Malcolm Kirk

Prior to professional wrestling, Kirk was a coal miner, and professional rugby league player. He played 35 first team matches as a {{rlp|lf}} for Featherstone Rovers making his début on 23 April 1955, playing from the 1954–55 season to the 1957–58 seasonBailey, Ron (1956) The Official History Of Featherstone Rovers R.L.F.C.. Wakefield Express. {{ASIN|B00O1TLDPC}} scoring one try. He played three matches for Wakefield Trinity, making his début during December 1957, playing during the 1957–58 season, played two matches for Castleford during the 1960–1961 season, and he also played for Doncaster, where he was a teammate of another future professional wrestler, Ted Heath.{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/wwe/13-wrestlers-died-ring?page=8 |title=Mal 'King Kong' Kirk |publisher=WhatCulture |date=24 August 1987 |access-date=10 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425235520/http://whatculture.com/wwe/13-wrestlers-died-ring?page=8 |archive-date=25 April 2016 }}

Kirk started wrestling as "Mucky" Mal Kirk after his rugby league career. After a period of time spent wrestling in Germany, where he tagged with Baron von Raschke,{{cite web|url=http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=23978 |title=Show @ Bremen |publisher=Wrestlingdata.com |access-date=2017-05-18}} Kirk returned to the United Kingdom, now heavier and bald, wrestling as Kojak Kirk then Killer Kirk before changing his ring name to "King Kong" Kirk. Kirk always wrestled as a "heel" (bad guy) and often tagged with the superheavyweight Giant Haystacks in tag-team matches against blue-eyes (good guys). Kirk's work rose to its prominence in the 1970s and 1980s due to the popularity of televised wrestling in the United Kingdom and he was recognised as a consistent heel.{{cite web|first=Dean |last=Siemon |url=http://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/gone-too-soon-20-wrestlers-who-died-during-their-careers/ |title=Gone Too Soon: 20 Wrestlers Who Died During Their Careers |work=The Sportster |date=2015-11-13 |access-date=2017-05-16}} Unlike a number of wrestlers at the time, he didn't rely on a wrestling gimmick during his time in professional wrestling. Kirk instead used his physical size and bald head in a manner of appearance which was viewed as legitimately intimidating.{{cite web|author=admin |url=http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2013/05/26/mick-mcmanus-a-%E2%80%98subversive-renegade%E2%80%99-in-era-of-haystacks-kendo-and-king-kong-kirk/ |title=Mick McManus: A 'subversive renegade' in era of Haystacks, Kendo and King Kong Kirk |work=Sporting Intelligence |date=2013-05-26 |access-date=2017-05-16}} However he was viewed by his peers as being a good worker. Canadian wrestler Bret Hart said about his first match with Kirk: "Kirk turned out to be a great worker and bump-taker, and when he collapsed on top of me, he was as light as if he'd covered me with a blanket." Despite being a heel, outside of the ring he was good with children and made himself approachable.{{cite web|url=http://fightsday.com/13-wrestlers-who-died-in-the-ring/ |title=13 Wrestlers Who Died In The Ring |publisher=Fightsday.com |access-date=2017-05-18}}

During this time, Kirk also worked as a bouncer simultaneously with being a professional wrestler.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1400 |title=Mal Kirk |publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database |date=24 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017}} He predominantly wrestled in the United Kingdom however he also wrestled in Germany, where he wrestled the future WWE Hall of Famer André the Giant,{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=100568 |title=Euro-Catch-Show |publisher=Cagematch.net |date=10 December 1979 |access-date=10 May 2017}} and in Canada for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling. He also wrestled future World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation wrestlers such as Bret "Hitman" Hart, Fit Finlay and William Regal.{{cite book | first =William | last =Regal |author-link=William Regal | title =Walking a Golden Mile | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2010 | isbn =978-1-4516-0447-4 | chapter = 3 }} His reputation in professional wrestling had also spread to the United States, where he was featured in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in 1986 as a result.{{cite book | first =Dave | last =Meltzer |author-link=Dave Meltzer | title =The Wrestling Observer's Who's who in Pro Wrestling | year = 1986 | issn =1083-9593 | page = 66 }}

In 1979 he featured in an Italian film, Io sto con gli ippopotami with Bud Spencer and Terence Hill.{{cite book|author1=Laura Morandini |author2=Luisa Morandini |author3=Morando Morandini |title=Il Morandini 2011. Dizionario dei film.|year=2010 |publisher=Zanichelli, 2010|isbn=978-88-08-22722-5}} Kirk later came to dislike wrestling and wanted to retire and run a pub with his wife.{{cite web|url=http://newstagers.co.uk/have-a-good-week-till-next-week-the-writers-diary/ |title=Have a Good Week Till Next Week – The Writer's Diary |publisher=New Stagers |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309010042/http://newstagers.co.uk/have-a-good-week-till-next-week-the-writers-diary/ |archive-date= 9 March 2015 }}

