In a different era of pro wrestling, only the best ascended to greatness. Three men ruled the world in the AWA, WWE (WWF/WWWF), and the NWA. These men traveled more miles, wrestled more opponents, and have a multitude of stories to tell. It is with great honor that RF Video presents you one of these men. RF Video presents a brand-new Shoot Interview with former AWA world heavyweight champion, Nick Bockwinkel.
Bockwinkel is a fascinating interview on several levels. For one, he grew up in a pro wrestling family during the golden age of the business. Two, he is one of the last living people to tell tales about some of wrestling’s greatest legends as Nick hung around many classic wrestling greats as a child. Three, Nick’s own success as AWA world champion and his many travels in the wrestling business make this a must-see interview.
Nick recounts early memories of traveling with his father Warren Bockwinkel. Nick recounts a great rib played on the legendary Yukon Eric by his father’s friends. Nick recounts boat rides and parties with these legendary wrestlers. Nick also recounts a great story about the night Ed “Strangler” Lewis came over for dinner. Nick also talks in depth about the lessons his father taught him in and out of the ring.
Nick then remembers a ton of great stories from his career. There is no shortage of stories about Nick’s famous tag team partner Ray “The Crippler” Stevens. Nick talks fondly about Ray in and out of the ring. Nick also talks about some great matches he and Ray had with guys like Larry Hennig and Harley Race. Nick also talks about the pressures he felt working alongside one of the greatest workers of all time.
Nick’s rivalry with Verne Gagne in and out of the ring is legendary, and Nick talks all about it here. What did Nick really think of Verne? What was Nick’s favorite move he loved to nail Verne with and how did he do it? Were the babyfaces frustrated that Verne kept putting himself over? Did Verne ever shoot on Nick in the ring? Nick also talks about Greg and the pressures on Greg of being Gagne. Nick also gives some great insight on why he thinks the expansion never worked out for Verne.
Nick also talks about some of his most famous opponents. Nick talks extensively about being in the ring with Hulk Hogan. Was Hogan a good worker in Nick’s opinion? Could Nick see something in him? Was Nick surprised he left? Does Nick think Hogan should have gotten the AWA belt? Nick also gives his thoughts on the urban legend regarding Verne offering the Iron Sheik $100,000 to break Hogan’s leg. Does he think it is true and why does or doesn’t he? Nick also talks about wrestling a young Andre the Giant for one hour.
Nick is very candid with his opinions on some of wrestling’s most controversial figures. Nick talks about Dusty Rhodes and wrestling Dusty on occasion. Does Nick think Billy Robinson was a bully? What does Nick think of Bruiser Brody and the murder? Nick also weighs in on Stan Hansen and Verne’s decision to put him over Rick Martel. Nick also recounts in detail the night Mad Dog Vachon opened the airplane door and what he said to Maurice when the plane went down.
Nick also talks about some of his legendary rivalries. Nick talks about his matches with Curt Hennig and the legendary 60 minute draw. Nick also talks in depth about his rivalry with Jerry Lawler. Was there ever consideration for Lawler to go over Nick and why it would or wouldn’t have worked? Why did the two of them work so well in Memphis? What did Lawler say when he saw Nick a few years ago? Nick also talks about wrestling Larry Zbysko and how motivated Larry was for a great match.
Nick has some great rib stories and he shares a tremendous story on the interview. Nick goes into every detail about a master rib he pulled on Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty. Why would he pull the rib in the first place? Who did the Midnight Rockers blame for the rib? What did Shawn Michaels say to Nick a few years ago? As smart as you thought Nick was in the ring, he was downright brilliant in pulling this rib. Hear about the entire rib and the history here on the interview.
Words can’t describe the journey Nick took us on for over two hours in filming the interview. Nick has a tremendous memory and was very detailed and opinionated with his answers. It is truly an honor to bring you one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. It is with great pleasure that RF Video presents the Nick Bockwinkel Shoot Interview.
