CAUSE OF DEATH FOR FORMER WWF REFEREE JACK LOTZ

Former WWWF and WWF referee John "Jack" Lotz passed away this week due to complications of COVID-19, according to his daughter Elizabeth on social media.

Lotz passed away on Saturday 4/18 at the age of 86.

A native of Yonkers, NY, Lotz fought in the Korean War before entering professional wrestling. He refereed for over three decades, primarily for the WWWF and WWF. Lotz officiated the first three Wrestlemania events. Lotz was one of the top referees for the New York State Athletic Commission (so they, not WWE would book him for events) and was their top regular referee at Madison Square Garden. He counted the pinfall when Bob Backlund defeated Superstar Billy Graham for the WWWF Championship and oversaw the 9/22/80 bout featuring NWA World Champion Harley Race vs. WWF Champion Backlund.

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