To this day the Martel-Bockwinkel matches were the most athletic and technical Ive ever seen . Two underrated World champs , especially Bockwinkel - he was the G.O.A.T.
Bockwinkle always kept his cool.....classy.....I will never forget the classic Nick Bockwinkel vs Rick Martel Matches.....great skill, great great wrestlers, great matches!!!!!
@@jasonwilkins4864 you got technician in Bockwinkel and one move leg smash from Hogan. Bockwinkel is the real LEGEND here when it comes down to the sport
Nick Bockwinkel was a tremendous performer inside and outside the ring. He retired and moved to Lauderdale by the sea. He used to eat at a great sub place called LA Spadas. He ended up beating up a local who was acting inappropriately along with bullying one of the employees.
They gave the impression of desperation to Martel because of a heavy title defense schedule to add to the storyline to try to sell more tickets. Good call.
MrTatehead Don't know about other Cities in the AWA,but Bock turned face in the Winnipeg market near the end of his career. Guess they had to try something cause the WWF got into the Winnipeg market,basically putting the AWA into church basements.
@@Actionronnie Bockwinkel turned face all across the AWA. The face turn in the States began when he was doing commentary on a match between Greg Gagne and Larry Zybysko. At one point in the match Zybyzsko went outside the ring and grabbed his nunchucks and Bockwinkel tried to stop him. He not only hit Gagne, but Bockwinkel as well and after that he started getting cheered. Of course, that led to his series of matches with Stan Hansen and eventually his being awarded the title when Hansen walked out of McNichols Arena in Denver. Ironically, even though he had become a face in the AWA's main promotional areas, he pretty much would still work heel when wrestling in Memphis against Jerry Lawler.
Rick seemed to have picked up the arrogance that Nick Bockwinkle portrayed. When Rick went from face to heel in the then WWF, looking back in retrospect, it, in a way of speaking, was like looking at a type of mirror image of Nick Bockwinkle himself...only a 1,000,000 times worse! He turned on Tito Santana, and became "The Model" Rick Martel. He added something else to his repertoire:A spraypump device that pumped "Arrogance" at his victims.
Booking sure has changed. Martel complained that he just had a hard title defense and now only had 3 weeks to prepare himself to defend against Bockwinkle. If he was WWE or World Champion today, he might find out on the Raw after a PPV defense that he was defending the belt. "And your match is up next!"
The SWOLE Life Yes and no. Since this was only for the Winnipeg market,one could consider it a quick title defense. (AWA had to have a card every 30 days to keep exclusive rights to the Winnipeg Arena) Today its all about tv so they really can't use that type of angle,since a card might not come back now to the same place for years.
Disagree. Martel was a vanilla bland guy who couldn't draw until WWE allowed him to show his charisma. If AWA tapped into it a little he could have been great.
@@andrewbarbarash3116 You obviously weren't around back when Martel was AWA World Champion. He held the belt when it still meant something, and was incredibly over with the fans. AWA Martel is light years better than WWF Martel.
WWF always treated him as an elite wrestler. First of all you seem to forget that from 87 to 89, for a full 2 years, the WWF booked Martel as a babyface similar to the one he was in the AWA and they gave him the tag team titles with Santana. When he came back from his injury in 89 he needed a fresh start and he himself wanted to do something new, so they turned him heel and it was the best thing that ever happened to him. The fans loved to hate him and he was finally able to show his entertaining side. He had a lot of fun being a heel, he desperately needed it at the time, and that gimmick allowed him to stay in the WWF for a few more years. So I have absolutely no idea why 10 people upvoted your uneducated comment, ask Rick yourself and he'd tell you that the Model character was amazing and important in his career. Nothing silly about it.
That happened a lot, it was glare from the lighting off the silver on the belt. I've noticed that a lot when the belt was shot at certain angles. This was also 1984 cameras, but you're not seeing things, that was a thing that happened a lot.
Eric Walker Thanks for responding. After looking more closely, you are right. There are times when Martell's forearm and fingers go over the middle and isn't blurred.
Whiny my foot, Rick Martel was one of the AWA's longest reigning Champions without the company's known "Nepotism" that had they always mainly put people like Nick Bockwinkle and Verne Gagne as its title holders. Martel was a talented wrestler who got over with AWA fans because of his talent and ability. I'm sure Bockwinkle had his moments too, but he was sorely behind; Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Jerry Lawler in the deep southern states, in terms of drawing power as a major wrestling star.
MGSBigBoss77 In terms of drawing power Nick was in demand around the world. In five years ( 75 to 80), Nick battled Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson, Jumbo Tsuruta, Ray Stevens, Crusher, Dino Bravo, and Jim Brunzell. He was even invited to wrestle outside of the AWA in the NWA territories. He battled Rick Steamboat,Paul Orndorff, Terry Funk, Manny Fernandez and Bob Backland to name a few. I am not disrespecting Rick Martel’s AWA run. He had a good run. I’m just simply stating that a face shouldn’t whine about title offenses in a promo against a heel. I’ll give you this, that Nick was in collusion in 1981, 1982 and 1986 with Gagne and Wanz. Nick retired in 1987 he retired on top in great condition. Nick was asked in two different occasions by Jack Atkinson and Eddie Graham to be NWA world heavyweight champion. Nick politely refused because of the horrendous travel schedule. Nick could work different matches in opposition to Ric Flair and definitely work better matches than Hogan. Nepotism yes it was there from 81 on, but outside of that Nick was a hell of a champion for five years.
