Jack Lanza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jack Lanza | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Blackjack Lanza Cowboy Jack Lanza[1] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg/17.5 st) |
| Born | October 14 |
| Resides | Laredo, Texas |
| Trained by | Verne Gagne |
| Debut | 1962 |
Jack Lanza (born October 14) is a retired professional wrestler. He was one half of The Blackjacks with Blackjack Mulligan in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). He is currently a producer in WWE. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
Contents |
Career
Lanza started his career in 1962.[2] In the American Wrestling Association (AWA), he teamed with Bobby Duncum and was managed by Bobby Heenan.[2] During his time in the company, his gimmick was that of a Western cowboy.[1] The duo won the AWA World Tag Team Championship on July 23, 1976.[3]
The Blackjacks
In the 1970s, Lanza and Mulligan teamed up to form The Blackjacks. Lanza was a main-eventer when the duo began teaming together.[1] They were managed by Bobby Heenan.[2]
In 1975, they joined the WWWF.[1] On August 26, 1975, The Blackjacks defeated Dominic DeNucci and Pat Barrett for the WWWF World Tag Team Championship.[4] The match was a two-out-of-three falls match, and the Blackjacks won the match by winning the first and third falls.[1] As part of his tenure in WWWF, Vince McMahon promised Lanza that he would receive one World singles title shot a month.[1]
Retirement
Following his career, Lanza worked for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as a road agent. He is still in that capacity today.
Lanza inducted his longtime manager Bobby Heenan into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.[2] On April 1, 2006, Lanza, along with his former partner, Blackjack Mulligan, were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by their former manager, Bobby Heenan.[2]
Personal life
His nephew is former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield.[5]
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Managers
Championships and accomplishments
-
- NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan
- NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship (2 times)
-
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan
-
- PWI ranked him # 338 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
References
- ^ a b c d e f David Chappell. Blackjack Mulligan interview. Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved on 2008-04-10.
- ^ a b c d e Hall of Fame: The Blackjacks. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ AWA World Tag Team Title History. wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ World Tag Team Title History. WWE.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ Jack Lanza's Profile. Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
