Nick Bockwinkel, American professional wrestler, Died at 80

  Sports

Nicholas Warren Francis “Nick” Bockwinkel was born on December 6, 1934, and died on November 14, 2015.

He was an American professional wrestler.

Nicholas mainly competed in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the United States.

He was a former multi-time AWA World champion and co-holder of the AWA World Tag Team Championship.

Nicholas was considered by his peers and many industry experts to be an excellent wrestler, known for his exceptional technical ability and ring psychology.

He was also known for his calm, charismatic, articulate promos, which distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

Nicholas began his career in 1955, after a knee injury forced the University of Oklahoma to withdraw his football scholarship.

After training to become a wrestler by his father, Warren, a regional star in the 1940s, and Lou Thesz, he spent the early years of his career teaming with his father.

At the age of 16, Nicholas had his debut match against Thesz.

Nicholas won his first major singles title in 1963, defeating Tony Borne for the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship.

He also held several singles and tag team titles in Hawaii and California where he was popular.

It was reported by Cauliflower Alley Club that Nicholas Bockwinkel had passed away from health issues, he was age 80.