Wwf Wrestling
The Von Erichs Wrestling Family
Copyright (c) 2010 Davide Botticelli
The Adkisson family, better known as the Von Erichs, are described as the hard-bodied, golden-haired, bare-chested hunks of Texas.
The Start
The Von Erich family starts with Fritz who held many important titles in his career. Fritz was very influential during his career not only as an NWA president and president of WCCW (the company he created) but especially for his very important role in Japanese wrestling where he helped the industry revive again after the death of Rikidōzan. Fritz died in 1997, aged 68, after a battle with lung cancer which spread to his brain.
Jack Von Erich
The Von Erich's family glory is blurred by a series of deaths starting from the first son who died whilst at his neighbor's house who had been remodeling and left some wiring exposed. Jackie brushed against the wiring knocking him unconscious and fell face down into a puddle of melted snow and drowned at the age of 7.
This death was not the last family tragedy as four of the other five children of Fritz died prematurely and tragically.
David Von Erich (1958 - 1984 aged 25)
David is attributed with many memorable feuds facing Harley Race, Ric Flair (several times for the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship) and teaming with brothers Kevin and Kerry against the Fabulous Freebirds winning the Missouri Heavyweight Championship several times.
David was set to face Ric Flair once again for the NWA World Heavyweight Title in a match that would (according to rumors) see him emerge as winner but David did not make it; he died in 1984, a few days before the match.
The doctor's report states that he died of acute enteritis but Ric Flair states that "it was a drug overdose that really killed him and that Bruiser Brody (a fellow wrestler who found David) disposed of the narcotics by flushing them down a toilet before the police arrived."
Mick Foley states that the cause of death appears to be a drug overdose. The Von Erich's family never issued the death certificate or doctor's report.
Kerry Von Erich (1960-1993 aged 33)
Kerry spent the majority of his career wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling and participated in well known feuds such as those against Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Chris Adams and The Fabulous Freebirds.
Kerry's popularity came mainly after taking the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair at the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions; a tribute show to honor David. Kerry also worked for the WWF and Global Wrestling Federation.
But on the 4th of June 1986, Kerry had a motorcycle accident (reportedly riding barefoot striking a parked vehicle) and risked his life. Kerry ended up with a dislocated hip and a badly injured right leg. Doctors tried hard, but nothing could be done to save his foot which had to be amputated after (according to his brother Kevin) injuring it again following surgery by attempting to walk on it prematurely. Kerry was able to continue wrestling after the accident with prosthesis but kept the amputation secret to the majority of fans and fellow wrestlers; even showering with his boots on to hide this.
Kerry had drug problems after his accident left him with painkiller and cocaine addiction and this led to two arrests, the first of which resulted in probation. The second came after he was caught in possession of cocaine. This violated the probation and would leave him with an extensive jail time. This, and the fact that his marriage was broken and thus committed suicide that same day of arrest by a shot to the heart in 1993 on his father's ranch.
Mike Von Erich (1964-1987 aged 23)
After suffering a shoulder injury in 1985 on a wrestling tour, Mike was forced to have surgery. Even though he seemed to have recovered from it, he developed high fever four days later and was discovered to be suffering from Toxic shock syndrome. According to Ric Flair, Mike was forced back into the ring by Fritz much too early. Eventually, Mike had to retire after not being able to return to the ring at full strength anymore and had been losing body mass. Probably this was the cause of his decision to commit suicide in 1987 by and intentional overdose of a tranquilizer.
Chris Von Erich (1969-1991 aged 21)
Chris, the youngest in the family, wanted to become a wrestler and follow his brothers' success but his build did not help him much. Being the shortest (suffered from asthma which limited his growth to 5'6) and least athletic of the Von Erich family, he made many attempts to succeed in wrestling due to his love of wrestling that kept him trying despite numerous injuries. He managed one major feud with Percy Pringle in the USWA/World Class, but his career didn't take off like the rest of the family's.
Chris was very close to his brother Mike and his death had a hard impact on him. This along with the fact that he could not live up with his lack of success made him depressed and frustrated leading him to commit suicide in 1991 by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Von Erichs Today
Kevin Von Erich is the only son of Ritz to still be alive. He is nowadays a retired wrestler residing in Hawaii whilst his son, Ross Von is attending college in Texas and an up and coming wrestling future.
Lacey Von Erich is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich and the only female from the family to make a career in the wrestling business. She also wrestles barefooted like her Uncle Kevin.
Blame - Wrestling or Drugs?