Captain Lesley Holmes, what do you think when I mention that name
Can you talk about growing up in wrestling
How early were you exposed to the business
How close were you with your father growing up
How big was your father on kayfabe
Do you have any early road stories you can share
How young were you when you started going to shows
What do you remember about going into the locker room as a kid
When did you start training
Was your father helpful to you
How did you get started
Memories of your first match
Did you think you would make it
Who were some of your mentors
Were promoters and guys harder or easier on you because of your father
Did you travel with your dad during your days as a worker
Memories teaming with your father
You dad trained Lou Thesz, any memories of this
What were the locker rooms like in the kayfabe era, your prime
How important was it not to travel with babyfaces and heels
Any bar fight memories
Memories of teaming with Ray Stevens
Memories of Billy Robinson
Do you think he was a bit of a bully
How did you wind up in the AWA
Initial memories of Verne Gagne
What was the Minnesota territory like travel wise
Memories of Crusher
Memories of Bruiser
Who did you like to travel with throughout your career
Memories of matches with Red Bastien
Memories of Baron Von Rachke
Were you on the plane for that infamous Mad Dog Vachon plane story
Was it frustrating when Verne kept putting the belts on himself
Was Verne cheap
Memories of matches with Andre the Giant
Memories of matches against Dusty Rhodes
Did you think Dusty had it to be a successful babyface
Thoughts on Greg Gagne
Memories of matches with the Gagnes
Memories of teaming with Larry Hennig
Memories of his babyface turn
Did you prefer wrestling as a babyface or a heel
Memories of making The Wrestler
Are you surprised it was remade
Memories of Jos LeDuc
Did you like traveling
Memories of matches with Jerry Lawler in Memphis
Memories of your matches with Hulk Hogan
Did you know he had something special
Over the years a lot of people have questioned Verne’s decision not to put the belt on him. Do you think he should ave went over?
How did you find out he was leaving?
id you think it was a big deal at the time
Greg Gagne denies that Verne offered Iron Sheik money to break Hogan’s leg, do you think he did
Were you surprised when Bobby Heenan left
Bobby has told us he expected Verne to get physical with him when he told him the news, was that in Verne’s character
Thoughts on Bruiser Brody
A lot of ex-AWA guys have said that Verne never watched his own TV during the ESPN run, your thoughts on that
Memories of matches you had with Ric Flair
Are you surprised when fans call that the greatest match in Winnipeg history
Thoughts on Bruno Sammartino
Is it true that Otto Wanz paid $25,000 for his title run
Did you ever refuse to put anyone over
Memories of Superstar Graham
Memories of Wahoo McDaniel
Were you surprised when Harley Race left the AWA that he went on to such success in the NWA
Memories of a young Bob Backlund
Iron Sheik memories and stories
Any good Ray Stevens traveling stories
John Nord did a shoot with us and he said that a lot of the younger guys didn’t like you during his run, did you feel disconnect with a lot of the younger guys
Memories of Curt Hennig and the famous 60mn match
Memories of the ribs with the locks
Memories of matches with the Road Warriors
Were there problems with them selling for guys early on
Why do you think Verne’s decision to go national didn’t pay off in the end
Memories of Wrestle Rock
Memories of the Freebirds in the AWA
Memories of matches with Rick Martel
Do you think he was a good champion
Favorite Japanese matches
Memories of the Original Sheik
Memories of Johnny Valentine
Memories of Jesse Ventura
Did you vote for him
Memories of your Hollywood Squares experience
How did you get the part on Hawaii Five
How come you didn’t do more acting
Memories of the Monkees episode
As a traveling champion, did anyone ever try and shoot or get cute with you
Did Verne like to shoot in his matches
Thoughts on Verne recently and the tragic news from last year
Thoughts on Eric Bischoff
Memories of working for Joe Blanchard
Early memories of Tully
Memories of matches with Rick Steamboat
How did you develop your promo style
Is it true that Shawn Michaels apologized to you for things from the AWA era several years back
Memories of Scott Hall
Memories of Stan Hansen
Do you think in the end, guys like he and Brody were bad for business
Memories of Larry Zbysko
Thoughts on wrestling now as compared to then
How did you get involved with WCW
Did you get involved with booking there
What led to your retirement
Did Vince or anyone else try and talk you into a short run
Do you regret it
Why are so many guys unable to adjust to retirement unlike yourself and Bruno Sammartino
Thoughts on Ric Flair retiring and now coming back
Thoughts on your WWE Hall of Fame induction
Thoughts on Vince McMahon
Thoughts on Bill Watts
Why do you think some second and third generation guys like Randy Orton and the Rock succeed, where others like David Sammartino and David Flair don’t
What were the pressures for you of being a second generation wrestler
Do you think there is less respect for the business by today’s pro wrestlers as opposed to your era
Why do you think the AWA was such a successful promotion during its time
Were you surprised when it closed
Are you surprised that ESPN still replays the shows as does WWE 24/7
Your thoughts on the lack of kayfabe today
Is it true that you were offered a brief run with the NWA title
How involved are you with the Cauliflower Alley
What were you thinking during Bruce Hart’s speech several years ago
Can you talk about the amount of bumps guys take today as compared to your era
You have said in the past that they liked to test guys before putting the AWA belt on them. Is there anyone that you remember testing out for whatever reason it didn’t work with him.
Did you ever consider coming out of retirement
How come you never got into commentary post-wrestling
Is there anyone in today’s wrestling that you enjoy watching
Thoughts about the rash of deaths over the last several years
Will you have a book coming out