On 23 August 1987, Kirk died following a tag team match between Kirk and King Kendo against Big Daddy and Greg Valentine at the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth. The match took place as part of a storyline where Kirk was feuding with Big Daddy.{{cite web |url=http://www.providr.com/12-wrestlers-you-didnt-know-died-while-performing-in-the-ring-2 |title=12 Wrestlers You Didn't Know Died While Performing In The Ring |publisher=Providr.com |date=1999-03-31 |access-date=2017-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031011943/http://www.providr.com/12-wrestlers-you-didnt-know-died-while-performing-in-the-ring-2 |archive-date=31 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} He told his wife when he left his house the day he was due to wrestle the match: "I don't want to go; I hate this job". The match lasted for fifteen minutes. The finish of the match was Big Daddy performing his "Big Daddy Splashdown" finisher on Kirk, where he would jump up and land horizontally across his opponent's chest (which is commonly known as a splash), and hold Kirk down for the pinfall. After pinning Kirk to win the match, Big Daddy got up but Kirk remained on the canvas and started to turn purple. Big Daddy noticed there was something wrong and told his cornerman. The promoter Max Crabtree and others got into the ring and attempted CPR. However, because of Kirk's size, they and the St John's Ambulance personnel present were unable to work Kirk's chest.{{cite book | first =Simon | last =Garfield |author-link=Simon Garfield | title =The Wrestling | publisher = Faber & Faber | year = 2013 | isbn =978-0-571-26545-9 | chapter = 13 }} The ring had to be dismantled, with eight men required to get Kirk on a stretcher and into the ambulance{{cite magazine | title =Weekly Almanac | magazine =Jet | publisher =Jet Magazine: Johnson Publishing Company | volume = 72 | date = 14 September 1987 | issn =0021-5996 | page = 19 }} but he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jpzzv8/fake-sport-real-death-the-bizarre-relationship-between-professional-wrestling-and-fatality |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020044609/https://www.vice.com/en/article/jpzzv8/fake-sport-real-death-the-bizarre-relationship-between-professional-wrestling-and-fatality |archive-date=20 October 2020 |title=Fake Sport, Real Death: The Bizarre Relationship Between Pro Wrestling and Fatality |work=Vice Sports |last=Halls |first=Ben |date=29 April 2015 |access-date=9 May 2017}}

Big Daddy went to a nearby police station accompanied by the promoter Max Crabtree for questioning by police but was not charged with any offence.{{cite news|author=United Press International |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-24-mn-2066-story.html |title=336-Lb. Wrestler's 'Splashdown' Kills 350-Lb. Opponent |newspaper=LA Times |date=24 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026173122/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-24/news/mn-2066_1_wrestler-king-kong-kirk |archive-date=26 October 2015 }} During this time and subsequent media interviews later, Big Daddy maintained kayfabe, and spoke of the match in terms of being a legitimate contest. Big Daddy later wrestled the next day claiming it was what Kirk would have wanted.{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/25/Heavyweight-professional-wrestler-Big-Daddy-made-a-triumphant-return/1329556862400/ |title=Heavyweight professional wrestler Big Daddy made a triumphant return … |publisher=UPI |date=25 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017}} However Big Daddy did say "as long as I live, I'll never forget seeing him laid down there on the canvas instead of on his feet raging and flying about and that will stay with me".{{Cite episode| title = 25 August 1987 News report| series = BBC News at Six| network = BBC| station = BBC 1| date = 25 August 1987| language = en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-41653471 |title=Daughter seeks memories of wrestler father Mal "King Kong" Kirk |work=BBC News |date=2017-10-18 |access-date=2017-10-18}}

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into Kirk's death.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/139606855/ |title=Sports |page=38 |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |via=Newspapers.com |date=26 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017}} The subsequent postmortem and inquiry revealed that Kirk had a previous heart condition and could have had the heart attack at any time but was more likely to have triggered owing to the physical nature of professional wrestling and found for a verdict of death by natural causes. Pathologist Norman Ball testified that Kirk had six unnoticed minor heart attacks prior to the one that killed him and likely had the fatal attack while he was standing prior to receiving the splashdown, stating "It is likely he was already dead when he fell to the canvas",{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/northernpowerhouse.htm |title=Northern Powerhouse |publisher=Wrestling Heritage |date=24 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829011749/http://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/northernpowerhouse.htm |archive-date=29 August 2016 }} thus clearing Big Daddy of any responsibility for Kirk's death.{{cite web|author=Dean Siemon |url=http://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/gone-too-soon-20-wrestlers-who-died-during-their-careers/ |title=Gone Too Soon: 20 Wrestlers Who Died During Their Careers |work=The Sportster |date=2 October 2016 |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005083945/http://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/gone-too-soon-20-wrestlers-who-died-during-their-careers/ |archive-date= 5 October 2016 }}

