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Nudged by Bockwinkel

By DON 'Cyrus' CALLIS -- For SLAM! Wrestling

Many fans have asked me about my early influences in the wrestling
industry, perhaps curious about any defining moments that would
catapult someone into such an odd career choice. While I cannot speak
to any one incident, my early influences are easy. Growing up in
Winnipeg, I was heavily influenced by watching the old AWA (American
Wrestling Association).

Owned primarily by Verne Gagne, the AWA was, at one time, the biggest
thing in the entire industry, boasting such stars as Hulk Hogan, Jesse
Ventura and Nick Bockwinkel. Gagne was eventually one of the
casualties of Vince McMahon's expansion to make the WWF a truly
national promotion, but the memories of his once great territory live
on for many of us.

I recall being about seven years old when I first experienced All Star
Wrestling on a Saturday. I remember being fascinated by what was going
on and like any early wrestling fan, hated the bad guys and loved the
good guys. For me that meant that Jim Brunzell and Greg Gagne could do
no wrong and that guys like Nick Bockwinkel were the ultimate form of
evil in my young world.

My Dad took me to several of the shows at the Winnipeg Arena and I
would get so worked up about what was going on that I would literally
be bathed in sweat by the end of the show. When the High Flyers were
down, I was down too, and I fantasized about the day that Bockwinkel
would finally get beaten for the World title.

All of those memories are nice, but it is also important to note, that
by living in Winnipeg, one would be influenced as a future wrestler by
the AWA style, just as a guy like Chris Benoit, growing up in
Edmonton, would be influenced by Stampede Wrestling, which was an
entirely different (most would allow: more modern) style of wrestling.
For Benoit, the ultimate wrestler was Dynamite Kid, while for a kid
from Winnipeg it had to be Bockwinkel -- love him or hate him.

Bockwinkel, like many of the stars of the AWA, was among the best in
the entire industry at the time. A heel ostensibly from Beverley
Hills, Calif., (and looking every bit of it), Bockwinkel was a
technical master in the ring, looked like a 1970s movie star outside
of it, and cut the best promos in the business, to boot. In fact, my
interview style, which early in my career was derided as a Ric Flair
rip-off, was in truth just as influenced by Bockwinkel.

Nick would be very formal, referring to his opponents in general by
the prefix "Mister" with heavy doses of big words that would no doubt
frustrate average wrestling fans. It can indeed be an irritating
practice. I should add as a caveat that Mister Bockwinkel enjoyed a
convivial repartee with the equally acerbic Mister Bobby Heenan, whose
lubricious besmirching of adversaries was "de rigueur" in the
parlayance of various factoids. Well, you get the idea.

Other stars, such as the Gagnes, Hogan, Jim Brunzell, Ventura, Jerry
Blackwell, Billy Robinson, Mad Dog Vachon, Baron Von Rashke, Jack
Lanza, Bobby Duncum and Rick Martel all made Winnipeg a great place to
grow up for a wrestling fan. One of the highlights of my career was
getting a chance to wrestle Brunzell, von Rashke, and Martel in the
course of the last few years. I learned volumes from all of them on
top of the years of enjoyment they provided me as a fan. Someone
should really do a tribute show.

K-5 News 

If you would like to train to be a wrestler, manager, valet,
announcer, referee or writer, email us at NHBwrestling{at}shaw.ca for
details. ... Rick Martel recently had two hip replacement surgeries,
so all the best for a speedy recovery. Rick is a great guy. ... Check
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--- Internet Rex 2.29