Many people, including Rowdy Roddy Piper, have said that the Von Erich family is an example of how wrestling promoters treat wrestlers like a disposable resource. Ric Flair disagrees and says that it was not wrestling that killed the Von Erichs but drugs. Flair partially blames Fritz, because if Fritz had not lived in denial, and made his sons accountable for their behavior, they might well be alive today.
About the Author
Read all the News on the real world of Wrestling and write your comments on the articles, WWE, TNA, Raw, ECW, SmackDown, Rumors, Spoiler.
Wrestling News
Online game base on wrestling
wwe Game
WWE Royal Rumble - Live This Sunday on Pay-Per-View
 |
 MOC 1986 LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Jim Brunzell Figure With Poster $79.99 Time Remaining: 6d 14h 41m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Wrestlemania V Ad Magazines WWF Promo Photos 1988 89 Wrestling Lot + MS $27.13 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 33m |
 WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING BELT w Hogan Nameplate WWE ECW WWF $100.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 17h 14m |
 Lot WWF Wrestling Buddies Hulk Hogan Ultimate Warrior Pillow Figures Tonka $72.00 (23 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 52m |
 MOC Sealed 1989 WWF Wrestling Superstars Hacksaw Jim Duggan on Black Card $149.99 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 8m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 Buy It Now |
 WWF Hogan Hillbilly Jim Tag Team MWB Wrestling Superstars 1985 LJN $124.00 Time Remaining: 8h 1m |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Green Card Series 11 Bart Gunn Smoking Gunns HTF $42.55 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 15m |
 Beautiful MOC Sealed 1986 WWF Wrestling Superstars Ted Dibiase Figure w Poster $89.99 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 49m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Green Card Series 11 Adam Bomb VERY RARE HTF $22.69 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 11m |
 HASBRO WWF WRESTLING FIGURE GUIDE CATALOG WWF WWE FIGURES 1990S $5.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 54m |
 Brand New Smoking Skull WWF Wrestling Belt $800.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 54m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE Custom Hasbro JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS Wrestling Figure w Cobra $34.95 Time Remaining: 29d 15h 34m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 Buy It Now |
 huge lot of vintage wrestling action figures wwe smackdown RAW WWF ECW WCW $13.50 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 16m |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Green Card Series 11 Billy Gunn Smoking Gunns HTF $38.01 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 17m |
 Kurt Angle WWF Rumble Heads Bobble Head MIB Series One $9.50 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $9.50 Buy It Now |
 wwf ljn black card hulk hogancollectors edition $99.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 17m |
 Custom Hasbro Mankind Mick Foley Wrestling Fig WWE TNA WWF WCW ECW UFC Jakks $6.31 Time Remaining: 3h 2m |
 Stone Cold Steve Austin 316 Vest Brand New WWF WWE $39.99 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 19m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Razor Ramon Red with necklace chain rare htf $5.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 45m |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Green Card Series 11 123 Kid VERY RARE HTF $71.00 (21 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 22m |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Series One 1 American Dream Dusty Rhodes RARE $12.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 26m |
 WWF Yokozuna Wrestling Licensed Photo $3.91 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 42m Buy It Now for only: $3.91 Buy It Now |
 Custom WWF ljn SMASH Demolition wrestling figure moc hasbro vtg $36.30 (480 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 30m |
 APA Ron Simmons JBL tag team Wwe Wwf wrestling FIGURES classic lot JAKKS $8.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 42m |
 WWE RUTHLESS AGGRESSION KURT ANGLE JAKKS WRESTLING FIGURE WWF TNA $6.99 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 6m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now |
 WWF LJN Wrestling figure Sgt Slaughter CUSTOM mail away hasbro GI JOE vtg marine $26.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h 28m |
 vintage 80s WWF superstars LJN Wrestler steel cage pieces for wrestling ring $13.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 39m |
 2001 WWF WWE Replica Wrestling European Champion Belt NICE No Reserve $151.86 (19 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 55m |
 WWF Adult Size Light Heavyweight Replica Championship Belt rarest not WWE $600.00 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 8m Buy It Now for only: $600.00 Buy It Now |
 Rare Demolition Ax WWE WWF LJN wrestling figure 80s 1988 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 27m |
 Vintage WWF LJN Jake The Snake Roberts w Snake Wrestling Figure $21.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 42m |
 VINTAGE HASBRO WWF WRESTLING RARE FIGURES LOADS LISTED POSTAGE DISCOUNTS $12.63 Time Remaining: 19d 4h 47m Buy It Now for only: $12.63 Buy It Now |
 2001 WWF WWE Replica Wrestling Intercontinental Champion Belt NICE No Reserve $137.50 (26 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 55m |
