A wrestling giant inside and outside the ring has tragically passed

He was 73 years old.

News circulated this week that Robert "Blackjack Mulligan" Windham, a legendary wrestler most popular in the 1970s and early 1980s had passed away after being in poor health for some time.

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From 1967 to 1988 Mulligan wrestled across the world in federations such as the WWF, AWA and NWA.

Standing at 6'9, Mulligan was known as a giant in the ring who often faced off against the legendary Bruno Sammartino.

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According to an interview with Mulligan, he headlined the first wrestling event at the new Madison Square Garden against Sammartino in 1969.

In an interview with a wrestling website before his death, Mulligan said that despite some strife along the way, he had led a "blessed" life.

"Life has really been super to me...I've had such a blessed life. God blessed me...I mean, I was a little kind from a west Texas town...and got every dream that he ever wanted. I mean...it's amazing. Even my life today...there are some super highs and some lows—but even to this day, I'm very blessed."

Mulligan was 73 years old.

*via RARE*