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The story of the Von Erich family is a tragic and harrowing tale marred by immense success in wrestling, but also plagued by sorrowful events, untimely deaths, and personal struggles.
It all began with Fritz Von Erich, born Jack Adkisson in 1929, who built the legacy of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty. He created the Von Erich persona during the Cold War era, gaining popularity as a “heel” or a villain character. Fritz was renowned for his signature move, the Iron Claw, and was instrumental in training his sons for the wrestling industry.
The family faced its first tragedy with the death of Jack Jr. at the age of six, who was electrocuted and drowned. Following this tragedy, Fritz and his wife had several more children: Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris, who were all brought up on a ranch in Texas. Fritz, both a caring father and a strict disciplinarian, trained his sons not only in wrestling but also in life skills.
The Von Erich brothers excelled in high school sports and set records but eventually dropped out of college to pursue wrestling, following in their father’s footsteps. With Fritz’s support and guidance, they found success in wrestling, capitalizing on the rise of wrestling’s popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The brothers, namely Kevin, David, and Kerry, gained fame, appeared in various media, and were adored by fans.
However, the family’s prosperity was overshadowed by a series of tragic deaths. David, the United National Champion, passed away at 25 due to acute enteritis. Mike died three years later from toxic shock syndrome and an overdose. Chris struggled with depression, drug abuse, and lack of wrestling ability, leading to his suicide.
Kerry, considered a superstar, faced personal struggles, including addiction and legal issues, ultimately ending his life by suicide. The tragic loss extended to Fritz, who divorced and suffered from brain cancer before passing away.
Kevin Von Erich, the sole surviving brother of that generation, struggled with thoughts of ending his life but persevered. His sons, Marshall and Ross, continued the wrestling legacy, debuting in the 2010s. Lacey, Kerry’s daughter, also joined the wrestling business but later transitioned to management.
Despite the overwhelming tragedies and losses endured by the Von Erich family, the possibility remains for future generations to continue the wrestling legacy established over 70 years ago.