American Wrestling Association

It was strange, sitting at my desk, the same desk the old man had used since the day the company had opened its doors. The idea that I would one day be taking over the family business always lingered in my mind but now? It was real. I was here and I'd just finished booking the very first show of the year. All in all I was happy with it, we put together a good show, the fans enjoyed it and there was just enough difference from dad's idea of what the product should be to bring some much needed freshness.

It wasn't easy letting Wally Karbo and Stanley Blackburn go, dad fought hard to keep them. More so for Karbo than for Blackburn. Wally was here from the start, helped dad found the company. I just couldn't see a future for them in an AWA that I was running. Dad wasn't the only one with concerns about my regime changes it seemed. As I sat down looking over the numbers from the house and the ratings report from the first All Star Wrestling I actually ran. There was a knock at my office door.

"Come in..."

The door opened, and the moment he stepped in, every bit of my attention turned to him. He came in a bright white suit,  perfectly polished black loafers, he kept his eyes covered with slightly tinted sunglasses. His fair blonde hair styled to perfection, hanging on his shoulder was the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. It was Bockwinkel

"Nick! Good to see you!" I'd rise up from my chair and offered him the seat in front of my desk. If there was one person who had respect that equalled what I had for my father, it was Nick Bockwinkel, and I'd learned enough from how dad did business to know that he was a man who should be treated with respect. He took a seat, slowly taking off his sunglasses and placing them on the desk.

"Congratulations on your first successful show." Bockwinkel was not much different than how he presented himself on camera, well spoken, intelligent, purpose in his tone. "I hope that there will be many more to follow."

"Thank you Nick. That means a lot coming from you." I wanted to crack a could smile, but I could see the slight concern that was on Nick's face. I had to try and pry out his real reason for coming here "Although dad's a little worried..."

"Did you expect any other reaction?" Nick asked with a grin "This has been his baby for over twenty years Greg...give him time and he won't try and step in on your decisions."

"Might be a lot of time after getting rid of Karbo and Blackburn..."

"Hmmm..." Bockwinkel nodded, pondering for a moment what to say "Well, he and Karbo were close...but I understand. It was nothing personal. Just business. All part of the regime change right?"

"Right." I nodded, smiling, glad that at least my champion understood what I was doing.

"I suppose we're all a little concerned what the regime change might bring..." He added, immediately shifting the tone.

"What do you mean Nick?" I asked confused.

"I'm not getting any younger Greg." He stated bluntly. "I'm forty eight years old, a lot of people probably consider that I'm hitting my twilight years of my career."

"What do those people know?" I asked him. Yeah, Nick was nearing fifty. Of course the thought of him "Passing the torch" had already crossed my mind. In fact I was already working out the road to making it happen. But the idea of "getting rid" of Nick Bockwinkel? That was something I would never have allowed. " You think you're going to end up like Karbo and Blackburn because of that?"

"Well I know you want to inject some youth into the roster and..."

"Nick!" I interjected, chuckling as I walked over and placed my hand on his shoulder "Nick...you are my champion. You're the greatest heel I have, arguably the greatest wrestler I have...and you're the best champion we've ever had...don't tell dad I said that."

Bockwinkel chuckled "I won't."

"When the time is right you'll pass the torch..."I was upfront and honest with him, because he deserved that much. "But it will do good business, it will make sense and when it happens? I don't want you to think for a single second that means it's the end for you here." It was strange, seeing our current champion and top heel, a man who had done years of business with my family concerned for his future in the company was strange. I suppose that's the nature of the business though. Just because I was Verne Gagne's son didn't mean your position was safe...as I had to unfortunately prove with Wally Karbo and Stanley Blackburn...but neither of those men were Nick Bockwinkel.

"As long as there is an AWA...there will always be a place for Nick Bockwinkel..." I assured him "Whether you are wrestling or not...in fact while I have you here Nick. I have an offer for you."

"An offer?" he asked raising his eyebrows.

"You know the wrestling school dad has been running?"

"You mean the barn?" Nick asked with a chuckle.

"Yes, the barn" I chuckled back, remembering the sounds of men grunting and screaming as dad would push them to their limits training them in his old barn. "Well I was thinking of making a couple investments and...uh...improving the barn, into an actual wrestling school."

"Smart idea." Bockwinkel nods approvingly "A barn isn't exactly the most welcoming image."

"And it isn't the seventies any more..."I added "Needless to say. Dad isn't stepping back only in terms of business, he wants to focus on being a road agent. So that leaves a trainer spot open." I reached out my hand, offering it for Bockwinkel to shake "I'd like you to be the head trainer." 

Bockwinkel was taken aback for a moment, before nodding and shaking my hand oin return.

"I'd love to."