[AWA] Hulk Hogan Added to Title Lineage

Yes, it’s true. Hollywood Hulk Hogan, the world’s most famous professional wrestler is a former World Heavyweight Champion of the American Wrestling Association. Not just once, but twice! Unfortunately, these reigns have become the victims of backstage politics. As a result, knowledge of them has been buried deep within the files of the AWA’s history….

Until now.

In recent years, pro wrestling has made an attempt to clean up its history by giving official recognition to forgotten title reigns that were so brief they were overlooked at the time they occurred. Such as the Bob Backlund/Antonio Inoki six day WWF World title trade of 1979. Or the Ric Flair/Harley Race three day NWA World title trade of 1984. For years these title changes went unrecognized despite their importance and significance. Fortunately, pro wrestling has since come to realize what a mistake this was and now proudly lists these title changes in the history books of their respective titles. Now it’s time for the AWA to do the same.

The date was April 18, 1982 in Saint Paul, MN, AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkle was defending against a fast rising superstar by the name of Hulk Hogan. History was made on this date as the young Hulkster pinned Bockwinkle for the title 1-2-3. The crowd went wild! Bockwinkle’s manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan tried to protest the outcome claiming that Hogan has used a foreign object – which Heenan himself has used on Hogan earlier in the match! The referee questioned Hogan, but the blood on his face cleared all doubts and the ref upheld his decision. The ring announcer made the official announcement, the ref personally strapped the belt around the new champion’s waist, and Hulk Hogan left the arena as the new AWA World Champion. But the celebration was short lived. One week later, April 24, 1982 on AWA television, President Stanley Blackburn stripped the new champion of the title and returned it to Bockwinkle, sighting the object used by both Heenan and Hogan.

One year later, April 24, 1983 at the AWA’s “Super Sunday” event in Minneapolis, MN Hogan received his rematch with Bockwinkle. Hogan again defeated Bockwinkle 1-2-3, to regain the AWA World Title. Again the title was presented to the new champion, Hulk Hogan. This reign lasted only a few moments however as Blackburn again got involved, coming to the ring, stripping Hogan of the belt and returning it to Bockwinkle. The enraged fans made their protest clear as a near riot broke out from the stands. This was more than Hogan could stand and he left the AWA shortly afterwards costing the AWA the greatest pro wrestler of all time.

Due in part to the bad terms on which Hogan and then owner Verne Gagne parted, Hulk Hogan’s days as AWA World Champion went unmentioned for many years. Whenever the matches are mentioned, the endings are usually referred to as “Dusty finishes” which is when a referee reverses his decision thus changing the outcome of a match. However, the two matches in question were not “Dusty finishes”. On both occasions, AWA president Stanly Blackburn stripped Hogan of the belt and returned it to Bockwinkle. The referee NEVER reversed his decision. Therefore, due to the “Referee’s decision is final” rule, Hollywood Hulk Hogan won the AWA World Title on two separate occasions and those reigns deserve to be recognized no matter how brief they may have been.