Nick Bockwinkel was an American professional wrestler best known for his time in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and as a world champion. He was born on December 6, 1934, in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on November 14, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Personal and Family Life
Nick Bockwinkel was the son of a professional wrestler, Warren Bockwinkel, which influenced his choice of career. He was married to Susan Tranchitella from 1957 until their divorce in 1967, and they had two children together. Later, he married Darlene Hampp on July 10, 1972, until his death in 2015.
Career
Bockwinkel began wrestling in various regions before gaining fame in the AWA. He was a three-time AWA Tag Team Champion alongside Ray Stevens in the 1970s, and he also held the AWA World Heavyweight Title four times, with his first reign lasting nearly five years. After retiring from wrestling, he served as a commentator and worked as a chief executive for Ted Turner’s WCW in the 1990s.
Death and Legacy
Nick Bockwinkel passed away on November 14, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is remembered as one of the longest-lived and most respected “heel” champions in professional wrestling history. In 2003, he was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in the industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| WWE: The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA | 2006-01-01 | Self |
| WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History | 2013-05-28 | |
| WCW Slamboree 1993 | 1993-05-23 | Himself |
| WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology | 2006-10-17 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time | 2010-12-07 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| NWA Battle of the Belts | 1985-02-09 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA SuperClash II | 1987-05-02 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| WWE: Allied Powers – The World’s Greatest Tag Teams | 2009-01-01 | Himself |
| WWE Hall of Fame 2007 | 2007-03-31 | Himself |
| AWA StarCage | 1985-04-21 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Super Sunday | 1983-04-24 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA: WrestleRock ’86 | 1986-04-20 | Himself |
| NWA Battle of the Belts III | 1986-09-01 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Wrestling For a Cure | 1985-08-16 | Himself |
| AWA Battle by the Bay | 1986-06-28 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA The Brawl in St. Paul | 1986-12-25 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| The Wrestler | 1974-04-28 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Christmas Night 1983 | 1983-12-25 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Christmas Show 1983 | 1983-12-25 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Christmas Show 1984 | 1984-12-25 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| PWUSA Mayhem at The Meadowlands | 1985-04-19 | Nick Bockwinkel (Appearance) |
| PWUSA Star Wars | 1985-02-24 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| AWA Super Clash | 1985-09-25 | Nick Bockwinkel |
| The Life And Times of Paul Boesch | 1994-04-01 | Himself (archive footage) |
| WCW Clash of the Champions XXVIII | 1994-08-24 | Nick Bockwinkel (WCW Commissioner) |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Harry |