Blackjack Lanza

John 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 was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006.

Blackjack Lanza
Birth nameJohn Lanzo
Born (1935-10-14) October 14, 1935
Minneapolis, MN, U.S.
ResidenceLaredo, Texas, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Blackjack Lanza
Jack Lanza[1]
Billed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Trained byVerne Gagne
Debut1962

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
Main article: 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

Since his retirement, Lanza has worked for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as a road agent and producer.

In 2004, Lanza inducted his longtime manager Bobby Heenan into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004.[3] On April 1, 2006, Lanza, along with his former partner, Blackjack Mulligan, were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Heenan.[3]

Personal life

His kayfabe/storyline nephew is former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield.[6] They are not truly related.

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. David Chappell. "Blackjack Mulligan interview". Mid-Atlantic Gateway. Archived from the original on 2008-04-22. 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. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Texas: NWA / World Class American Heavyweight Title [Von Eric]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 265–266. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  8. "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  9. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Dallas) Texas: NWA American Tag Team Title [Fritz Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 978-0-9698161-5-7.
  10. "N.W.A. American Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  11. Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Texas) Dallas: NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. p. 271. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  12. "Texas Brass Knucks Title [East Texas]". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  13. "PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME MOVING FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK TO TEXAS". PWInsider. November 20, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
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