@@VolumedMusicMan Yep. In fact, Bockwinkel for years was often considered for the NWA belt. He was one of the greatest in ring technicians in the business and he was able to make an average wrestler look like a million bucks. Just look at his matches with Hogan. He even made Hogan look like a credible wrestler. However, he always refused that belt due to the non-stop travel schedule and Nick didn't want to be away from his family.
Metal Gear stupid. Maybe you should wash those old eyeballs and ears out and take a good look at what you can't comprehend. Nick was the cream of the crop. Hogan was just starting, Flair was a nutjob and Lawler had no appeal outside of his home.
Let’s be honest. Rick Martell didn’t deserve to be AWA champion. Yes he was a very good wrestler but listen to him talk. Yuck. But they lost so much talent they had no choice.
To this day the Martel-Bockwinkel matches were the most athletic and technical Ive ever seen . Two underrated World champs , especially Bockwinkel - he was the G.O.A.T.
Bockwinkle always kept his cool.....classy.....I will never forget the classic Nick Bockwinkel vs Rick Martel Matches.....great skill, great great wrestlers, great matches!!!!!
Nick Bockwinkel was the greatest champion ever
Preach. 💯
Bockwinkel,backlund and flair....elite
Nope Hulk Hogan mop the floor with both of them when he fought them
@@jasonwilkins4864 you got technician in Bockwinkel and one move leg smash from Hogan. Bockwinkel is the real LEGEND here when it comes down to the sport
@@dannycosta5540 in the AWA in Japan Hulk Hogan showed a lot of wrestling abilities. And anyway the leg drop was enough to beat buckwinkle wasn't it.
"I'm upset already, that's alright with me" what a line!
Martel should have been world champion in other promotions later in his career. Great look, great in the ring.
Two of the all-time greats. I'm off to check this matchup out; should be kick ass...
Beautiful belt
Nick Bockwinkel was a tremendous performer inside and outside the ring. He retired and moved to Lauderdale by the sea. He used to eat at a great sub place called LA Spadas. He ended up beating up a local who was acting inappropriately along with bullying one of the employees.
Uh sorry....I live in Pompano and you have your champs confused....it was Buddy Rogers that beat the punk up....google it!
Robert you basic bithc quit making things up
Good to see the Model in action. Credit where it’s due, good interview by Ken Resnick, who pulled no punches.
He was not "The Model" here. He was Rick Martel. "The Model" was one of McMahons idiotic creations.
Liked Resnick
RIP Nick
They gave the impression of desperation to Martel because of a heavy title defense schedule to add to the storyline to try to sell more tickets. Good call.
They were almost 20 years apart - Pops.
LOVE Nick's jacket
Nick Bockwinkel always was cool, calm and collected....makes you wonder why the awa made him a heal
MrTatehead Don't know about other Cities in the AWA,but Bock turned face in the Winnipeg market near the end of his career. Guess they had to try something cause the WWF got into the Winnipeg market,basically putting the AWA into church basements.
@@Actionronnie Bockwinkel turned face all across the AWA. The face turn in the States began when he was doing commentary on a match between Greg Gagne and Larry Zybysko. At one point in the match Zybyzsko went outside the ring and grabbed his nunchucks and Bockwinkel tried to stop him. He not only hit Gagne, but Bockwinkel as well and after that he started getting cheered. Of course, that led to his series of matches with Stan Hansen and eventually his being awarded the title when Hansen walked out of McNichols Arena in Denver.
Ironically, even though he had become a face in the AWA's main promotional areas, he pretty much would still work heel when wrestling in Memphis against Jerry Lawler.
Why did they blur out the belt. The words 'AWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion is being hidden.
I think that was just the design of that belt.
Bockwinkle, the heel, sounds confident and collected
Martel, the face, sounds snivelling and whiny
That's because Nick got into his head. It's what he does. RIP Champ, we still love you down here.
Whats up with belt? Looks like it's blurred out???
"I only have three weeks to prepare"? Boo hoo, Martel. Man up. Defend the damn turkey platter championship.
Never make your baby face a whinner! That's for the heels. I guess the seeds were planted for "the model"!
Rick seemed to have picked up the arrogance that Nick Bockwinkle portrayed. When Rick went from face to heel in the then WWF, looking back in retrospect, it, in a way of speaking, was like looking at a type of mirror image of Nick Bockwinkle himself...only a 1,000,000 times worse! He turned on Tito Santana, and became "The Model" Rick Martel. He added something else to his repertoire:A spraypump device that pumped "Arrogance" at his victims.
