan had swiftly become the AWA's top babyface, with his popularity booming further following the release ofRocky III (in which Hogan appeared) in May 1982.[107] In March 1982, Hogan defeated Bockwinkel and Heenan in a non-titlehandicap match in theInternational Amphitheatre inChicago, Illinois. Hogan went on to repeatedly challenge Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, with the matches generally ending in disqualifications (meaning the title did not change hands). In April 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.[108][109][110]
During mid-1982, Bockwinkel made multiple defences of his title in other promotions, facing challengers such as Bret Hart,Keith Hart,Mr. Hito, andDavid Schultz in Stampede Wrestling,Dick Slater in Houston Wrestling, andBruiser Brody inSouthwest 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.[87][108] The loss - regarded as a majorupset - reportedly came about after Wanz offered Verne Gagne $50,000 (equivalent to $163,000 in 2024) in return for a run as AWA World Heavyweight Champion,[91][107] enabling him to bill himself as a former world champion.[111]
Bockwinkel faced Otto Wanz in a series of rematches, eventually defeating him to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship for a third time on October 9, 1982, in the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois.[87][108] Two days later, Bockwinkel appeared with theContinental Wrestling Association in theMid-South Coliseum inMemphis, Tennessee, where he defeatedJerry Lawler to win theAWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. Bockwinkel spent the next month as a dual champion before losing the title back to Lawler in a no disqualification"title versus hair" match.[108][112] Bockwinkel closed out 1982 with successful defences of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against challengers such asRick Martel,Mike Graham, Tito Santana, Jim Brunzell, and Baron von Raschke.[108] On December 27, 1982, the AWA World Heavyweight Championship was held up after a match between Bockwinkel and Jerry Lawler ended in controversial circumstances; Bockwinkel defeated Lawler the following month to confirm his status as champion.[113]
Throughout 1983, Bockwinkel faced challengers such as Pat Patterson, Rick Martel, Baron von Raschke, Jerry Lawler, Wahoo McDaniel, andBrad Rheingans. In April 1983, Bockwinkel defended his title against Hulk Hogan once more at theSuper Sundaysupercard in the St. Paul Civic Center, which was attended by over 18,000 fans with over 4,000 more fans watching onclosed-circuit television in theRoy Wilkins Auditorium, withLord James Blears asspecial guest referee. Hogan won the bout (and the title) by pinfall following aleg drop, but subsequently AWA president Stanley Blackburn overturned the decision on the basis that Hogan had thrown Bockwinkel over the top rope (an illegal maneuver in the AWA), infuriating fans.[7][91][114][115][116][117] Behind the scenes, disputes between Hogan and Verne Gagne led Hogan to depart the AWA later that year to return to the WWF, where he was swiftly madeWWF Champion and became a global star.[23][118][119][120] In July 1983, Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "Grand Champion Carnival III" tour, facing opponents such asGenichiro Tenryu andJumbo Tsuruta.[121]
Bockwinkel began 1984 with defences against challengers such as Dino Bravo, Jerry Lawler, and Brad Rheingans.[122] He had a short feud with his former ally Blackjack Lanza, who left the Heenan Family after being berated by Bobby Heenan for losing to Greg Gagne; Bockwinkel also faced Lanza and his new partnerBlackjack Mulligan in a series of tag team matches.[122][123] In February 1984, Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "Excite Series" tour; on February 23 in theKuramae Kokugikan inTokyo, Bockwinkel facedNWA International Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta in a title versus title match with Terry Funk as the guest referee. The bout was won by Tsuruta, bringing Bockwinkel's third reign as champion to an end.[18][23][36][87][122][124] Similarly to Otto Wanz in 1982, Tsuruta's victory reportedly came about after All Japan Pro Wrestling ownerGiant Baba paid Verne Gagne a "sizeable sum of money" for Tsuruta to have a short reign as AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[125]
In spring 1984, Bockwinkel unsuccessfully attempted to regain the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Jumbo Tsuruta in a series of bouts.[122] AfterRick Martel won the title from Tsuruta in May 1984, Bockwinkel was his first challenger.[126] In July 1984, Bockwinkel formed a tag team withMr. Saito and began a lengthy feud withThe Fabulous Ones that lasted to the end of the year.[122] In September 1984, Bockwinkel's long-time manager Bobby Heenan left the AWA to join the World Wrestling Federation, ending their decade-long association.[125] In December 1984, Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling, participating in that year's World's Strongest Tag Determination League withHarley Race as his partner.[122]
