Mike Halac (1968-2023)
Alias:
Bruiser Mastino
Madd Mustafa
Mafiosi Mastino
Mantaur
Tank
Terminator Mastino
Birthplace:
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Born:
May 14, 1968
Died:
July 11, 2023
is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-1990s under the ring name Mantaur, and later worked there as Tank. In April 1996, Halac returned to the WWF playing the role of Goldust's unnamed bodyguard.[2] He appeared with Goldust at In Your House 7 in his corner for his match against the Ultimate Warrior. After Goldust lost, the bodyguard attacked Warrior but was overpowered and body slammed.[15] United States Wrestling Association and second return to WWF (1997) Halac then worked in the United States Wrestling Association as Tank, a member of The Truth Commission where he wore a mask. He won the Unified World Heavyweight Championship, his first and only wrestling title, on March 15, 1997 after defeating then-champion Jerry Lawler He lost the belt back to Lawler in a rematch seven days later. Later that spring, Tank was involved in a controversy surrounding the World Tag Team Championship. While The Interrogator and Recon (Tank's teammates in The Truth Commission) held the title, Tank substituted for The Interrogator in one match and his team lost the title to Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. The title change was declared invalid, however, as Tank was not one of the official holders of the World Tag Team Title. He returned to the WWF in June 1997 with the Truth Commission as he fought as Tank. He was on two Shotgun Saturday Night episodes until his release later that summer. Second return to CWA and the independent circuit (1998, 2000–2001) Halac returned to the CWA in September 1998, again as Bruiser Mastino.He wrestled three matches for NWA Germany later that year, winning the first against Franz Schumann on September 22, losing the second to Ulf Herman September 23, and losing the third to Shumann on December 2. He also competed in the European Wrestling Promotion (EWP), defeating Christian Eckstein on November 25. Halac returned to the EWP on May 18, 2001, winning a triple threat match against Eric Schwarz and Martin Nolte. The next day, he defeated Big Tiger Steele.After many many years of being out of wrestling, Halac decided to get back in the ring for one last time. On June 2009, Halac along with his cousin PN News promoted an independent tour entitled "Beach Brawl 09" with 2 shows at Fun Plex in Omaha, Nebraska and concluding in Hartington, Nebraska. The tour included Alex Shelley, Homicide, Matt Morgan, Lenny Lane & Chad Collyer. On the first show of the tour, Halac (as Brusier Mastino) teamed with News (as Cannonball Grizzly) as Big O Incorporated in a winning effort against Matt Morgan & Homicide. In May 2015, as "The Turkish Terror" Madd Mustafa, he won the American Heritage Wrestling Heavyweight Championship at their inaugural event in Adel, Iowa. On November 28, 2018, Mantaur was an inaugural inductee into the Omaha Pro Wrestling Hall Of Fame at the PWP Live "Wrestlerama" event at The Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha. Personal life In July 2016, Halac was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit is litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE.