Johnny Mantell

Last updated: February 3, 2019

Title History

  • AWA (Mississippi affiliate) Tag Team titles w/Tom Jones (1977);
  • NWA (Los Angeles) Americas Heavyweight title defeating Chavo Guerrero (????, 1980);
  • Jules Strongbow Scientific Trophy holder the entire time was in LA for Mike LaBell as the Hood.
  • Continental Heavyweight title -as The Hood- defeating Chavo Guerrero Sr. (1980)
  • Continental Heavyweight title -as The Hood- defeating Chavo Guerrero Sr. (1980)
  • Mid South Wrestling Louisiana Heavyweight title defeating Jake Roberts (1981);
  • WCCW (World Class Championship Wrestling) Televison title defeating Jimmy Garvin (October 31, 1983);
  • GWF (Global Wrestling Federation) Tag Team titles w/Black Bart defeating Booker T. & Stevie Ray (October 23, 1992);
  • NAWA Heavyweight title defeating ?????? ();
  • AWA Tag Team titles w/Hollywood John Tatum defeating ???? & ???? ();

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

  • Johnny Mantell is the brother of fellow wrestler Ken Mantell
  • February 1976: John Lusk wrestled his first match in Bakersfield, California – a win vs. Mr. Mexico III..
  • January 1976 ? Summer 1976: Cowboy Johnny Mantell worked for Hollywood Wrestling as “Mr. USA” for Mike LaBell..
  • Summer 1976: Cowboy Johnny Mantell worked for Mid South Wrestling (LeRoy MrGirk & Bill Watts) in Louisiana..
  • February 1977 – February 1978: Cowboy Johnny Mantell worked for an AWA affiliate in Vicksburg, MS
  • January 1978 – August 1986: Cowboy Johnny Mantell worked for New Japan / All Japan in Tokyo, Japan
  • ~~~Wrestled in the Junior Heavyweight Division, doing 5 week-long tours, wrestling 5 to 7 times per week..
  • ~~~Johnny Mantell was a Finalist in 3 of 5 tournaments for Jr. Heavyweight Title with New Japan Wrestling..
  • March 1978 – January 1979: Cowboy Johnny Mantell worked for Don Owens’ Northwest Sports in Portland, Oregon..
  • Johnny Mantell wrestled as ‘The Hood” in Los Angeles for Mike LaBell and had the year long undefeated streak..
  • ~~~The undefeated streak was ended during a feud with Tom Prichard but The Hood was never unmasked..
  • Johnny Mantell left Los Angeles and went to work for his booking brother Ken Mantel in World Class..
  • the “Pride of Montague County, TX” moniker was given to him by Bill Mercer 1982 in World Class Championship Wrestling..
  • During this time, Johnny Mantell also worked for Paul Boesch in Houston and Joe Blanchard in San Antonio..
  • 2001: Johnny Mantell now trains race horses on his ranch in Montague County, Texas..
  • November 12, 2005: Johnny Mantell was involved in an accident when his vehicle was slammed into by another car..
  • ~~~Injured in a MVA when the SUV he was a passenger in was forced off the road, then rolled 6 times, where the left side of his head was “de-gloved” by Highway 287.
  • Johnny was the owner/manager of the Lusk Ranch, which unfortunately burned in the North Texas Wildfires on April 9, 2009..
  • April 21, 1990 – 5 Star Wrestling TV: Johnny Mantell & The Hanging Judge defeated The Texas Knights (??? & ???).
  • April 24, 1992 – GWF TV Taping: Johnny Mantel defeated Chaz.
  • April 24, 1992 – GWF TV Taping: Eddie Gilbert, John Tatum & Rod Price defeated Angel Of Death, Barry Horowitz & Johnny Mantell.
  • May 1, 1992 – GWF TV Taping: Johnny Mantell defeated Brian Henning.
  • May 1, 1992 – GWF TV Taping: Johnny Mantel defeated Ed Robinson.
  • January 29, 1993 – GWF TV Taping: Mike Davis defeated Johnny Mantel.
  • April 30, 1993 – GWF TV Taping: Stevie Ray defeated Johnny Mantel to retain the heavyweight title.
  • May 7, 1993 – GWF: Johnny Mantel defeated John Hawk.
