107 Facts About Nick Bockwinkel

1.

Nicholas Warren Francis "Nick" Bockwinkel was an American professional wrestler.

2.

Nick Bockwinkel is best known for his appearances with the American Wrestling Association in the 1970s and 1980s.

3.

Swiftly rising to prominence as a main event heel, Nick Bockwinkel held the AWA World Tag Team Championship three times then the AWA World Heavyweight Championship four times before retiring in 1987.

4.

Nick Bockwinkel was recognized for his exceptional technical wrestling ability, mastery of in-ring psychology, and even-toned, articulate promos.

5.

Nick Bockwinkel's parents divorced when he was aged five and he lived with his grandmother until he was 12, then attended a boarding school in Indiana for two years before returning to live with his father.

6.

Nick Bockwinkel was a star fullback in high school, winning an "outstanding player" trophy in 1953.

7.

Nick Bockwinkel 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.

8.

Nick Bockwinkel was trained to wrestle by his father Warren, a regional star in the 1940s, and Lou Thesz.

9.

Nick Bockwinkel received additional training from Gene Kiniski, Lord Blears, and Wilbur Snyder.

10.

Nick Bockwinkel 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 sometimes billed as "Nicky Bockwinkel".

11.

From June to September 1956, during his summer break from UCLA, Nick Bockwinkel made a foray into the Midwestern United States, performing in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and St Louis.

12.

In early 1958, upon being drafted into the United States Army, Nick Bockwinkel relocated to Northern California.

13.

In June and July 1959, Nick Bockwinkel reappeared with the North American Wrestling Alliance.

14.

In late-1960, Nick 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 Edouard Carpentier.

15.

In May 1961, Nick Bockwinkel left California for Texas, where he began wrestling for Southwest Sports as an "All American babyface".

16.

Nick Bockwinkel left Texas in September 1961, wrestling a handful of matches for NWA Upstate in Buffalo, New York before relocating to Canada.

17.

In November 1961, Nick Bockwinkel began wrestling in Canada for the Regina, Saskatchewan-based Big Time Wrestling promotion.

18.

Nick Bockwinkel occasionally teamed with George Scott, while his regular opponents included Dave Ruhl, Tiny Mills, and Killer Kowalski.

19.

In early-1962, Nick Bockwinkel began wrestling in Hawaii for the Honolulu-based 50th State Big Time Wrestling promotion, where he was named the inaugural NWA United States Heavyweight Champion on arrival.

20.

Nick Bockwinkel held the title until June 1962, when he lost it to King Curtis Iaukea.

21.

Nick Bockwinkel left 50th State Big Time Wrestling in August 1962.

22.

Nick Bockwinkel returned to California in September 1962, joining Roy Shire's American Wrestling Alliance, which had succeeded NWA San Francisco.

23.

Nick Bockwinkel formed an "All American babyface" tag team with Wilbur Snyder, and the duo were pushed by Shire as his top babyface tag team.

24.

Nick Bockwinkel subsequently left Hawaii , relocating to the Pacific Northwest to wrestle for Pacific Northwest Wrestling.

25.

In late-1963, Nick Bockwinkel left Hawaii upon being recruited by Don Owen to join his Portland, Oregon-based Pacific Northwest Wrestling promotion.

26.

Nick Bockwinkel quickly began a feud with NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion Tony Borne.

27.

Later that month, Nick Bockwinkel defeated Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship - his first major singles title.

28.

Nick Bockwinkel lost the title to Mad Dog Vachon in November 1963.

29.

Nick Bockwinkel returned to Hawaii in September 1964, reforging his alliance with Lord James Blears and resuming his feud with King Curtis Iaukea.

30.

In November 1964, Nick Bockwinkel won the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship, defeating Johnny Barend.

31.

Nick Bockwinkel's reign lasted until December 1964, when he lost the title to Iaukea.

32.

In September 1965, Nick Bockwinkel returned to the Los Angeles, California-based North American Wrestling Alliance, since renamed Worldwide Wrestling Associates.

33.

Nick Bockwinkel's opponents included Luke Graham, Pedro Morales, El Mongol, and Gorilla Monsoon.

34.

Nick Bockwinkel left WWA in January 1966, briefly returning to 50th State Big Time Wrestling in Hawaii before leaving for a tour of Australia.

35.

