Mal Kirk had a tragic end to his life when he suffered a heart attack during one of the biggest wrestling matches of his career.
The 25-stone monster was a star all across England in the 1970s and 80s. He was a similar wrestler to King Kong Bundy, the American WWF star whose name his stole as his own.
Mal Kirk was a feared heel and as such was given a prime spot opposite Big Daddy during numerous TV matches and live shows all across the country.
Big Daddy being interviewed before the inquest in to the death of King Kong Kirk. pic.twitter.com/0e5DCLf68L
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) December 5, 2021
Being part of these main events mean increased money and more exposure. Daddy was such a huge star that anybody would be lucky to be standing across from him in the ring.
Unfortunately, King Kong Kirk wouldn’t be so lucky. On August 24th 1987, Mal Kirk was killed by Big Daddy after suffering a heart attack following a “Big Daddy Splash”.
While the coronoer did not blame Big Daddy for the death, the world lost a top wrestler that day.
Bret Hart called Mal Kirk a great worker in the ring
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart is one of the best wrestlers of all time and had what Vince McMahon called the best match in wrestling history.
Given those facts, him given praise to Kirk should be a huge endorsement for the late grappler.
The Canadian wrote in his book Hitman that Kirk was a great worker who was great to work with, as getting hit by him was like being covered in a blanket, not a 25-stone man.
“Kirk turned out to be a great worker and bump-taker.” Bret Hart said in his book.
Bret Hart on King Kong Kirk after they wrestled in Stampede:
— BritWrestling (@BritWrestlingUK) March 23, 2025
“Kirk turned out to be a great worker and bump-taker. When he collapsed on top of me, he was as light as if he’d covered me with a blanket.” pic.twitter.com/9qNpRinS2V
“When he collapsed on top of me, he was as light as if he’d covered me with a blanket.”
Luckily for Bret, Kirk collpasing on him was all part of the act. When it happened in the match with Daddy, the Englishman would never get up.
Big Daddy said King Kong Kirk’s death will always stay with him
After he accidentally killed Kirk, Daddy was full of regret for his actions in that fateful match.
Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, he kept the weight of Kirk’s death on his shoulders for the rest of his life.
Speaking in a news report following Kirk’s untimely death, Shirley Crabtree revealed that his death “will stay with me” forever.
“I had wrestled him. I mean it was as strong as three men.
“He was 25 stone. He was known as the Pittman’s Hercules and as long as I’ll live I’ll never forget seeing him laid down there on the canvas instead of on his feet, raging and and, you know, and flying about and that will stay with me.”