Nick Bockwinkel- Dead at 80

[taco.vidal]

http://www.tmz.com/2015/11/15/nick-b...e-hall-of-fame

Nick Bockwinkel -- WWE Hall of Famer -- and pioneer of the sports-entertainment culture has died ... TMZ has learned.
WWE released a statement confirming the death of the 4-time AWA Heavyweight Champ ... but a cause of death is yet to be revealed.
Bockwinkel began his career in the 1950's ... paving the way for pro-wrestlers today with his excellent grappling skills, and charismatic ring interviews.
He was also managed by legendary WWE star Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
Bockwinkel was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

[Northendzone]

Bockwinkle, hoodwinked, jerkwinkle......I can recall watching this wrestling technician on the old AWA telecasts and the Crusher (the man who made Milwaukee famous) would always start his interviews with the above.......

Always good to see these wrestlers die at an older age, versus passing way before their time

[Puppet Guy]

Bockwinkel generally seemed to be overlooked as a promo man, which was a shame.

[CaptainCrunch]

He wasn't one of my favorites by any stretch, but looking back on him I can admit that he was a great.

He was a very good promoter, and talker, and he was one of those technically sound performers. He was honestly the Bret Hart of his generation. He told good stories.

I remember that he would come to Stampede as the AWA world champion and be forced to defend his title against a IWA top contender, for some reason, it seems like it was always a dirty stinking heart.

Nick would just slow the match down to a crawl, do all of the great heel tricks (beg off, step through the ropes etc). Then he would go home with the belt

RIP Bock.

[Northendzone]

side note, is bobby heenan still alive?

funny how the guys back in teh day were not nearly as bulked up as today's performers - and they had body hair!!!!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

side note, is bobby heenan still alive?

funny how the guys back in teh day were not nearly as bulked up as today's performers - and they had body hair!!!!

Yeah Bobby is still alive, but from what I hear, he's a pretty sick person.