Saw him in a one hour Broadway match vs Tony Atlas, 2/3 falls in the Sam Houston Coliseum in 1981, I was 10, seated at ring side, he was 46...Great match as I remember...
This guy is so incredibly under appreciated. He was fantastic in the ring, superb on the mic, and truly professional in his approach to the business. I very truly, sincerely mean it when I say that today's 20 or 30-something wrestling fan has truly missed out if they have not had the opportunity to watch Bockwinkle, Ray Stevens and Bobby Heenan! Incredible talents individually, ABSOLUTELY LEGENDARY together.
If you didn't see Bockwinkle, Stevens and Heenan in the AWA 70s, then you really missed some serious pro wrestling history. Those guys were GOLD. Absolute top level, killer performers. Man....talent.
Can I tell you that I love this guy. I got his autograph when I was 12, and he was the nicest guy you could imagine, and I met him again in 1990 and he was such a class act. He didn't take himself so seriously, that's key. RIP Champ your Cretinous Humanoids still love you.
Nick was legit all the way around. He really could wrestle and not just do a few moves like so many other "wrestlers" that went on to become stars in the WWF.
Yea, Nick is The Wrestling Champion. Damn Lawler should have been a boxer. All he did was go to punching with closed fist to win. No technical wrestling beside basic stuff. Nick was Real Deal. God bless him and his family.......
Same thing, today if need to turn AEW or WWE (which don’t watch anyway) off because of lack of interest, I go watch a ROH or RevPro or even CWFH/UWN. When watching Kings Road or ARK style or Strong Style, can’t tell which is the best but so far just enjoy watching NJPW, fascinated by NOAH and like UWF’s Gleat promotion. Check that out if you can. Just like UWFI.
@@stephencatchdudeknight4623 I find myself alternating from King's Road to Strong to Shoot...I am not sure one is better than the other. As for Lidet UWF, I love it! I watched the first two events last week and plan on watching the recent event they held.
Bockwinkel was such a great heel champion. I remember him going off on Wally Karbo: "What a disgrace that a world champion of my caliber has to defend the world title against a maniac like Baron Von Rashke in front of a bunch of hay seeds in Fargo, North Dakota. This man breaks melons with his bare hand, and Karbo is setting me up for the fall, and I'm not HAVING IT!" 🤣🤣🤣
There's a clip here on UA-cam of Nick Bockwinkel as a contestant on the Hollywood Squares circa 1967. Did he win? I won't spoil it for you, it's totally worth your time to look it up.
Saw him in a one hour Broadway match vs Tony Atlas, 2/3 falls in the Sam Houston Coliseum in 1981, I was 10, seated at ring side, he was 46...Great match as I remember...
I met him in 1990. He was such a gentleman...very intelligent. He was in my opinion the best wrestler of the territories bar none.
This guy is so incredibly under appreciated. He was fantastic in the ring, superb on the mic, and truly professional in his approach to the business.
I very truly, sincerely mean it when I say that today's 20 or 30-something wrestling fan has truly missed out if they have not had the opportunity to watch Bockwinkle, Ray Stevens and Bobby Heenan! Incredible talents individually, ABSOLUTELY LEGENDARY together.
One great match I saw was nick bockwinkle vs curt henning wrestle to a draw was a great old school match
@@robbyhealy78 And Nick was like 16 years older than Curt.
A natural Heel in the ring, but very classy, intelligent, with a great vocabulary during interviews! One of my favorites!
If you didn't see Bockwinkle, Stevens and Heenan in the AWA 70s, then you really missed some serious pro wrestling history. Those guys were GOLD. Absolute top level, killer performers. Man....talent.
Nick was right, the three of them were dynamite
Growing up in AWA territory. Nick is the Greatest
The ultimate pro in and out of the ring, that’s why I think he's the greatest of all time. Thanks for sharing Dot. 👍
He comes across like a very decent, humble person.
Can I tell you that I love this guy. I got his autograph when I was 12, and he was the nicest guy you could imagine, and I met him again in 1990 and he was such a class act. He didn't take himself so seriously, that's key. RIP Champ your Cretinous Humanoids still love you.
Nick was legit all the way around. He really could wrestle and not just do a few moves like so many other "wrestlers" that went on to become stars in the WWF.
You were GREAT Nick!!! Miss you being out there. Highly Skilled, you were a warrior.
One if the true all-time greats. There is a reason why Gagne trusted Nick with the belts for all those years, both the tag team and singles belts.
Heenan: ask Bockwinkle what time it is and he’ll tell you how a wristwatch is made.
Lol. Nick was a one-of-a-kind and there can never be another.
I miss this guy, Nick was the best, and most loved heel in the history of Wrestling.
A class act. I hated to learn of his passing.
R.I.P. Nick. You were awesome.
Yea, Nick is The Wrestling Champion. Damn Lawler should have been a boxer. All he did was go to punching with closed fist to win. No technical wrestling beside basic stuff. Nick was Real Deal. God bless him and his family.......
I finally like you, Nick! You always were a great promo!
The greatest AWA Champion there ever was!
Haha, I love how he’s still kayfabe here!
Pure class. When I want to watch good American wrestling, I go to old AWA footage. When I want good Japanese wrestling I turn to NJPW and UWFi
Same thing, today if need to turn AEW or WWE (which don’t watch anyway) off because of lack of interest, I go watch a ROH or RevPro or even CWFH/UWN. When watching Kings Road or ARK style or Strong Style, can’t tell which is the best but so far just enjoy watching NJPW, fascinated by NOAH and like UWF’s Gleat promotion. Check that out if you can. Just like UWFI.
@@stephencatchdudeknight4623 I find myself alternating from King's Road to Strong to Shoot...I am not sure one is better than the other.
As for Lidet UWF, I love it! I watched the first two events last week and plan on watching the recent event they held.
Nick was truly a class act Flair came across as a vulgar punk
Bockwinkel was such a great heel champion. I remember him going off on Wally Karbo: "What a disgrace that a world champion of my caliber has to defend the world title against a maniac like Baron Von Rashke in front of a bunch of hay seeds in Fargo, North Dakota. This man breaks melons with his bare hand, and Karbo is setting me up for the fall, and I'm not HAVING IT!" 🤣🤣🤣
There's a clip here on UA-cam of Nick Bockwinkel as a contestant on the Hollywood Squares circa 1967. Did he win? I won't spoil it for you, it's totally worth your time to look it up.
I was 14 at the time
Along with Gagne Single handed Buried the AWA not putting over Hogan rest is History
To me, "Wicked" Nick Bockwinkle was better than any of the NWA champions, the Funks, Race, Rhoades, Flair, whomever.
This guy was so over rated....He was handed challengers that were living under A bridge eating cat food.