WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling icon Blackjack Lanza has passed away aged 86.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon announced his death on Wednesday and led the tributes to the man who found success as part of The Blackjacks tag team.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jack Lanza,” McMahon wrote on his social media pages. “He was a man’s man, respected and beloved by all. His loyalty and dedication will never be forgotten.”
No official cause of death has been disclosed.
Lanza made his professional wrestling debut in 1961 and earned fame when he teamed up with Blackjack Mulligan to form The Blackjacks.
The duo became one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling, starring in McMahon’s World Wide Wrestling Federation in the 1970s.
After retiring in 1985, Lanza was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016 alongside Mulligan.
Across his illustrious career, Lanza had runs in the WWE, the AWA, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, WWA, the NWA, GCW and other promotions. He was a one-time WWWF World Tag Team Champion, a one-time WWA World Tag Team Champion and a one-time NWA American Tag Team Champion as part of The Blackjacks.
Following his retirement, Lanza later worked for WWE as a road agent and producer.
After learning of his death, WWE icon Triple H, whose real name is Paul Michael Levesque, posted a photo of himself with Lanza with an accompanying caption: “The legendary Jack Lanza…One of the greatest minds in the business, thank you for letting me sit under the learning tree…”
Legendary commentator Jim Ross, a WWE Hall of Famer whose voice is a key part of wrestling history, also paid tribute to the former star.
“Just heard from old Winnipeg friend Bob Holliday that Jack Lanza has passed away at the age of 86,” Ross wrote on Twitter. “Jack was our lead agent during the Attitude Era. Helluva hand.”
AEW star Matt Hardy followed Ross’ lead and shared how Lanza helped him get a foothold in the industry.
“Jack Lanza was the lead road agent when my brother & I first started full time with WWE,” Hardy said. “Jack treated us great & taught us so much about working & surviving on the road.
“Saddened to hear about Jack’s passing. My thoughts go out to his family & loved ones.”
