It was announced this morning by the Cauliflower Alley Club, that AWA Legend Nick Bockwinkel has passed away due to health issues.
The Cauliflower Alley Club has released the following statement:
“It is with a heavy heart the Cauliflower Alley Club announces that The Greatest AWA World Champion of all time and former CAC President Nicholas “Nick” Bockwinkel passed away Saturday night at approx. 8:40 pm due to health issues. We will have more on this later Sunday afternoon. The Cauliflower Alley Club, it’s members, and all of Nicks fans & friends send their condolences to Darlene & the Bockwinkel family at this time.
The Bockwinkel family ask for everyone to respect their privacy at this time.”
Bockwinkel, 80, debuted in the 1950’s and started his first reign as AWA Champion in 1975 holding the championship for 1714 Days/until 1980. His reigns overall would combine close to 3000 days. Before the likes of tremendous technicians like Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko and Ric Flair, Bockwinkel set the standard and was the poster boy of the AWA. Nick & Bobby Heenan was the prototype of putting together a manager with a wrestler who could talk. Like Paul Heyman and CM Punk in the modern era. Nick remained loyal until the AWA’s end, and could’ve easily been a megastar in the WWF during the Hogan era, and would even go on to put Hogan over in matches between the two. During his final reign as AWA Champion, Nick would go on to face young up-and-comers like Scott Hall, Curt Hennig, and the King of Memphis himself Jerry Lawler.
TWM sends its condolences and thoughts with the Bockwinkel family at this time and remember him as the legendary figure in the world of wrestling that he was.
Rest in Power Nick Bockwinkel. Class personified. My pleasure knowing you. My eternal gratitude for your contributions to our craft.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) November 15, 2015
Just want to say Nick Bockwinkel was such a special person in this industry and someone who played a big part in my life.Really really sad
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) November 15, 2015