Michael Lozanski (November 13, 1968 – December 19, 2003) was a Canadian professional wrestler who spent his career in Western Canada, Mexico, Japan, Memphis and Extreme Championship Wrestling in Philadelphia.[3] He also competed as Mike Anthony and Tiger Canadianese.
| Mike Lozansky | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Joseph Lozanski |
| Born | 13 November 1968 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | 19 December 2003 (aged 35)[1] Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Mike Lozansky Mike Anthony Tiger Canadiaense Canadian Tiger |
| Billed height | 5"10 |
| Billed weight | 189 lb (86 kg)[2] |
| Trained by | Jesse Hernandez |
| Debut | 1989 |
| Retired | 2002 |
Professional wrestling career
Lozansky began his professional wrestling career in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta where he worked for Stampede Wrestling. Also worked in the Maritimes, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
In 1990, he worked for Steve Rickard in New Zealand. Then in 1991, he began working in Mexico as Tiger Candianese and later that year made his debut in Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling.[4]
Chris Jericho gives Lozansky praise for getting Jericho into Mexico in 1992.[5][6] The two would become a tag team where Jericho got his name Lionheart.[7]
In 1993, he made his debut in Memphis, Tennessee as Mike Anthony for United States Wrestling Association where he became a two time USWA World Tag Team Champion with Moondog Spike and Jeff Gaylord.[8]
Lozansky made his debut in 1993 in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling Council where he teamed with Doby Gills for the tag team titles in 1994.
In 1995, Lozansky returned to Japan to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling.
He worked at the Stu Hart 50th Anniversary Show in Calgary where he teamed with King Lau losing to Gerry Morrow and the Cuban Assassin.[9][10]
In 1996, he worked for Catch Wrestling Association in Germany.
From 1997 to 1998 he worked for World Championship Wrestling[11][12] and the World Wrestling Federation in 1998.[13]
In 1998 he worked for Extreme Championship Wrestling based in Philadelphia. He lost to Mikey Whipwreck at A Matter of Respect (1998) pay-per-view.[14][15] He lost to ECW World Television Champion Rob Van Dam for a title shot on ECW Hardcore TV.[16][17] He left ECW in early 1999.
Later in his career he worked in the independents in the States and Mexico.
He lost to Val Venis on the March 4, 2002 edition of Monday Night Raw.[18]
Death
Lozanky died on December 19, 2003, from a heart attack in his sleep at his home in Calgary. He was 35 years old.[19][20][21]
Friend and colleague Moondog Manson made a tribute on his website to Lozansky a couple of days later after his death[22]
Championships and accomplishments
- United States Wrestling Association
- USWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Moondog Spike (1) and Jeff Gaylord (1)[23][24]
- Wrestling International New Generations
- World Wrestling Council
- WWC World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Doby Gills (2)
- WWC World Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[26]
Luchas de Apuestas record
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villano IV (mask) | Tigre Canadiense (mask) | Naucalpan, State of Mexico | Live event | October 20, 1991 | [27] |
| Tigre Canadiense (hair) | Tamba (career) | Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico | Live event | February 28, 1992 | [28] |
References
General
- Nevada, Vance (2022). (Un)Controlled Chaos: Canada's Remarkable Professional Wrestling Legacy. FriesenPress. ISBN 9781039154797.
Specific