Who Is Blackjack Mulligan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on November 25, 1942, Blackjack Mulligan was an influential figure in the world of professional wrestling and American football. He passed away on April 7, 2016, leaving behind a significant legacy in sports entertainment. Mulligan was known for his formidable character in the ring and was a part of various wrestling promotions throughout his career, including the WWF, where he influenced generations of athletes and fans alike.
| Occupation | Football Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1942 |
| Age | 73 Years |
| Birth Place | Sweetwater, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 April, 2016 |
| Died Place | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
Popularity
Blackjack Mulligan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Blackjack Mulligan stood tall at an impressive height of 6 feet 9 inches (or approximately 206 cm), which contributed to his larger-than-life persona in the wrestling world. His weight was notably around 305 pounds (about 138 kg) during his wrestling peak, showcasing the muscular build that made him a formidable opponent in the ring. While specific body measurements can be difficult to determine posthumously, his frame was undoubtedly a significant factor in his success as a wrestler and athlete.
When he arrived in the WWWF, he was managed by The Grand Wizard. Early stills of the two actually identify him as "Big Bob Windham". Mulligan went on to great success in the Northeast and was an early challenger to newly crowned champion Pedro Morales.
His push was interrupted when he was slashed in the thigh by a fan at the Boston Garden and required hundreds of stitches to close the wound. The culprit was actually captured by Gorilla Monsoon, who threw him at the ringside police – who promptly let him go because they thought "it was part of the show".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
During his lifetime, Blackjack Mulligan was married to his wife Wanda Mulligan, with whom he shared a family. He fathered several children, including wrestling stars Barry Windham and Kendall Windham. Mulligan's family has continued to be involved in the wrestling industry, furthering his legacy within the sport. His relationship with his family remained strong throughout his life, and they have often spoken fondly of his influence both personally and professionally.
Robert Deroy Windham (November 25, 1942 – April 7, 2016), better known by his ring name Blackjack Mulligan, was an American professional wrestler and American football player. He was the father of wrestlers Barry and Kendall Windham, father-in-law of Mike Rotunda, and the maternal grandfather of Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Blackjack Mulligan's net worth was estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, primarily accrued through his career in professional wrestling and American football. His earnings from wrestling matches, merchandise sales, and appearances contributed significantly to his financial status. Although precise figures regarding his salary can fluctuate depending on the source, it is evident that his impact on the wrestling industry translated well financially.
Before he left to recover from his wound, Mulligan participated in a Madison Square Garden match against Bruno Sammartino, who was making his first appearance at the arena since the end of his nearly eight-year championship reign. Mulligan attacked Sammartino before the bell.
Sammartino quickly recovered, slammed Mulligan twice and pinned him in 64 seconds. In wrestling terms, everybody "got over" – the building was sold out to the delight of promoter Vincent J.
McMahon, Sammartino made a strong return to New York and Mulligan, who was in no condition to work an actual match, received a large pay-off to aid his recovery.
Career, Business, and Investments
Blackjack Mulligan's career began in the sports world as a football player before transitioning into professional wrestling in the 1970s. His wrestling career saw him gain notoriety for his massive character and skilled performances in the ring. Apart from his wrestling career, Mulligan was involved in various business ventures and appeared for promotional events and wrestling conventions, which helped keep his legacy alive.
His influence extended beyond the ring, with many young wrestlers citing Mulligan as a key inspiration. He played a vital role in mentoring the next generation of wrestlers, ensuring that his wrestling philosophy and style lived on.
In November and December 1970, Windham (as "Bob Windham") wrestled in Japan for the International Wrestling Enterprise promotion as part of its Big Winter Series. Teaming with Larry Hennig, he defeated Great Kusatsu and Thunder Sugiyama in a two-out-of-three falls match to win the IWA World Tag Team Championship. Kusatsu and Sugiyama regained the titles from them several weeks later.
Social Network
Though Blackjack Mulligan is no longer with us, his legacy continues, especially on social media platforms. Fans and wrestling aficionados maintain a presence on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, celebrating his achievements and advocating for the memory of his career. Various fan pages, dedicated to his life and work, discuss the impact he made in professional wrestling and honor his contributions to the sport.
In 1986, Mulligan wrestled under a mask as "Big Machine", part of a team with "The Giant Machine" (André the Giant) and "Super Machine" (Bill Eadie) collectively known as The Machines. They won several high-profile matches against the Heenan family, later recruiting members such as 'Hulk Machine' and 'Piper Machine'.
After that angle ended, Mulligan wrestled for the WWF as himself, until he finally left in 1987. Later on, Jack traveled to Dallas and competed in World Class Championship Wrestling, wrestling against Bruiser Brody, Chris Adams and Kevin and Lance Von Erich.
Mulligan also returned to Florida in 1987 to fight against the Funk brothers, teaming with Kevin Sullivan.
Education
Details about Blackjack Mulligan’s early life and educational background are relatively scarce. However, it’s known that he attended the University of Tampa, where his athletic talents began to shine. His education in sports and training undoubtedly played a part in shaping his future career, both on the football field and in professional wrestling.
As a young man, Windham played football at Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso. Windham served a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Guam. He then went on to play for the New York Jets during the 1966 pre-season and received tryouts with the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos.
