Blackjack Lanza

Blackjack Lanza
Black Jack Lanza & Bobby Heenan - The New Illustrated Wrestling News A.W.A. Edition - 1971 No.46 (cropped).jpg
Lanza in 1971
Birth nameJohn Mortl Lanzo
Born(1935-10-14)October 14, 1935
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 2021(2021-12-08) (aged 86)
Spouse(s)
Barbara Kalil
(m. 1957)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Blackjack Lanza
Jack Lanza
Joe Lanza
Billed height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Billed weight253 lb (115 kg)
Billed fromAlbuquerque, New Mexico
Laredo, Texas
Trained byVerne Gagne
Debut1961
Retired1985

John Mortl Lanzo (October 14, 1935 – December 8, 2021) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Blackjack Lanza. Along with his long-term tag team partner, Blackjack Mulligan, Lanza was one-half of The Blackjacks: "black cowboy hat-wearing, cowboy boot-stomping, rugged hombres who drew money wherever they went".

From the 1960s to 1980s, Lanza wrestled for promotions such as the American Wrestling Association, World Wrestling Association, and the World Wide Wrestling Federation, winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship, WWA World Tag Team Championship, and WWWF World Tag Team Championship alongside Mulligan. He is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Early life

Lanza was born on October 14, 1935 to William Lanza and Louise Mortl, and attended the University of Minnesota, where he worked as a sociology teacher.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1961–1962)

Originating from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lanza was trained by local promoter Verne Gagne. He began his career in late-1961, wrestling a handful of matches for the Birmingham, Alabama-based NWA Mid-America promotion as "Joe Lanza". In 1962, he briefly held the promotion's NWA Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship.

St. Louis Wrestling Club (1962–1963, 1966–1978)

Lanza wrestled sporadically for the St. Louis Wrestling Club from 1962 to 1963, then again from 1966 to 1978. In February 1969, Lanza wrestled former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Gene Kiniski to a 60-minute draw, establishing him as an "instant contender".

American Wrestling Association (1962–1979)

In mid-1962, Lanza returned to Minnesota, where he joined Gagne's American Wrestling Association as Jack Lanza. He teamed with Bobby Duncum and was managed by Bobby Heenan. During his time in the company, his gimmick was that of a Western cowboy. The duo won the AWA World Tag Team Championship on July 23, 1976. In the 1970s, Lanza and Mulligan teamed up to form The Blackjacks. Lanza was a main-eventer when the duo began teaming together. They were managed by Bobby Heenan.

Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (1963)

In 1963, Lanza joined the Charlotte, North Carolina-based Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling promotion, wrestling as "Jack Lanza". He left the promotion the following year.

World Wrestling Association (1967–1972)

Lanza wrestled for the Indianapolis, Indiana-based World Wrestling Association from 1967 to 1972. Accompanied by Bobby Heenan, he defeated Wilbur Snyder for the WWA World Heavyweight Championship in September 1967. His reign lasted until August 1969, when he was defeated by Dick the Bruiser. In 1971, The Blackjacks began wrestling in the WWA. In November 1971, they defeated Paul Christy and Wilbur Snyder for the WWA World Tag Team Championship. Their reign lasted until September 1972, when they lost to The Crusher and Dick the Bruiser.

World Wide Wrestling Federation (1973, 1975)

Lanza debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation in mid-1973 as "Blackjack Lanza". His regular opponents included André the Giant, Chief Jay Strongbow, and Dean Ho. He left the promotion in December 1973. In 1975, they joined the WWWF. On August 26, 1975, The Blackjacks defeated Dominic DeNucci and Pat Barrett for the WWWF World Tag Team Championship. The match was a two-out-of-three falls match, and the Blackjacks won the match by winning the first and third falls. As part of his tenure in WWWF, Vince McMahon Sr. promised Lanza that he would receive one World singles title shot a month.

NWA Big Time Wrestling (1974–1975)

In January 1974, The Blackjacks joined the Dallas, Texas-based NWA Big Time Wrestling promotion. Later that month, they were named the NWA American Tag Team Champions. Their reign lasted until July 1974, when they were defeated by Ken Patera and Tex McKenzie. In December 1974, he won the vacant NWA American Heavyweight Championship. He lost the championship to Fritz Von Erich later that month.

Georgia Championship Wrestling (1979)

In 1979, Lanza wrestled for Georgia Championship Wrestling. He defeated Bob Armstrong for the NWA Georgia Television Championship in April, holding the championship until August 1979, when he was defeated by Ray Candy.

Late career (1979–1985)

After Georgia Championship Wrestling, Lanza was inactive from wrestling until 1983. He returned to AWA American Wrestling Association where he feuded with Bobby Heenan in bunkhouse matches defeating Heenan in all of them. That same year he reunited with Blackjack Mulligan working St. Louis and AWA. The Blackjacks broke up in 1984. He retired from wrestling in 1985 and worked for WWF as a road agent.[citation needed]

Personal life

Lanza married Barbara Jean Kalil on September 28, 1957, and they lived in Douglas County, Minnesota.

Death

On December 8, 2021, Jim Ross announced via Twitter that Lanza had died. He was 86 years old, and had been in poor health.

Championships and accomplishments


This page was last updated at 2023-01-08 04:43 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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