Kirk's death garnered worldwide media attention,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99585769/ |title=Sports World |work=Detroit Free Press |via=Newspapers.com |page=50 |date=26 August 1987 |access-date=9 May 2017}} with some newspapers initially breaking the news by claiming that Big Daddy's splash killed Kirk. The British Medical Association recommended a maximum age limit for professional wrestlers as Kirk was approaching 52 at the time{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/features/20/greetings-grapple-fans-big-daddy |title=Greetings, Grapple Fans: Big Daddy |work=Fighting Spirit Magazine |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142159/http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/features/20/greetings-grapple-fans-big-daddy |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }} and criticised Joint Promotions for not having a doctor at ringside. Kirk's widow claimed that Kirk only earned £25 for the match, with a bonus of £5 for wrestling Big Daddy while Joint Promotions' promoters were earning thousands while she was left widowed with two children.{{cite web|author=Hello |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/analysis/a-passion-for-men-in-tights-1-2505075 |title=A passion for men in tights |work=Yorkshire Post |access-date=9 May 2017}} She criticised the sport for the way it treated Kirk.

Since the decline of kayfabe there has been criticism of Big Daddy for continuing to treat the incident as a legitimate sporting accident.{{cite book | first =John | last =Lister | title =Slamthology: Collected Wrestling Writings 1991–2004 | publisher = Lulu.com | year = 2005 | isbn =1-4116-5329-7 | page = 230 }} Later, Canadian wrestler Bret Hart, who wrestled Kirk for Joint Promotions, wrote in his book that few men could take Big Daddy's weight when he performed his other finishing move – the "double elbow" backdrop – and said "all it took was for Max to wave a few extra quid in a wrestler's face and he'd put his life on the line.""Big Daddy's finishing move was to fall backwards and crush his opponent flat. Few men could handle the impact, but all it took was for Max to wave a few extra quid in a wrestler's face and he'd put his life on the line."
{{cite book | first =Bret | last =Hart |author-link=Bret Hart | title =Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling | publisher = Random House | year = 2009 | isbn =978-1-4070-2931-3 | page = 118 }}

Several sources, including his own obituaries,{{cite news|author=Pierre Perrone |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-big-daddy-1286571.html |title=Obituary: Big Daddy |work=The Independent |access-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225135840/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-big-daddy-1286571.html |archive-date=25 February 2017 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61063053.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814144336/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61063053.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2017 |title=Bye Bye Big Daddy; Wrestler Loses Biggest Fight|via=HighBeam Research |work=The Mirror |access-date=9 May 2017}} incorrectly claimed that Big Daddy was so distraught by Kirk's death that he retired from professional wrestling. However he wrestled for six more years until 1993, still using the Big Daddy Splashdown despite calling for it to be banned and saying he would stop using it.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBzp9gdTZoo&t=755s Big Daddy & Scott Valentine vs Dau Dhihiryn (masked tag team)] – Reslo, S4C 1992. Event: Daddy performs the Big Splash on one member of Dau Dhihiryn at 12:35 Kirk had reportedly told some of his friends "If I have to go, I hope it is in the ring".

The death of Kirk is cited as having contributed to the decline of professional wrestling in the United Kingdom as people started to look at it more critically. It started to be compared to American professional wrestling, specifically the World Wrestling Federation, which was viewed as a higher quality product as the wrestlers were more muscular than the British wrestlers. Professional wrestling's television spot on ITV was cancelled in December 1988.{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-142248185.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814141337/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-142248185.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2017 |title=Wrestling in Your Armchair with a Man Called Shirley; World of Sport (ITV) 1965–1988 |work=Liverpool Echo |via=HighBeam Research |access-date=9 May 2017}} Joint Promotions dwindled and eventually went out of business in February 1995[https://books.google.com/books?id=ybBkAgAAQBAJ&dq=JOINT+PROMOTIONS+FEBRUARY+1995&pg=PT24 Britain's Heroes and Villains By Navdeep Rehill –Grosvenor House Publishing Limited 2013 – Chapter on Davey Boy Smith] although its chief rival at the time All Star Wrestling (for which Kirk also sporadically worked)[http://itvwrestling.co.uk/other.html#Anchor-Screenspor-63753 Results for All Star Wrestling show on Screensport – includes "Hanley, 30/8/86 … Mal Kirk (0) v Tony St Clair (0)"] remains active as of {{year}}.[https://linktr.ee/allstarwrestlinguk All Star Wrestling official website]

• List of premature professional wrestling deaths

{{reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kirk, Malcolm}}

Category:1936 births

Category:1987 deaths

Category:20th-century English sportsmen

Category:British coal miners

Category:Castleford Tigers players

Category:Doncaster R.L.F.C. players

Category:English male professional wrestlers

Category:English rugby league players

Category:Featherstone Rovers players

Category:English miners

Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players

Category:Professional wrestling deaths

Category:Rugby league players from Featherstone

Category:Rugby league props

Category:Sport deaths in England

Category:Sportspeople from Featherstone

Category:Wakefield Trinity players