No Joy in Memphis: Bockwinkel Retains Southern Title, Challenges Flair

As discussed recently on the KFRPod, an NWA World title match between Ric Flair and Jerry Lawler seemed like a natural big-money bout after the tremendous TV angle shot in the WMC-TV 5 studio in August 1982. Instead, promoter Jerry Jarrett decided to go with AWA kingpin as Nick was better-suited for Memphis and had a much greater chemistry with the King. This promo effectively writes Flair out of the script, so to speak, with a brilliant delivery by the AWA World & Southern champion.

[@atheistasylum]

“I acquiesce to no one but myself.” Now that’s some high class talking.

[@richardbishop8666]

Nick Bockwinkle was the greatest heel in history. He was the epitome of the arrogant heel and did not have to raise his voice he just let you know that he was better than you and it made you hate his guts. We will never see anyone like him again.

[@contour157]

The AWA/NWA match taking place in Memphis would've drawn 20,000

[@MisterBeauJanGels]

Sputnik Monroe and Billy Wicks was a hot enough feud to warrant a stadium show, possibly multiple stadium shows. Neither Gulas nor Jarrett ran any stadium shows during the heyday of either Jackie Fargo or Jerry Lawler. Running every week in buildings of that size (both Ellis Auditorium and MSC) probably meant that they had a really good deal they didn't wish to jeopardize by running an occasional show elsewhere.

[@iggyb63]

Nick didn't need to raise his voice. His vocabulary told the story that made you tune into what he was saying because his choice of words already had your attention. You just went along for ride until he finished talking. I miss that about old school rasslin.

[@BourgeoisBuffoon]

He used the word 'acquiesce', for f's sake.

[@davidporfirio18]

He was my English Professor. I learned more vocabulary from Mr. Bockwinkel than I ever did in school

[@alanwhite8266]

Nick was in a Class by Himself. Amazing Believable Real Professional Wrestler.

[@fttime9746]

Jimmy hart or is that carlito 😁

[@ThePasterio]

Nick wss way smarter than Lawler in and out of the ring. Bockwinkle wasnt fool enough to face Flair in Memphis because of the for sure interfearance from Lawler. Nick took Lawler out of the equation. Lol

[@davidporfirio18]

I know they met in Winnipeg but did Flair and Bockwinkel meet anytime before that ?

[@stevenjoyal6565]

Probably, since Flair actually trained with Gagne in the Twin Cities.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

No the only worked together once . Had a match in Winnipeg

[@bigmike2464]

Flair has admitted to gleaning much of his persona from Nick. Between Nick and Buddy ROgers, Flair got his persona. Nick was already established when FLair started training with verne

[@bobbyhulll8737]

In hindsight they should have unified the belts and stood up to McMahon and WWF before it was too late

[@royce1041]

Nick was always a better dresser than Flair

[@MisterJackson-so9lo]

Jimmy Hart looked like a white version of Morris Day.😂😂😂😂

[@CatsClaw44]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@reggiejohnson1201]

Bockwinkel and flair were equally match!

[@laksivrak2203]

No not at all

[@anthonyware7116]

@@laksivrak2203
Nick Bockwinkel better wrestler.

[@laksivrak2203]

@@anthonyware7116 yea I agree

[@curthennig9448]

@@anthonyware7116 Much better.

[@rolltide9547]

Name me better matches he had than Flair?