  • September 1, 1995 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Jimmy James.
  • September 8, 1995 – CWA: Johnny Mantell vs. Scott Putski ended in a draw.
  • September 15, 1995 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Doug Masters.
  • September 22, 1995 – CWA: Scott Putski defeated Johnny Mantel.
  • September 29, 1995 – CWA: Bill Irwin & Johnny Mantell defeated High Voltage (Bo Vegas & Devon Michaels).
  • October 27, 1995 – CWA: Sam Houston defeated Johnny Mantel.
  • November 3, 1995 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Sam Houston.
  • November 10, 1995 – CWA: Bill Irwin & Johnny Mantell defeated Bull Pain & Firebreaker Chip.
  • November 17, 1995 – CWA: High Voltage (Bo Vegas & Devon Michaels) defeated Johnny Mantell & JR Ryder.
  • November 24, 1995 – CWA: Johnny Mantel vs. Sam Houston ended in a no contest.
  • December 15, 1995 – CWA: Scott Putski defeated Johnny Mantell by referee’s decision in the 1st round.
  • December 22, 1995 – CWA: High Voltage (Bo Vegas & Devon Michaels) defeated Bill Irwin & Johnny Mantell to retain the tag team titles.
  • January 12, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantell & Sam Houston defeated The Sicilian Stallions (Guido Falcone & Vito Mussolini).
  • March 15, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Bill Irwin.
  • March 22, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantell defeated John Hawk by count-out.
  • March 29, 1996 – CWA: Bobby Duncum Jr., Johnny Mantell & Sam Houston defeated Rod Price & The Sicilian Stallions (Guido Falcone & Vito Mussolini).
  • April 19, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Bill Irwin.
  • April 26, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Rod Price by disqualification.
  • May 3, 1996 – CWA: Bill Irwin & Rod Price defeated Charlie Norris & Johnny Mantell.
  • May 17, 1996 – CWA: High Voltage (Bo Vegas & Devon Michaels) & Johnny Mantell defeated The Sicilian Stallions (Guido Falcone & Vito Mussolini) & Tim Brooks.
  • May 31, 1996 – CWA: The Sicilian Stallions (Guido Falcone & Vito Mussolini) defeated Bobby Duncum Jr. & Johnny Mantell to retain the tag team titles.
  • June 7, 1996 – CWA TV Taping: Johnny Mantell defeated Treach Phillips Jr..
  • June 21, 1996 – CWA TV Taping: Johnny Mantell defeated Tony Colletti.
  • June 21, 1996 – CWA TV Taping: Hector Guerrero & Johnny Mantell defeated Las Panteras Negras (??? & ???).
  • July 12, 1996 – CWA:  Bill Irwin & Scott Braddock defeated Johnny Mantell & Tony Colletti.
  • July 19, 1996 – CWA TV Taping: High Voltage (Bo Vegas & Devon Michaels) & Johnny Mantell defeated Bill Irwin, Mike Blackheart & Scott Braddock.
  • July 19, 1996 – CWA TV Taping: Johnny Mantell defeated Mike Blackheart.
  • July 20, 1996 – NWA New Jersey: Lester Muhammad (Rasta The Voodoo Man) & Ralph Soto defeated Cousin Luke & Johnny Mantell.
  • July 21, 1996 – NWA New Jersey: Johnny Mantel defeated Ace Darling.
  • July 27, 1996 – CWA: Johnny Mantel defeated Larry Green.
nickname: "Cowboy", "The Pride of Montague County"
hometown: Originally: Chino, California
Moved to Ft Worth, Texas
Currently: Montague County, Texas
height: 6'1"
weight: 245 lbs
trained by: Chavo Guerrero Sr.,
Roddy Piper,
Dory Funk,
Tom Jones
debut: 1977-August 6, 2005
previous names: Hood,
Johnny Boyd,
Destroyer #1,
John Lusk
finishing move(s): Russian Leg Sweep,
Forward Pile Driver
favorite move(s): Fireman's Carry
notable feuds: Chavo Guerrero Sr.,
Tommy Prichard,
Roddy Piper (Los Angeles),
Paul Orndorff,
Terry Orndorff,
Junk Yard Dog,
Jimmy Garvin,
Chris Adams,
Missing Link,
Sam Houston
gender: Male
status: Living
type: Single

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