 vintage WWF WWE lot 16 magazines 5 figures playset toys wrestling superstars $12.61 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 59m |
 WWE UFC Deluxe Brock Lesnar Loose Jakks Wrestling Action Figure WWF Mattel lot $17.99 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 52m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 Buy It Now |
 Original BRETT HIT MAN HART WWF World Wrestling Federation Foam Finger $42.88 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 7h 16m |
 Original BRETT HIT MAN HART WWF World Wrestling Federation Foam Finger $10.63 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 7h 26m |
 Original DIESEL POWER WWF World WRESTLING Federation Foam Finger Souvenir $10.63 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 7h 38m |
 VINTAGE HASBRO WWF WRESTLING FIGURES 1 LOADS LISTED POSTAGE DISCOUNTS $6.31 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 41m Buy It Now for only: $6.31 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE TITAN SPORTS HASBRO WRESTLING LOT MOC RED CARD BRET HITMAN HART $35.00 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 29m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE Wrestling Hasbro Loose Razor Ramon Purple with necklace chain rare htf $6.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 43m |
 Lot of 12 LJN WWF Wrestling Figures Some Rare $54.99 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $54.99 Buy It Now |
 WWF WWE TITAN SPORTS VTG HASBRO WRESTLING FIGURES LOT MOC NASTY BOYSREAD $21.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 3h 56m |
 WWF WRESTLEMANIA COLLECTION Pin Set $6.99 Time Remaining: 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now |
 WRESTLING FIGURES 30 OF THEM MOVABLENWO WWF AND MORE $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 11m |
 WWF Stone Cold Austin Wrestling Licensed Photo I $3.91 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $3.91 Buy It Now |
 WWE WWF ULTRA DELUXE WINGED EAGLE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING BELT $331.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 11h 8m |
 2003 WWF WWE Replica Wrestling Champion Belt NICE No Reserve $100.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 14h 55m |
 1983 Wrestling All Stars Series VERY RARE unopened pack wwf wwe awa nwa $499.95 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $499.95 Buy It Now |
 WWE WWF WCW WRESTLING ACTION FIGURES LOT OF 51 + 5 BELTS SOME RARE $51.00 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 13h 52m |
 Bret The Hitman Hart Pink sunglasses WWF $50.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 46m |
 Money Bank Ladder Match Ring Sale Price: $39.99  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionClimb your way to victory! This ring is money in the bank! Climb the ladder to snatch the briefcase! Lights and sounds from the TitanTron! Climb your way to victory in this superstar ring that replicates WWE's memorable Money in the Bank ladder match! Recreate all the knockdown, high-flying excitement with a 20-inch retractable TitanTron screen, lights and sounds, and 3 action points to launch your FlexForce Figures into the ring...  |
 Road Warriors: The Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag-Team in Wrestling History List Price: Sale Price: $14.49 You save: $5.46 (27%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionROAD WARRIORS:LIFE AND DEATH OF THE M - DVD Movie |
 WWE Flexforce Launchin' Entrance Ring Sale Price: $21.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Not yet released See Reviews For This Product |
 Legends of Wrestling 3: Andre Giant & Iron Sheik Sale Price: $9.93 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIn one of the most popular shows on WWE's on demand channel, panels that include WWE Hall of Famers Jim Ross and Dusty Rhodes discuss the life and times of the legendary Andre The Giant and The Iron Sheik... |
 WWE Breakdown Brawl Ring List Price: Sale Price: $13.99 You save: $7.00 (33%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAll the high-flying, pile-driving, hard pounding action of a real WWE® match can be yours with the Breakdown Brawl Ring! Strategically placed launch points work with FlexForceâ"¢action figures and accessories to take match action to the limit... |
 WWF WrestleMania : The Official Insider's Story Sale Price: $61.95 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWhen Hulk Hogan hoisted the seven-foot-four, five-hundred-pound Andre the Giant into the air and over his head, the crowd fell briefly silent, as if not quite able to believe what was happening. As the Giant crashed to the canvas with a great THUD!, a roar went up from the crowd... |
 WWE Hardcore List Price: Sale Price: $15.99 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionSometime in the late '90s, the WWF was losing fans to more graphically violent and extreme wrestling companies. Fans, it seemed, preferred seeing guys beat the hell out of each other legally with foreign objects... |
 WWF Warzone Sale Price: $12.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWWF War Zone is a Wrestling game, developed and published by Acclaim, which was released in 1998 |
 The Wrestling Album Sale Price: $87.62 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis CD is a blast from wrestling days past. The tracks on this song, sung by such wrestling legends as Captain Lou Albano, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and Minnesota's own Jessie "The Body" Ventura, are reminiscent of a time way back in the '80s when bouncy keyboards, drum machines, and extended guitar solos passed for a good pop-rock song... |