The model was awesome
Bockwinkel anf Verne held the AWA together in the 70s and 80s,,the Flair of the AWA, Martel is the good guy like bob backlund here,,
Booking sure has changed. Martel complained that he just had a hard title defense and now only had 3 weeks to prepare himself to defend against Bockwinkle. If he was WWE or World Champion today, he might find out on the Raw after a PPV defense that he was defending the belt. "And your match is up next!"
The SWOLE Life Yes and no. Since this was only for the Winnipeg market,one could consider it a quick title defense. (AWA had to have a card every 30 days to keep exclusive rights to the Winnipeg Arena) Today its all about tv so they really can't use that type of angle,since a card might not come back now to the same place for years.
Rick martel sounds like he's winning
Martel sounds like a whiny heel and bonkwinkle sounds a determined face lol
because its more chilling and scary that way insteard of the screaming at the top of youre lungs
WWE turned Martel into a silly character, he was an elite wrestler
Disagree. Martel was a vanilla bland guy who couldn't draw until WWE allowed him to show his charisma. If AWA tapped into it a little he could have been great.
@@andrewbarbarash3116 You obviously weren't around back when Martel was AWA World Champion. He held the belt when it still meant something, and was incredibly over with the fans. AWA Martel is light years better than WWF Martel.
WWF always treated him as an elite wrestler. First of all you seem to forget that from 87 to 89, for a full 2 years, the WWF booked Martel as a babyface similar to the one he was in the AWA and they gave him the tag team titles with Santana. When he came back from his injury in 89 he needed a fresh start and he himself wanted to do something new, so they turned him heel and it was the best thing that ever happened to him. The fans loved to hate him and he was finally able to show his entertaining side. He had a lot of fun being a heel, he desperately needed it at the time, and that gimmick allowed him to stay in the WWF for a few more years. So I have absolutely no idea why 10 people upvoted your uneducated comment, ask Rick yourself and he'd tell you that the Model character was amazing and important in his career. Nothing silly about it.
@@andrewbarbarash3116none of what you said has anything to do with his technical ability. Popularity does not equal wrestling ability.
true dat...think Jake the Snake Roberts
Why is the belt blanked out?
Better than wwe garbage today
Why is the middle of the belt blurred?
That happened a lot, it was glare from the lighting off the silver on the belt. I've noticed that a lot when the belt was shot at certain angles. This was also 1984 cameras, but you're not seeing things, that was a thing that happened a lot.
Eric Walker Thanks for responding. After looking more closely, you are right. There are times when Martell's forearm and fingers go over the middle and isn't blurred.
When Hogan left after 83 they want to make Martell the top guy. While Martell was a great wrestler and a good Champion but he was no Hogan.
Yeah he's a good guy who isn't a racist Nazi.
Nick Bockwinkle is brothers with Bullwinkle 😅
damn sumthin misd oh yeah bobby went to new york nick should had went too
He did as a announcer a few years later
Whiny my foot, Rick Martel was one of the AWA's longest reigning Champions without the company's known "Nepotism" that had they always mainly put people like Nick Bockwinkle and Verne Gagne as its title holders. Martel was a talented wrestler who got over with AWA fans because of his talent and ability. I'm sure Bockwinkle had his moments too, but he was sorely behind; Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Jerry Lawler in the deep southern states, in terms of drawing power as a major wrestling star.
MGSBigBoss77 In terms of drawing power Nick was in demand around the world. In five years ( 75 to 80), Nick battled Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson, Jumbo Tsuruta, Ray Stevens, Crusher, Dino Bravo, and Jim Brunzell. He was even invited to wrestle outside of the AWA in the NWA territories. He battled Rick Steamboat,Paul Orndorff, Terry Funk, Manny Fernandez and Bob Backland to name a few. I am not disrespecting Rick Martel’s AWA run. He had a good run. I’m just simply stating that a face shouldn’t whine about title offenses in a promo against a heel. I’ll give you this, that Nick was in collusion in 1981, 1982 and 1986 with Gagne and Wanz. Nick retired in 1987 he retired on top in great condition. Nick was asked in two different occasions by Jack Atkinson and Eddie Graham to be NWA world heavyweight champion. Nick politely refused because of the horrendous travel schedule. Nick could work different matches in opposition to Ric Flair and definitely work better matches than Hogan. Nepotism yes it was there from 81 on, but outside of that Nick was a hell of a champion for five years.
@@VolumedMusicMan Yep. In fact, Bockwinkel for years was often considered for the NWA belt. He was one of the greatest in ring technicians in the business and he was able to make an average wrestler look like a million bucks. Just look at his matches with Hogan. He even made Hogan look like a credible wrestler. However, he always refused that belt due to the non-stop travel schedule and Nick didn't want to be away from his family.
Metal Gear stupid. Maybe you should wash those old eyeballs and ears out and take a good look at what you can't comprehend. Nick was the cream of the crop. Hogan was just starting, Flair was a nutjob and Lawler had no appeal outside of his home.
Let’s be honest. Rick Martell didn’t deserve to be AWA champion. Yes he was a very good wrestler but listen to him talk. Yuck. But they lost so much talent they had no choice.
His mike skills are awful.
Nick bockwickel had class