Bockwinkel and Saito continued to team in early 1985, facing teams such as Curt Hennig andLarry Hennig,The Road Warriors, and The High Flyers (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell) before separating in April 1985 when Mr. Saito left the AWA due to legal issues.[127][128] That same month, Bockwinkel reformed his tag team with Ray Stevens. In July 1985, the team was joined by Larry Zbyszko, with the trio feuding with Greg Gagne andSgt. Slaughter. At the inauguralSuperClashsupercard event on September 28, 1985, in Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois - which was attended by over 20,000 people - Bockwinkel competed on the undercard in asix-man tag team match, teaming with Stevens and Zbyszko in a loss toCurt Hennig, Greg Gagne, andScott Hall. In November and December 1985, Bockwinkel once again participated in the All Japan Pro WrestlingWorld's Strongest Tag Determination League, teaming with Curt Hennig.[127]
On the December 3, 1985, episode ofAWA on ESPN, Zbyszko faced Greg Gagne with Bockwinkel oncolor commentary at ringside. The match ended in a disqualification when Zbyszko struck Gagne in the midsection with anunchaku. Following the match, Zbyszko struck Gagne in the back of the head, then hit Bockwinkel as he remonstrated with him. The angle saw the alliance between Zbyszko and Bockwinkel end, with Bockwinkel turning face for the first time since joining the AWA in 1970.[10][128][129] In January 1986, Bockwinkel challengedNWA World Heavyweight ChampionRic Flair at theWinnipeg Arena inWinnipeg, Manitoba; the bout ended in a double count out. Bockwinkel faced Zbyszko in a series of increasingly violent matches throughout early 1986, includingTexas death matches andsteel cage matches.[7][130]
In April 1986, Bockwinkel began challenging AWA World Heavyweight ChampionStan Hansen. At that month'sWrestleRock 86 supercard event in theHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bockwinkel defeated Hansen by disqualification (meaning the title did not change hands).[130] After Hansenno-showed a scheduled title defence against Bockwinkel due to a prior touring commitment with All Japan Pro Wrestling, Verne Gagne stripped him of the title and Bockwinkel was named the new champion (by forfeiture) for a fourth and final time on June 28, 1986, at the age of 52. A disgruntled Hansen defended the title belt in Japan, then upon his return to the United States ran it over with his car and mailed the fragments to Gagne.[23][73][87][131][132]
Throughout the remainder of 1986, Bockwinkel defended the title against Larry Zbyszko and other challengers such asBoris Zhukov,Nord the Barbarian, and Scott Hall, as well as wrestling Curt Henning to a time limit draw in an hour-long bout.[130] In 1987, he faced challengers such asLeon White,The Super Ninja,Austin Idol, andColonel DeBeers. His fourth and final reign as AWA World Heavyweight Champion ended on May 2, 1987, when he lost to Curt Hennig atSuperClash II in theCow Palace inSan Francisco, California.[23][87][133][134] The match ended in controversial fashion due to interference by Larry Zbyszko, who handed aroll of coins to Hennig to use on Bockwinkel.[135][136] Verne Gagne had reportedly originally intended to reverse the decision and return the title to Bockwinkel, but decided to keep the title on Hennig due to the strong reception to him during the match and a desire to prevent Hennig from leaving the AWA for the World Wrestling Federation.[137]
Bockwinkel wrestled his final match for the AWA on August 2, 1987, unsuccessfully challenging Curt Hennig. In August and September 1987 he made his final appearances with All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "Summer Action Series II" tour. On November 16, he participated in a World Wrestling Federationbattle royal at theBrendan Byrne Arena inEast Rutherford, New Jersey, alongside multiple other veteran wrestlers, with formerNWA World Heavyweight ChampionLou Thesz prevailing. Bockwinkel subsequently retired from professional wrestling, marking the end of a career that spanned four decades.[134]
With the American Wrestling Association declining, in 1987 Bockwinkel approached the World Wrestling Federation and was hired as aroad agent.[2][12] He 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.[7][3] In December 1987, he served as special guest referee for a bout betweenRandy Savage andThe Honky Tonk Man.[82] He was released in 1989 due to budget cuts, after which he began working infinancial services.[12]
Bockwinkel made a return to the ring for one night in December 1990, facingMasa Saito in a bout forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling held in theHamamatsu Arena inHamamatsu, Japan.[23][138] He made a second return in May 1992, wrestlingBilly Robinson to a time limit draw in anexhibition match forUWF International held in theYokohama Arena inYokohama, Japan.[139][140] Bockwinkel wrestled his last ever match on May 23, 1993, forWorld Championship Wrestling at thepay-per-viewSlamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion (which featured multiple veteran wrestlers), going to a time limit draw with former NWA World Heavyweight ChampionDory Funk Jr. in a specialNWA vs.AWA match.[23][141]
In 1994, Bockwinkel became the on-screen commissioner of World Championship Wrestling. His run as commissioner quietly ended in the summer of 1995, although he was last mentioned as commissioner on a November 1995 edition ofWCW Monday Nitro when WCW attorney Nick Lambrose strippedThe Giant of theWCW World Heavyweight Championship. He was released by WCW in December 1995.[4][142]
In 2000, Bockwinkel andYoshiaki Fujiwara served as commissioners for a short-lived "shoot-style" promotion, the Japan Pro Wrestling Association.[2]
On March 29, 2010, Bockwinkel made a guest appearance onWWERaw, where he was one of several "legends" at ringside for alumberjack match betweenChristian andTed Dibiase.[143]
