Mike Hallick

Mike Halac (May 14, 1968 – July 11, 2023) was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-1990s under the ring name Mantaur, and briefly as Tank.

Professional wrestling career

Catch Wrestling Association (1991–1994) In 1991, under the ring name Bruiser Mastino, Halac traveled to Germany to work for the Catch Wrestling Association. He debuted on November 11, losing a World Heavyweight Championship match to Rambo. He remained with the promotion until late 1994 when he returned to the United States to perform for the World Wrestling Federation.

World Wrestling Federation (1994–1995) Halac wrestled his first two matches as Bruiser Mastino, defeating Nikolai Volkoff on August 25 and 26, 1994, at house shows. A few months later on the January 7, 1995, episode of Superstars of Wrestling (taped on December 10, 1994), Halac debuted in the World Wrestling Federation as Mantaur, defeating Walter Slow. The Mantaur character was that of a Minotaur who charged, trampled and mooed at opponents. Soon after debuting, he acquired Jim Cornette as his manager. Mantaur then began a small winning streak, defeating a series of jobbers. He got a shot at Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon, and lost the match by disqualification due to interference by Jeff Jarrett, who was involved in a feud with Ramon at that time. Mantaur made his first PPV appearance at the 1995 Royal Rumble, where he competed in the Royal Rumble match and lasted nine minutes before being eliminated by Lex Luger.

Mantaur was defeated by Bret Hart during a taping of Wrestling Challenge in Moline, Illinois, on April 26, 1995. Mantaur entered the 1995 King of the Ring tournament but was pinned by Bob "Spark Plug" Holly in a qualifying match. In his final televised WWF match on June 6, 1995 (aired June 24), he lost to Bam Bam Bigelow as part of a push to enhance the popularity of Bigelow as a babyface. Halac made his last WWF appearance as a lumberjack in a lumberjack match between Sycho Sid and Diesel at In Your House 2.

Extreme Championship Wrestling; Catch Wrestling Association (1995–1996) After leaving the WWF, Halac, as Bruiser Mastino, joined Extreme Championship Wrestling. He debuted there on December 1, 1995, with a victory over The Dark Ninja. Eight days later, he lost to Hack Meyers in December to Dismember.

United States Wrestling Association; World Wrestling Federation (1997)

Halac then worked in the United States Wrestling Association as Tank, a masked member of The Truth Commission. He lost the belt back to Lawler in a rematch seven days later. The title change was declared invalid, however, as Tank was not one of the official holders of the World Tag Team Title. He also competed in the European Wrestling Promotion (EWP), defeating Christian Eckstein on November 25. In September 2016, Halac returned to Germany for European Wrestling Promotion where he teamed with Thunder against P. N. News and Christian Eckstein in a no contest. 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.

Halac's last match was on April 7, 2019, he wrestled as Mantaur at GCW's Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part 2 in a Clusterfuck Battle Royal in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was eliminated by Cecil Nyx.

Personal life Halac was the younger cousin of American professional wrestler P. N. News.

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 was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. The case was dismissed by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant in September 2018.

Illness and death Halac had type 2 diabetes. He died in his sleep on July 11, 2023, at the age of 55. Earlier that day he had fallen and injured his back. His daughter announced his death on social media.

Championships and accomplishments Catch Wrestling Association Catch Cup Champion 1992 Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI ranked him #235 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1995 United States Wrestling Association USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)