Vale Mike Halac, AKA Mantaur 1968-2023
On July 11th 2023, Mike Halac, most commonly known to wrestling fans as Bruiser Mastino, Tank, and Mantaur, passed away in his sleep at the age of 55.
Halac appeared for the World Wrestling Federation periodically beginning in 1994. He would appear as Mantaur on WWF television in January 1995. He departed the company in July of that year and appeared for ECW under the ring name of Bruiser Mastino in December.
Halac would again return to the WWF in 1996 as Goldust’s Bodyguard, during the former’s feud with the Ultimate Warrior. He would leave once again before joining the Truth Commission as Tank in the USWA in 1997. Halac would win his first and only singles championship by defeating Jerry “The King” Lawler for the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship. He would hold the belt for seven days before Lawler reclaimed it.
Halac’s third and final appearance for the WWF was in June of 1997 as part of the Truth Commission. He would appear on the independent scene throughout his career afterwards up to 2019.
News Writer. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Lifelong fan, admirer of the old school, born in the new age. Storytelling is a big passion of mine and professional wrestling itself is just one giant book. Naturally, it drew me in and has kept me close since before I could walk, talk and drop an elbow on my teddy bear!
