Blackjack Lanza - Pro Wrestlers Database
WWE Hall of Fame: GroupsProfessional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF): Groups

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Blackjack Lanza, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

John Lanza was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 14, 1935.

He died on December 8, 2021 at the age of 86.

Blackjack Lanza has won 1 championship in major promotions during his career.

Blackjack Lanza was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of The Blackjacks) and in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF) in 2016 as part of the Groups wing (as a member of The Blackjacks).

Profile Info

  • GenderMale
  • Real NameJohn Lanza
  • Ring Names
    • Blackjack Lanza (August 11, 1967 - August 2, 1985)
    • Jack Lanza (July 24, 1962 - July 28, 1967)
    • Joe Lanza (October 9, 1961 - November 19, 1963)
  • Born October 14, 1935
  • Died December 8, 2021 (aged 86)
  • NationalityNationality: United StatesUnited States
  • Birth PlaceAlbuquerque, New Mexico
  • Billed From
    • Eagle Pass, Texas
  • Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
  • Weight
    • 245 lbs (111 kg)
  • NicknamesCowboy; The World's Meanest Wrestler

Career History

  • Roles

    • Wrestler (October 9, 1961 - August 2, 1985)
  • Promotions History

    Promotionfromto
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWAJuly 24, 1962August 2, 1985
    PromotionNational Wrestling AllianceNWAOctober 9, 1961September 14, 1984
    PromotionHeart of America Sports AttractionsCSW, St. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCMay 26, 1983September 14, 1984
    PromotionGeorgia Championship WrestlingGCWJanuary 6, 1979August 10, 1979
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCDecember 5, 1975September 16, 1978
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFJune 13, 1975December 15, 1975
    PromotionNWA Big Time WrestlingBTW DALLAS, Gulf Athletic ClubGACJanuary 14, 1974May 9, 1975
    PromotionWorld Wide Wrestling FederationWWWFJune 4, 1973December 20, 1973
    PromotionWorld Wrestling AssociationWWA INOctober 14, 1971February 24, 1973
    PromotionSt. Louis Wrestling ClubSLWCApril 6, 1968September 22, 1972
    PromotionInternational Wrestling EnterpriseIWEJuly 6, 1971August 2, 1971
    PromotionWorld Wrestling AssociationWWA INNovember 24, 1966September 20, 1969
    PromotionWorldwide Wrestling AssociatesWWA HOLLYWOODDecember 22, 1965June 24, 1966
    PromotionAmerican Wrestling AllianceAWA SFJanuary 20, 1965September 30, 1965
    PromotionJim Crockett PromotionsJCPJuly 22, 1963May 12, 1964
  • Images History

    Jun 1973
    Jun 1973
    Oct 1961
    Oct 1961
  • Face / Heel Turns

    AlignmentDetailsfromto
    HeelOctober 9, 1961August 2, 1985
  • Finishers

    • Clawhold (October 9, 1961 - August 2, 1985)
    • Kneeling Brainbuster (October 9, 1961 - August 2, 1985)
  • Theme Songs

    • Theme Song"Double Dawn" by Jim Johnston - with Blackjack Lanza - Team (June 6, 1975 - November 18, 1975)

Titles & Accomplishments

  • Career Awards

  • World Wrestling Entertainment

  • American Wrestling Association

    • 1 AWA World Tag Team Championship (with Bobby Duncum)
    • 1 AWA British Empire Heavyweight Championship

    Georgia Championship Wrestling

    • 1 NWA Georgia Television Championship

    NWA Big Time Wrestling

    • 1 NWA American Heavyweight Championship
    • 1 NWA American Tag Team Championship (with Blackjack Mulligan)
    • 3 NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version)

    World Wrestling Association

    • 1 WWA World Tag Team Championship (with Blackjack Mulligan)

Teams & Relations

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