Nick Bockwinkel

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"Nick Bock" redirects here. For the Russian priest, see Nicholas Bock.
Nick Bockwinkel
Bockwinkel in 1982.
Birth nameNicholas Warren Francis Bockwinkel
Born(1934-12-06)December 6, 1934[1]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.[1]
DiedNovember 14, 2015(2015-11-14) (aged 80)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Spouse(s)
Susan Tranchitella
​
​
(m. 1957; div. 1967)​
[2][3][4]
Darlene Bockwinkel, née Hampp
​
​
(m. 1972)​
St. Paul, Minnesota[9][12]
Trained byWarren Bockwinkel[9][15]
Lou Thesz[9][15]
Debut1954[6][16]
RetiredMay 25, 1993
Military service
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1958–1960
Nick Bockwinkel
5th President of the Cauliflower Alley Club
In office
2007–2014
Preceded byRed Bastien
Succeeded byB. Brian Blair

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 had a lengthy professional wrestling career with matches in 34 consecutive years.

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 three times, 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

World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2007, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009, and the National Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame
in 2016.

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.[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 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.[10] Bockwinkel was a star fullback in high school, winning an "outstanding player" trophy in 1953.[23] 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.[7][22][25][26] Bockwinkel subsequently transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles—studying marketing—where at the suggestion of his father he began wrestling to fund his studies.[10][16][20] 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.[11]

Professional wrestling career

Training

Bockwinkel was trained to wrestle by his father

Lord Blears, and Wilbur Snyder.[10] 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."[23][26][27]

Early career (1954–1961)

Bockwinkel debuted in 1954 in

NWA International Television Championship.[11][29][30]

From June to September 1956, during his summer break from UCLA, Bockwinkel made a foray into the

Southwest Sports.[11][32]

In early 1958, upon being drafted into the United States Army, Bockwinkel relocated to

Mike 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 in Indiana with NWA Indianapolis and the American Wrestling Alliance, where he was billed as "Nick Bock".[8][11][37][38]

Bockwinkel left the Army in 1960. Throughout mid-1960, he wrestled for

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.[39][40]

Texas and Canada (1961–1962)

In May 1961, Bockwinkel left California for Texas, where he began wrestling for

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.[40]

In November 1961, Bockwinkel began wrestling in Canada for the Regina, Saskatchewan-based Big Time Wrestling promotion. He occasionally teamed with George Scott, while 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.[42]

Hawaii and California (1962–1963)

In early-1962, Bockwinkel began wrestling in Hawaii for the

Tosh Togo. Bockwinkel left 50th State Big Time Wrestling in August 1962.[41][43]

Bockwinkel returned to California in September 1962, joining Roy Shire's

Dan Manoukian and Ciclón Negro and Ray Stevens and The 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 to

two out of three falls match.[43] During his run, Bockwinkel teamed with Lord James Blears and briefly feuded with Dick the Bruiser.[46] Bockwinkel subsequently left Hawaii once again, relocating to the Pacific Northwest to wrestle for Pacific Northwest Wrestling.[46][47]

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1963–1964)

In late-1963, Bockwinkel left Hawaii upon being recruited by

Pat Patterson and Tony Borne.[46][48][52] Bockwinkel left Pacific Northwest Wrestling the following month.[53]

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.

Harold Fujiwara, and Hard 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 renamed

Worldwide Wrestling Associates (WWA). His opponents included Luke Graham, Pedro Morales, El Mongol, and Gorilla 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 the

Toru Tanaka, Waldo Von Erich, and Larry 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 challenged

two-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 included

Rudy LaBelle.[53][58]

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.[53][59] During his time in California, he appeared in an episode of the television series The Monkees.[15] 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]

Texas and Hawaii (1968–1969)

In March 1968, Bockwinkel began competing for the

two-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 with Bobby Shane.[62] In December 1968, he held the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship for a second time.[55] 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.[14][63] During this stint in Hawaii, Bockwinkel was cast in an episode of the television program Hawaii Five-O.[64]

Georgia Championship Wrestling (1969–1970)

Bockwinkel in 1970 wearing the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship.

In November 1969, Bockwinkel began wrestling for the

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory 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 defeated

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.[65][67]

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.[65][68][69] Following his loss to Colt, Bockwinkel left Georgia, briefly returning to Hawaii once more before joining the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based American 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".[14]

American Wrestling Association (1970–1987)

Tag Team Champion reigns (1970–1975)

Bockwinkel (bottom) following a bout with Buddy Colt in 1973.

