AWA #43 Page #2

Being the son of Larry The Axe Hennig, it came as no shock to anyone when Curt Hennig became a professional wrestler. Exactly when Curt made his pro wrestling debut is a matter of some debate. The year 1980 gets tossed around by such luminaries as Dave Meltzer and Bill Apter but the earliest Curt Hennig match AWA historians can find is from February of 1981. Curt worked the AWA for a few months in 1981 before being sent to the WWF for some seasoning. Hennig paid his dues in the WWF losing many more matches than he won. After a brief return to the AWA, Curt landed in the Pacific Northwest in early 1982. Hennig was quite successful in that territory winning the Pacific Northwest heavyweight title in May of 1983. Curt came back to the AWA in April of 1984 and began teaming with other fan favorites like Greg Gagne, Tom Zenk and Steve Olsonoski. It wasn't until October of 1985 when Hennig started teaming regularly with Scott Hall that Curt showed any hint of breaking out of his father's shadow. The team of Hennig and Hall were so impressive that the AWA soon made them tag team champions. It was during this time period in early 1986 that Curt really started showing fire. He became much more agressive in his matches prompting partner Scott Hall to dub him Curtis Mayhem. Once Hennig and Hall dropped the tag straps to Buddy Rose and Doug Somers, Curt received his first big singles push in the AWA. An AWA title match against Stan Hansen was a coming out party of sorts for Curt as he acquitted himself very well against the rugged Hansen. By November of 1986 when Nick Bockwinkel was now AWA champion, Hennig was in line for another world title shot. On November 21st, 1986 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Curt Hennig battled Nick Bockwinkel to one of the most exciting 60 minute draws in AWA history. Just as the time limit expired, Curt was about to win. He was so, so close to beating Bockwinkel. The 60 minute draw between Hennig and Bockwinkel aired nationwide on ESPN December 31st, 1986. The classic 60 minute draw cemented Curt Hennig as Bockwinkel's top challenger. Rumors began flying right and left. The WWF was negotiating with Curt Hennig. Verne Gagne promised Curt the AWA title. These rumors persisted as Hennig's chase of Nick Bockwinkel continued. It should be noted that Curt's wrestling style was getting rougher and rougher week by week. 

Enter Larry Zbyszko. Larry was receiving title shots against Bockwinkel during the same time period Curt Hennig was. Zbyszko hated Bockwinkel and made it his goal to drive Nick out of professional wrestling. When a title match was signed between Bockwinkel and Hennig for Super Clash II in San Francisco, California on May 2nd, 1987, Larry stated he would be a ringside to challenge the winner. At Super Clash II, Hennig and Bockwinkel engaged in another classic confrontation with neither man gaining a decisive edge until Nick's arch-enemy, Larry Zbyszko, appeared at ringside. At first, it appeared Larry was just there to watch the match. While the referee was otherwise occupied, Zbyszko seemed to pass something to Hennig. Curt then hit Bockwinkel with a big right hand knocking Nick out cold. Hennig then scored the winning pinfall to become AWA heavyweight champion. Ray Stevens who was broadcasting the match at ringside saw something was fishy about the outcome of the match and went into the ring to confront Hennig and Zbyszko. Ray found a roll of coins that was used to knock out Bockwinkel. AWA president Stanley Blackburn ruled the AWA heavyweight championship would be held up pending review by the AWA championship committee. Unbeknownst to the average fan, Curt Hennig was in negotiations with the WWF. Hennig had to decide whether he would jump promotions or become AWA heavyweight champion. This was the reason for the AWA title being held up. Hennig chose to remain with the AWA so a week later on television it was announced Curt Hennig was the new AWA heavyweight champion. 

Here are a list of Nick Bockwinkel's final matches in the AWA. 

5/3/87 Denver
Nick Bockwinkel beat Super Ninja COR 

6/17/87 Green Bay
Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens beat Larry Zbyszko & Brian Knobbs 

6/21/87 Rockford
Curt Hennig & Larry Zbyszko beat Nick Bockwinkel & Greg Gagne DQ 

7/11/87 Las Vegas
Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko 

7/12/87 Denver
Nick Bockwinkel beat Larry Zbyszko 

8/3/87 Minneapolis or 8/1
Nick Bockwinkel beat Curt Hennig DQ 

The AWA filmed an angle where Hennig and Zbyszko injured Bockwinkel with a spike piledriver. Nick was not seen in AWA rings after that point. Zbyszko claimed he ended Bockwinkel's career. In reality, Nick just decided to retire.  

This concludes the series of columns on the career of Nick Bockwinkel. I hope you all enjoyed them. I certainly had fun writing them.  

Thanks as usual to AWA historians George Schire and Jim Melby as well as results trader and historian Mike Rodgers.  

I have plans to do columns on Rick Martel and the High Flyers in the coming months. However next month this column will feature an AWA FAQ Frequently Asked Questions piece. The series of Martel columns will begin in two months. After I'm done with Martel, then it's on to Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell. 

Comments, questions and corrections can be sent to jcz64@yahoo.com.