Hall of Famer Nick Bockwinkel passed away

[Rogue]

WWE is saddened to learn that Nick Bockwinkel, a WWE Hall of Famer and former four time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, has passed away at age 80.

Bockwinkel, known for his great in-ring skill and intelligent interviews, began his sports entertainment career in the mid-1950s after concluding his time on the University of Oklahoma football team. Bockwinkel was trained by his famous father, Warren Bockwinkel, and wrestling legend, Lou Thesz. Nick teamed with his father on many occassions, competing in Georgia, Texas and the Pacific Northwest before moving on to the where he would find the most success: the American Wrestling Association.

Bockwinkel was famously managed by WWE Hall of Famer Bobby "The Brain" Heenan during his AWA tenure, with the two drawing the ire of crowds everywhere. The self-proclaimed "Smartest Wrestler Alive" did it all during his time in AWA, with his crowning accomplishment coming when he defeated fellow WWE Hall of Famer and AWA legend Verne Gagne to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, ending Gagne's historic seven-year run with the title.

Bockwinkel would go on to accumulate many more accolades as his career went on. From his nationally televised rivalry with Larry Zbyszko on ESPN to guest starring on "Hawaii Five-O," the legend truly did it all. It was only fitting that his great career be capped off by his 2007 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, where he will forever be enshrined as one of sports entertainments' all-time greats.

WWE extends its condolences to Bockwinkel's family, friends and fans.

I didn't know much about him, but he's definitely in good company. R.I.P.
Share some moments/matches of Nick if you're more versed on him, to appreciate him.

 

[Prince Bálor]

2015 continues to be a bad year, in terms of WWE's wrestlers getting injured and Hall of Famers dying.

RIP, Nick!

 

[Roadster]

He was basically AWA's ace heel.

4 wrestling pioneers dead in a span of a year. Damn shame.

 

[WarMachine1]

Sad, sad news.

RIP Bock

 

[WarMachine1]

Bockwinkel was one of the greatest world champions in professional wrestling history and was without a doubt the cornerstone of the AWA. He came up as a 2nd generation star to his famous father Nick Bockwinkel and proceeded to carve out his own legacy in the business. With his slick hairdo and his athletic physique, he had few peers in terms of in ring ability. On the mic he was great with promos, certainly not unlike those of Dusty Rhodes, Thunderbolt Patterson, Billy Graham and Harley Race that made you think and he spoke in a way that he could be talking down to the entire crowd and they'd never know it. Whether he was in singles competition competing against the likes of The Crusher, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson, Curt Hennig, and Jerry "The King" Lawler, or whether he was in tag team competition with Ray "The Crippler" Stevens or teaming with the truly great Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, he always excelled and always drew money. He had a long and very successful career in the ring then had a nice career out of the ring as an agent for WWE and as the on screen commissioner of WCW. His impact on the business will be long felt and he will be sorely missed.

Maybe WWE should put some AWA on the Network so they can create a far greater tribute by educating many generations of fans on who Nick Bockwinkel was.

RIP

 

[Jacob Fox]

For those not familiar with this great wrestler, find some of his AWA work with "Pretty Boy" Bobby Heenan. The two made magic together for a long time. Bockwinkel was truly one of the great heels of all time.

 

[Stopspot]