In December 1970, Bockwinkel began wrestling for the

AWA World Heavyweight Champion Verne Gagne.[71][72]

In August 1971, Bockwinkel began teaming with

The Vachon Brothers, and Billy Robinson and Wahoo McDaniel.[13][75] During 1972, Bockwinkel and Stevens also competed in Championship Wrestling from Florida - where they briefly held the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship[76] - and several other promotions.[13][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.

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 with Greg Gagne as special guest referee.[74][78][80][81] 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.[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.

Bobby Duncum allying with Bockwinkel in November 1975.[86]

First reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1975–1980)

See also: Heenan Family
Bockwinkel (left) with his manager Bobby Heenan in 1979; Heenan holds Bockwinkel's AWA World Heavyweight Championship.

In 1975, AWA co-founder and World 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 the St. Paul Civic Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, ending Gagne's seven-year reign.[9][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,

Chicago, 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 by

turn face 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, and Terry Funk.[92] 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.[93][94]

Bockwinkel began 1979 by successfully defending his title against challengers from around the world such as

NWA World Television Champion Ricky 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 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 (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, 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.[87][98][99]

Second reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1981–1982)

Bockwinkel (left) wrestling Hulk Hogan in 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.[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 the

Pat Patterson, Baron von Raschke, and Adnan Al-Kaissie. 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.[101][104][105] In December 1981, he appeared in Bremen, Germany with the Catch Wrestling Association, defending the AWA World Heavyweight Championship against Austrian wrestler Otto 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 with

Chicago, 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, 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.[87][108] The loss - regarded as a major upset - reportedly came about after Wanz offered Verne Gagne $50,000 (equivalent to $158,000 in 2023) in return for a run as AWA World Heavyweight Champion,[91][107] enabling him to bill himself as a former world champion.[111]

Third reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1982–1984)

Bockwinkel, c. 1982

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.

"title versus hair" match.[108][112] 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.[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, and

Grand Champion Carnival III" tour, facing opponents such as Genichiro Tenryu and Jumbo Tsuruta.[121]

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

NWA 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 owner Giant Baba paid Verne Gagne a "sizeable sum of money" for Tsuruta to have a short reign as AWA World Heavyweight Champion.[125]

Tag team with Mr. Saito; feud with Larry Zbyszko (1984–1986)

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

The 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 with Harley Race as his partner.[122]

Bockwinkel and Saito continued to team in early 1985, facing teams such as Curt Hennig and

six-man tag team match, teaming with Stevens and Zbyszko in a loss to Curt Hennig, Greg Gagne, and Scott Hall. In November and December 1985, Bockwinkel once again participated in the All Japan Pro Wrestling World's Strongest Tag Determination League, teaming with Curt Hennig.[127]

On the December 3, 1985, episode of AWA on ESPN, Zbyszko faced Greg Gagne with Bockwinkel on

steel cage matches.[12][130]

Final reign as World Heavyweight Champion (1986–1987)

In April 1986, Bockwinkel began challenging AWA World Heavyweight Champion

no-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 as

San Francisco, California.[23][87][133][134] The match ended in controversial fashion due to interference by Larry Zbyszko, who handed a roll 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 Federation

NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz prevailing. Bockwinkel subsequently retired from professional wrestling, marking the end of a career that spanned four decades.[134]

Post retirement (1987–2015)

With the American Wrestling Association declining, in 1987 Bockwinkel approached the World Wrestling Federation and was hired as a

road agent.[7][1] 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.[12][8] In December 1987, he served as special guest referee for a bout between Randy Savage and The Honky Tonk Man.[82] He was released in 1989 due to budget cuts, after which he began working in financial services.[1]

Bockwinkel made a return to the ring for one night in December 1990, facing

Slamboree 1993: A Legends' Reunion (which featured multiple veteran wrestlers), going to a time limit draw with former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr.[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 of WCW Monday Nitro when WCW attorney Nick Lambrose stripped The Giant of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He was released by WCW in December 1995.[9][142]

In 2000, Bockwinkel and Yoshiaki Fujiwara served as commissioners for a short-lived "shoot-style" promotion, the Japan Pro Wrestling Association.[7]