From March 1966 to June 1966, Nick Bockwinkel wrestled in Australia with the World Championship Wrestling promotion.

36.

In November 1966, Nick Bockwinkel returned to Worldwide Wrestling Associates, where he wrestled until January 1967.

37.

Nick Bockwinkel made a second tour of Australia with World Championship Wrestling from January to March 1967.

38.

Nick Bockwinkel left WWA once more in October 1967, returning to Hawaii once more until early 1968 before moving to Texas in March 1968.

39.

In March 1968, Nick Bockwinkel began competing for the West Texas-based Western States Sports promotion, where he was cast as a babyface.

40.

Shortly after debuting, Nick Bockwinkel formed a tag team with Ricky Romero, with the duo feuding with the Von Brauners.

41.

In September 1968, Nick Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski in two two-out-of-three falls matches.

42.

Nick Bockwinkel continued to compete in 50th State Big Time Wrestling until leaving in November 1969 to join Georgia Championship Wrestling.

43.

In November 1969, Nick Bockwinkel began wrestling for the Atlanta, Georgia-based Georgia Championship Wrestling promotion.

44.

In January 1970, Nick Bockwinkel unsuccessfully challenged visiting NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.

45.

In January 1970, Nick Bockwinkel defeated Joe Scarpa for the NWA Georgia Television Championship.

46.

Nick Bockwinkel 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.

47.

Nick Bockwinkel held the title until July 1970, when he lost to Paul DeMarco.

48.

Nick Bockwinkel regained the title from DeMarco later that month, with his second reign lasting until September 1970 when he lost to Buddy Colt.

49.

In December 1970, Nick Bockwinkel began wrestling for the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association.

50.

Nick Bockwinkel sustained his first defeat in September 1971 when he unsuccessfully challenged AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne.

51.

The tag team was formed when Nick Bockwinkel interfered in a bout between Stevens and Red Bastien.

52.

Nick Bockwinkel went on to defeat Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 8,1975 at the age of 40 in the St Paul Civic Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, ending Gagne's seven-year reign.

53.

Nick Bockwinkel teamed with Heenan and Bobby Duncum to face the High Flyers and various partners in a series of six-man tag team matches.

54.

An incensed Stevens knocked down Heenan and Nick Bockwinkel and shattered Heenan's trophy before being beaten down by the Heenan Family.

55.

In 1977, Nick 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.

56.

Nick Bockwinkel began 1979 by successfully defending his title against challengers from around the world such as Dino Bravo, Jumbo Tsuruta, and Tiger Jeet Singh.

57.

In March 1979, Nick 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.

58.

In September 1979, Nick Bockwinkel returned to Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where he faced NWA World Television Champion Ricky Steamboat in a title versus title match that ended in a disqualification.

59.

In October 1979, Nick 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 Nick Bockwinkel being disqualified.

60.

Nick Bockwinkel began 1980 with defences against opponents such as The Crusher, Mad Dog Vachon, Kintaro Ohki, Wahoo McDaniel, and Scott Casey.

61.

In November and December 1980, Nick Bockwinkel toured Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling; he competed in the World's Strongest Tag Determination League alongside Jim Brunzell, placing fourth.

62.

Nick Bockwinkel 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.

63.

In January 1982, Nick Bockwinkel made another tour of Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "New Year Giant Series".

64.

Back in the AWA, Nick Bockwinkel began feuding with Hulk Hogan, who Verne Gagne had signed after Hogan left the World Wrestling Federation.

65.

Nick 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.

66.

Two days later, Nick Bockwinkel appeared with the Continental Wrestling Association in Memphis, Tennessee, where he defeated Jerry Lawler to win the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship.

67.

Nick Bockwinkel spent the next month as a dual champion before losing the title back to Lawler in a no disqualification "title versus hair" match.

68.

Nick Bockwinkel closed out 1982 with successful defences of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against challengers such as Rick Martel, Mike Graham, Tito Santana, Jim Brunzell, and Baron von Raschke.

69.

In July 1983, Nick Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "Grand Champion Carnival III" tour, facing opponents such as Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta.

70.

Nick Bockwinkel began 1984 with defences against challengers such as Dino Bravo, Jerry Lawler, and Brad Rheingans.

71.

Nick Bockwinkel 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 faced Lanza and his new partner Blackjack Mulligan in a series of tag team matches.

72.

