WWE Hall of Famer Nick Bockwinkel passed away last night at the age of 80.
Bockwinkel made his wrestling debut in 1955 and in 1970 he joined the American Wrestling Association, where he won several titles including the AWA World Heavyweight and Tag Team titles. During his time in the AWA, he had legendary feuds with Dick The Bruiser, Jerry Lawler, Hulk Hogan, Verne Gagne, and others, and was also involved in the first ever AWA vs WWWF champion, wrestling Bob Backlund to a double count-out in 1979.
After leaving the AWA, he worked for the WWF as a road agent and then later on for WCW as well. In 2007 he was elected as the President of the Cauliflower Alley Club and stepped down in 2014 due to health reasons.
Several people from the wrestling industry including Jerry Lawler, John Cena, Triple H, Mean Gene Okerlund, Mick Foley, Chris Jericho, The Iron Sheik, Bill Apter, and many others all sent their condolences on Twitter. The WWE.COM website also wrote a short story on Bockwinkel’s passing.