On March 29, 2010, Bockwinkel made a guest appearance on

Christian and Ted Dibiase.[143]

Legacy

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

NWA 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 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."[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 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."[148]

Bockwinkel was inducted into the

lifetime achievement award).[153] In 2009, the Cauliflower Alley Club gave Bockwinkel its Iron Mike Mazurki Award.[154]

Professional wrestling style and persona

For the first half of his career, Bockwinkel was a classic babyface,[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 California heel"[14] 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 a

shoulderbreaker.[157]

Other television appearances

In 1967, Bockwinkel appeared in the episode "

Savage Sunday" of the show Hawaii Five-O.[9][12][15][64] In 1968, Bockwinkel appeared as a contestant on the NBC game show Hollywood Squares, winning a Pontiac Firebird, a deluxe kitchen set, and $1,300 (equivalent to $11,000 in 2023) in cash.[9][12]

Filmography
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

Personal life

On June 22, 1957, Bockwinkel married Susan Tranchitella, with whom he had two daughters. The couple divorced in 1967.[2] Bockwinkel remarried in 1972 to Darlene Hampp, with the marriage lasting until his death.[5]

In November 2007, Bockwinkel underwent triple bypass heart surgery.[158]

In 2007, Bockwinkel was elected President of the

fraternal organization of professional wrestlers.[1][159] He stepped down in 2014 due to health issues, being replaced by B. Brian Blair.[160]

Death

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 from memory loss. 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 a

mass was held at St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, on November 21, 2015.[19][20][161]

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

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-1-55490-284-2
    .
  2. ^ a b "California, County Marriages, 1850–1952 Transcription: Nicholas Warren Bockwinkel". Findmypast. Retrieved November 16, 2015.(subscription required)
  3. ^ "California Marriage Index 1949–1959". Ancestry.com.
  4. ^ "California Divorce Index 1966–1984". Ancestry.com.
  5. ^ a b "Minnesota, Marriage Index, 1958-2001". Ancestry.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.(subscription required)
  6. ^ a b c d Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Nick Bockwinkel". Cagematch.net. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8108-7926-3
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  8. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4766-3427-2
    .
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Nick Bockwinkel". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d Zordani, Jim. "Regional Territories: AWA [1934 to 1955]". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Zordani, Jim. "Regional Territories: AWA [1955 to 1960]". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  12. ^
    ISBN 978-0-241-48805-8
    .
  13. ^ a b c Zordani, Jim. "Regional Territories: AWA [1972]". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e Zordani, Jim. "Regional Territories: AWA [1968 to 1970]". KayfabeMemories.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
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    ISBN 978-0-87020-926-0
    .
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    ISBN 978-1-77305-687-6
    .
  17. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Nick Bockwinkel - career". Cagematch.net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  18. ^
    ISBN 978-1-59670-159-5
    .
  19. ^ a b c Meltzer, Dave (March 29, 2010). "All-time great Nick Bockwinkel passes away". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Steve (November 15, 2015). "Class personified: Nick Bockwinkel dies". SlamWrestling.net. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Scherer, Dave (November 11, 2015). "Legendary AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel Passes Away". PWInsider.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  22. ^ a b "WWE Hall of Famer Nick Bockwinkel passes away". WWE.com. WWE. November 15, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  23. ^
    ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4
    .
  24. ISBN 978-0-275-98401-4
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  25. ^ "Wrestling great Nick Bockwinkel dead at the age of 80". Fox Sports. November 15, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  26. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4408-5351-7
    .
  27. ^ a b c Matysik, Larry (2013). "Nick Bockwinkel". 50 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time: The Definitive Shoot. ECW Press.
  28. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Nick Bockwinkel - matches - 1954". Cagematch.net. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  29. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Nick Bockwinkel - matches - 1955". Cagematch.net. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
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  117. ISBN 978-1-64125-220-1
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  118. ISBN 978-0-7434-7556-3
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  119. ISBN 978-0-313-35482-3
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  120. ISBN 978-1-101-60974-3
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  140. ISBN 978-1-77090-215-2
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  157. ISBN 978-0-517-64466-9
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  158. ^ Durham, Andy (November 12, 2007). "Booker T puts the "T" back in TNA, Nick Bockwinkel hits a triple". Greensboro Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
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External links

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