Birth name John Lanza Name Blackjack Lanza Billed height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Role Professional wrestler | Billed weight 245 lb (111 kg) Debut 1962 TV shows AWA All-Star Wrestling | |
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Ring name(s) Blackjack LanzaJack Lanza Residence Laredo, Texas, United States | ||
Blackjack Lanza Runs Into The Microphone While Talking About Bobby Heenan
GCW Atlanta Omni Promo Stan 'The Lariat' Hansen vs Blackjack Lanza
John Lanza (born October 14, 1935) 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.
Contents
- Blackjack Lanza Runs Into The Microphone While Talking About Bobby Heenan
- GCW Atlanta Omni Promo Stan The Lariat Hansen vs Blackjack Lanza
- Professional wrestling career
- The Blackjacks
- Retirement
- Personal life
- In wrestling
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
Professional wrestling 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.
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. They were managed by Bobby Heenan.
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 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.