Verne Gagne
In 1975, AWA co-founder Verne Gagne proposed that he transition the AWA World Heavyweight Championship to his son, Greg Gagne. His business partner, Wally Karbo, proposed Bockwinkel as an alternative. Bockwinkel went on to defeat Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship on November 8, 1975 at the age of 40 in the St. Paul Civic Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, ending Gagne's seven-year reign. The match ended when Bobby Duncum interfered, enabling Bockwinkel to pin Gagne.