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."[144] In the book50 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time: The Definitive Shoot, authorLarry Matysik named Bockwinkel the 18th greatest professional wrestler, writing "he was an athlete, he could wrestle, and his psychology was second to none."[27] Professional wrestling journalistDave Meltzer described Bockwinkel as "a first-rate worker".[145] Fellow wrestlerJim Wilson described Bockwinkel as "one of wrestling's truly smooth workers with a repertoire of moves executed fluidly, believably and without a hint of pain for his opponents."[146] Bockwinkel was reportedly considered by theNational Wrestling Alliance as a candidate to beNWA World Heavyweight Champion in the late-1970s but withdrew his name from contention due to regarding the travelling schedule of the champion to be too arduous.[98] Richard Berger described Bockwinkel as "a poster boy for what was right about wrestling" who was "a technical maestro, capable of working smoothly and comfortably with most any opponent regardless of that man's style or limitations".[147]
Bockwinkel was known for his calm, charismatic, articulate promos, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.[19][20][21] "I used to use the four, five or six syllable words as best I could," Bockwinkel was quoted as saying in the bookThe 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."[20][66] Richard Berger described Bockwinkel as a "master orator" who spoke "candidly, clearly and intelligently".[147] In 2008,Chris Jericho based his new villainous wrestling persona on Bockwinkel. In his autobiographyThe Best in the World Jericho wrote, "The WWE had recently released an AWA retrospectiveDVD, 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 theWorld Champion, which was the truth."[148]
Bockwinkel was inducted into theWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996 (as part of the inaugural class),[149] theProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2003,[12] theWorld Wrestling EntertainmentHall of Fame in 2007,[4][26] theGeorge Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009,[150] and theNational Wrestling AllianceHall of Fame in 2016.[151][152] In 2007, magazinePro Wrestling Illustrated gave Bockwinkel itsStanley Weston Award (alifetime achievement award).[153] In 2009, theCauliflower Alley Club gave Bockwinkel its Iron Mike Mazurki Award.[154]
For the first half of his career, Bockwinkel was a classicbabyface,[18] at one point being billed as "Young Nicky Bockwinkel, the old ladies' favorite".[155] In the second half of his career, he portrayed a "cocky, uppity Beverly Hills Californiaheel"[9] and a "pompous blowhard".[148] Phil Nowick described him as "a classic cheating heel who was seemingly unbeatable no matter how big of a pounding he took".[156]
Bockwinkel used a variety of finishing moves over his career, including apiledriver[7] and the "Oriental Sleeper" (asleeper hold).[100] His other signature moves included anarmlock,leglock, andshoulderbreaker.[157]
In 1967, Bockwinkel appeared in the episode "I Was a 99-Pound Weakling" of the television seriesThe Monkees. In 1969, he appeared in the episode "Savage Sunday" of the showHawaii Five-O.[4][7][10][64] In 1968, Bockwinkel appeared as a contestant on theNBCgame showHollywood Squares, winning aPontiac Firebird, a deluxe kitchen set, and $1,300 (equivalent to $12,000 in 2024) in cash.[4][7]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Monkees | 1967 | Shah-Ku Strong Man #1 | Television (episode: "I Was a 99-Pound Weakling") |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1969 | Harry | Television (episode: "Savage Sunday") |
| The Wrestler | 1974 | Himself | Film |
On June 22, 1957, Bockwinkel married Susan Tranchitella, with whom he had two daughters. The couple divorced in 1967.[13] Bockwinkel remarried in 1972 to Darlene Hampp, with the marriage lasting until his death.[16]
In November 2007, Bockwinkel underwenttriple bypassheart surgery.[158]
In 2007, Bockwinkel was elected President of theCauliflower Alley Club, a non-profitfraternal organization of professional wrestlers.[12][159] He stepped down in 2014 due to health issues, being replaced byB. Brian Blair.[160]
Bockwinkel died from undisclosed causes on the evening of November 14, 2015, at the age of 80. Prior to his death he had been suffering fromAlzheimer's disease.[161] He was survived by his wife Darlene, his two children from his first marriage, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His remains were cremated in Las Vegas and amemorialmass was held at St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, on November 21, 2015.[19][20][162]
The 300-plus-pound Montana came in as a last-minute substitution for soldier Nick Warren, who is confined to Fort Ord with a dose of poison oak. [...] Ed. note -- "Nick Warren" was the name Nick Bockwinkel used -- a variation of his and his father's name -- to keep Fort Ord authorities unaware of his moonlighting mat career.
Nick Bockwinkle [sic] and Tough Tony Borne collide in it, and the loser gets painted yellow by the winner.
..the Heenan Family, an ever-shifting stable of heels that began in the AWA with Bockwinkel, Stevens, Bobby Duncum, and Blackjack Lanza.
I did an exhibition match with Nick Bockwinkel. I was in no shape to do it, and neither was Nick, but we went over and did it on one of the big UWFi fight cards.
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