Blackjack Lanza

Blackjack Lanza
Birth name	John Lanza
Born	October 14, 1935 Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Residence	Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Blackjack Lanza Jack Lanza[1]
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight	245 lb (111 kg)
Trained by	Verne Gagne
Debut	1962

John "Jack" Lanza (born October 14, 1935)^[2] is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Blackjack Lanza. Lanza was one-half of the tag team 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.

Professional wrestling career

Lanza started his career in 1962.^[3] In the American Wrestling Association (AWA), he teamed with Bobby Duncum and was managed by Bobby Heenan.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[3]

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.^[5] 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.^[3] 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.^[3]

Personal life

His nephew is former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield.^[6]

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
  • Brainbuster
  • Clawhold
• Managers
  • Bobby Heenan
  • Lou Albano
• Nicknames
  • "Cowboy" Jack Lanza

Championships and accomplishments

• American Wrestling Association
  • AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Duncum
  • AWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • NWA Georgia Television Championship (1 time)
• NWA Big Time Wrestling
  • NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan
  • NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (3 times)
• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Class of 2016^[7] - Inducted as a member of The Blackjacks
• World Wrestling Association
  • WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan
• World Wide Wrestling Federation / Entertainment
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)
  • WWWF World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him # 338 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

References

1. David Chappell. "Blackjack Mulligan interview". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
2. WWE Legends by Brian Solomon; page 185
3. "Hall of Fame: The Blackjacks". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
4. "AWA World Tag Team Title History". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
5. "World Tag Team Title History". WWE. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
6. "Jack Lanza's Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
7. "PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME MOVING FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK TO TEXAS". PWInsider. November 20, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-20.

External links

• WWE Hall of Fame Profile of The Blackjacks