Family Affair I: The Von Erichs

The Von Erichs are one of the most celebrated families in professional wrestling. Fritz Von Erich was the father of Kerry, David, Chris, Michael and Kevin. While all of them were talented, like their father, they had their demons.

Fritz Von Erich

Born on August 16, 1929 in Jewett, Texas. His birth name was Jack Adkisson. Fritz stood at 6'4" and weighing 240 pounds. Originally trained by Stu Hart, the Patriarch of the Von Erich clan would become a top heel in pro wrestling and a top star in various NWA promotions.

Fritz used the "Iron Claw" or "Von Erich Claw" as his finisher, which was passed down to his sons.

Von Erich never held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but would hold a number of NWA Championship in different NWA promotions. At one time in the 1960s, he held a variation of the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.

He served as President for NWA for a short while in the 1970s. Fritz also served as President for WCCW in Dallas, Texas. After the death of Rikidozan, Fritz became a major part of Japanese wrestling for rebuilding the business over there.

In 1997, Fritz lost his battle with lung cancer after it spread to his brain.

Kevin Von Erich

Born in Belleville, Illinois on May 15,1957, " The Golden Warrior" Kevin is the second oldest son of Fritz Von Erich. He spent most of his career working in World Class Championship Wrestling.

While wrestling there he became known for utilizing the Body Scissors and Iron Claw, as well as wrestling barefoot.

Kevin had notable feuds with against wrestlers such as, Chris Adams, The Fabulous Freebirds, and Ric Flair.

Kevin retired in 1995 and is now working in real estate and has been married for over twentyfive years. He still makes appearances in wrestling shows, but never wrestles.

Kevin is the only living Von Erich brother.

David Von Erich

The third son of Fritz Von Erich. "The Yellow Rose of Texas" David Von Erich was born on July 22, 1958 in Dallas,Texas.

David had many memorable feuds in WCCW. He faced off against Harley Race and even faced Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on numerous occasions, but never won. He also teamed with Kerry and Kevin to face the Fabulous Freebirds.

David died in 1984, David's cause of death was a heart attack caused by ruptured intestines, which were the result of acute enteritis.

A tribute show was held a few months later in his honor, where his brother Kerry defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Kerry Von Erich

Kerry was born February 3, 1960 in Niagara Falls, New York, he's the fourth son of Fritz.

Kerry was the star of the Von Erich family. Known as "The Texas Tornado" and "The Modern Day Warrior", he was the most popular Von Erich.

Wrestling mostly in WCCW like his brothers, he feuded with Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Chris Adams, and The Fabulous Freebirds. Kerry won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair at the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions.

On June 4,1986, Kerry was in a bad motorcycle accident that almost ended his life. He suffered a dislocated hip, a badly injured right leg, and had to have his foot amputated. Not many people know that he wrestled with a prosthesis, he kept it a secret and would even shower with his boot on.

He'd go on to wrestle several more months. Kerry defeated Mr.Perfect for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam on August 27, 1990.

Kerry had a history of drug problems, two resulting in arrests. Kerry committed suicide on his father's ranch in 1993, after a shot to his heart.

Mike Von Erich

Fritz fifth son, Mike was born on March 2, 1964 in Dallas, Texas.

Mike replaced David in the feud with the Fabulous Freebirds following David's death. Mike wanted to work as a camera man for WCCW(he had no interest in wrestling in the ring) but was forced into the ring by Fritz.

Suffering a shoulder injury while on tour in Isreal in 1985, he had to have surgery. It was discovered that Mike suffered from Toxic shock syndrome.

According to Ric Flair, Fritz forced Mike back into the ring much too early. Eventually, Mike retired. He committed suicide in 1987 by intentional overdose of a tranquilizer.

Chris Von Erich

The smallest, youngest and some what lesser talented Von Erich. Chris was born on September 30, 1969 in Dallas, Texas.

Chris made plenty attempts to succeed in wrestling, but never took off. His only major feud was against Percy Pringle (WWE's Paul Bearer) in USWA/WCCW.

After not being able to succeed in wrestling, Chris became depressed and frustrated. He was also heartbroken over the lost of his older brothers. He committed suicide in 1991.

Although we can't forget about the demons they suffered with, I think that the Von Erichs should be remembered for the good they contributed to professional wrestling. Even now there's a new Von Erich clan in the works. Ross Von Erich is the son of Kevin Von Erich and has wrestled a few times.

Lacey Von Erich is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich, she was signed to a WWE developmental contract, but was released. She's now competing in various NWA promotions. Lacey is the first Von Erich to compete in a NWA promotion in thirteen years.

NOTE: The oldest brother, Jack Adkisson, Jr. , died of accidental electrocution and drowning in a puddle at the age of seven in Niagara Falls, Ontario.