In February 1984, Nick Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling as part of its "Excite Series" tour; on February 23 in the Kuramae Kokugikan in Tokyo, Nick Bockwinkel faced NWA International Heavyweight Champion Jumbo Tsuruta in a title versus title match with Terry Funk as the guest referee.

73.

In spring 1984, Nick Bockwinkel unsuccessfully attempted to regain the AWA World Heavyweight Championship from Jumbo Tsuruta in a series of bouts.

74.

In July 1984, Nick Bockwinkel formed a tag team with Mr Saito and began a lengthy feud with The Fabulous Ones that lasted to the end of the year.

75.

In December 1984, Nick Bockwinkel returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling, participating in that year's World's Strongest Tag Determination League with Harley Race as his partner.

76.

That same month, Nick Bockwinkel reformed his tag team with Ray Stevens.

77.

At the inaugural SuperClash supercard event on September 28,1985 in Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois - which was attended by over 20,000 people - Nick Bockwinkel competed on the undercard in a six-man tag team match, teaming with Stevens and Zbyszko in a loss to Curt Hennig, Greg Gagne, and Scott Hall.

78.

In November and December 1985, Nick Bockwinkel participated in the All Japan Pro Wrestling World's Strongest Tag Determination League, teaming with Curt Hennig.

79.

In January 1986, Nick Bockwinkel challenged NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair at the Winnipeg Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba; the bout ended in a double count out.

80.

Nick Bockwinkel faced Zbyszko in a series of increasingly violent matches throughout early 1986, including Texas death matches and steel cage matches.

81.

At that month's WrestleRock 86 supercard event in the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bockwinkel defeated Hansen by disqualification.

82.

Verne Gagne had reportedly originally intended to reverse the decision and return the title to Nick 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.

83.

Nick Bockwinkel wrestled his final match for the AWA on August 2,1987, unsuccessfully challenging Curt Hennig.

84.

Nick Bockwinkel subsequently retired from professional wrestling, marking the end of a career that spanned four decades.

85.

Nick Bockwinkel 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.

86.

Nick Bockwinkel was released in 1989 due to budget cuts, after which he began working in financial services.

87.

Nick 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 the Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan.

88.

Nick Bockwinkel made a second return in May 1992, wrestling Billy Robinson to a time limit draw in a exhibition match for UWF International held in the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

89.

Nick Bockwinkel wrestled his last ever match on May 23,1993 for World Championship Wrestling at the pay-per-view Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion, going to a time limit draw with former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.

90.

In 1994, Nick Bockwinkel became the on-screen commissioner of World Championship Wrestling.

91.

Nick Bockwinkel's 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 Championship.

92.

On March 29,2010, Nick Bockwinkel made a guest appearance on WWE Raw, where he was one of several "legends" at ringside for a lumberjack match between Christian and Ted Dibiase.

93.

Nick Bockwinkel was known for his technical wrestling ability and in-ring psychology.

94.

Nick Bockwinkel was a terrific representative for the AWA and was the key player in the success of the AWA for a long time.

95.

Richard Berger described Nick 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".

96.

Nick Bockwinkel was known for his calm, charismatic, articulate promos, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

97.

Nick Bockwinkel wore suits for all his interviews and used ten-dollar words that went over the average fans' heads, pissing them off markedly.

98.

Nick Bockwinkel used a variety of finishing moves over his career, including a piledriver and the "Oriental Sleeper".

99.

In 1967, Nick Bockwinkel appeared in the episode "I Was a 99-Pound Weakling" of the television series The Monkees.

100.

In 1968, Nick Bockwinkel appeared as a contestant on the NBC game show Hollywood Squares, winning a Pontiac Firebird, a deluxe kitchen set, and $1,300 in cash.

101.

On June 22,1957, Nick Bockwinkel married Susan Tranchitella, with whom he had two daughters.

102.

Nick Bockwinkel remarried in 1972 to Darlene Hampp, with the marriage lasting until his death.

103.

In 2007, Nick Bockwinkel was elected President of the Cauliflower Alley Club, a non-profit fraternal organization of professional wrestlers.

104.

Nick Bockwinkel stepped down in 2014 due to health issues, being replaced by B Brian Blair.

105.

Nick Bockwinkel died from undisclosed causes on the evening of November 14,2015 at the age of 80.

106.

Nick Bockwinkel was survived by his wife Darlene, his two children from his first marriage, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

107.

Nick Bockwinkel's 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.