Sad news from the world of pro wrestling today as WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan has passed away at age 73.
Mulligan (real name Robert Windham) made a name for himself in the 1970s in the AWA and the then-WWWF as one half of the legendary Blackjacks tag team, alongside Blackjack Lanza. The duo was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Here’s a little more from the WWE.com announcement:
Considered to be one of the toughest competitors of his day — only his rival Andre the Giant could overshadow the 6-foot-9, 345-pound stud from Eagle Pass, Texas — Mulligan served as a U.S. Marine in Guam and played for the New York Jets before gaining fame in the ring. With his signature all-black gear — from his cowboy hat to his leather glove — and his thick western mustache, Mulligan cut the figure of a dangerous outlaw in the ring and proved every bit as treacherous with his feared iron claw hold.
Mulligan was hospitalized in 2015 after suffering a heart attack, and had been dealing with health issues for several years. He leaves behind a great family legacy in pro wrestling as the father of Barry and Kendall Windham, the father-in-law of “IRS” Mike Rotunda, and the grandfather of current WWE Superstars Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas.
We send our condolences to the Windham family and everyone affected by the lost. If you aren’t familiar with the Blackjacks or Blackjack Mulligan’s work, here are a few clips. Rest in power, Blackjack.
