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Blackjack Mulligan

Mulligan arrived in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in the 1970's. Mulligan donned black trunks, a black hat, a black fingerless glove, and used the iron claw submission hold.

When he arrived in the WWWF, he was managed by The Grand Wizard. 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.

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.

Once he healed, Mulligan returned to the Midwest and tagged with Lanza to form The Blackjacks. The duo went on to capture the WWWF World Tag Team Championship in August 1975.

After a brief absence from the company, Mulligan returned to the WWF as a full-time performer in 1984, hosting an interview segment titled Blackjack's Barbecue on WWF All-Star Wrestling, the counterpart to Roddy Piper's Piper's Pit.

In 1986, Mulligan wrestled under a mask as "Big Machine", part of a team with "The Giant Machine" (André the Giant) and "Super Machine" (Demolition Ax) 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.

After leaving the WWF, Mulligan competed in World Class Championship Wrestling, wrestling against Bruiser BrodyChris Adams and Kevin and Lance Von Erich.

Mulligan and his Blackjacks partner, Jack Lanza were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006 by their manager, Bobby Heenan.

On April 7, 2016, Mulligan passed away.

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