Jack Lanza

Infobox Wrestler
name=Jack Lanza


names=Blackjack Lanza
Cowboy Jack Lanza
height = height|ft=6|in=4
weight = convert|245|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = October 14
birth_place =
death_date =
resides= Laredo, Texas
billed=
trainer= Verne Gagne
debut= 1962
retired= |

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.

Career

Lanza started his career in 1962. In the American Wrestling Association (AWA), 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.cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/awa/awa-t.html|title=AWA World Tag Team Title History|publisher=wrestling-titles.com|accessdate=2007-08-17]

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.cite web|url=http://www.midatlanticgateway.com/Resource_Center/interviews/mulligan/blackjack01.htm|title=Blackjack Mulligan interview|author=David Chappell|publisher=Mid-Atlantic Gateway|accessdate=2008-04-10] They were managed by Bobby Heenan.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/blackjacks/bio/|title=Hall of Fame: The Blackjacks|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-08-17]

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.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=World Tag Team Title History|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-08-17] 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 promised Lanza that he would receive one World singles title shot a month.

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. 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.

Personal life

His nephew is former WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield.cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/blackjack-lanza.html|title=Jack Lanza's Profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2007-08-17]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**Clawhold
**Brainbuster

*Managers
**Bobby Heenan

Championships and accomplishments

*American Wrestling Association:*AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Duncum Sr.

*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 Texas Brass Knuckles Championship (2 times)

*World Wrestling Association:*WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blackjack Mulligan

*World Wide Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling 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