Former WWWF and WWF referee John “Jack” Lotz passed away on Saturday, April 18 from complications from COVID-19. He was 86 years old.
Lotz was one of the top professional wrestling referees for the New York State Athletic Commission, which would put him on all the cards for WWF at the time. Lotz was the referee for many of the most famous early matches in Madison Square Garden, including counting the pinfall in the Hulk Hogan vs. Iron Sheik WWF Championship match, which saw Hogan win the title and Hulkamania begin. Lotz also officiated on the first three WrestleMania events.
Lotz was also a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Screen Actors Guild, appearing in the movie “Raging Bull” and eight episodes of “The Sopranos.”
On behalf of the staff of Wrestleview, we would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Jack Lotz during this difficult time.