WWE Hall of Fame 2009 The Von Erichs
The Von Erich Family Are Set to be Inducted in the Class of 2009
Apr 4, 2009
The Adkissons (better known as the Von Erichs) didn't have their most memorable years in the WWE, which seems to have been the case with a lot of the Class of 2009 inductees. However, the work done by Fritz, David, Kevin, Kerry Chris and Mike, particularly within the World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) promotion helped shape the landscape of today's professional wrestling environment.
Amassing a staggering 144 title wins between them, it is clear to see why the Von Erichs were chosen to receive this accolade.
Fritz Von Erich and WCCW
Trained by the legendary Stu Hart, Fritz (real name Jack Barton Adkisson) had a very successful wrestling career which spanned over thirty years, this was due to a combination of a large physique, good wrestling and interview skills.
He achieved much success working in for the promotion he owned; WCCW (formerly Big Time Wrestling) but also shot to fame in Japan wrestling under the ring name 'Tetsu No Tsume' which translates as 'Iron Claw' which was also the name of his trademark finishing hold.
In 1982 Fritz retired from the ring, which he had been leaning more towards doing since the mid-70's as his sons David, Kerry and Kevin had become the focus of the WCCW promotion.
The Von Erich Domination of WCCW
Kevin, David and Kerry soon shot to the top of the WCCW promotion, challenging for and winning a number of the championships up for grabs.
David 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' was initially seen as the star of Fritz's children and had a number of memorable matches against such greats as Harley Race and Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship but never won the gold.
Kevin shot to WCCW fame due to his good looks and athletic ability. He also faced Ric Flair a number of times for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and much like David, never won it either. Kevin is remembered most often for wrestling the majority of his matches barefoot.
Kerry Von Erich is probably the most well known of his family, achieving success in the WCCW as well as in the WWE as the 'Texas Tornado'. Kerry is the only one of his family to ever win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and also won the Intercontinental Championship during his spell with the WWE. Kerry also wrestled for a number of years with a prosthetic foot, after having to have one amputated after a motorcycle accident.
All three brothers were involved in WCCW's most storied feud which pitted them against The Freebirds which began in 1982. The two sets of rivals would meet on and off for the best part of a decade, with the last match between them taking place in 1993. It is due to this epic rivalry that Michael Hayes, one half of the Freebirds, will be inducting the Von Erichs into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The Von Erich Curse
While the careers of the Von Erichs were filled with memorable matches and title reigns, their story is also tainted with sadness. In 1984, before he was supposedly scheduled to beat Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, David Von Erich died in suspicious circumstances. While it is often reported that the cause of death was a heart attack caused by enteritis, many people including Ric Flair claim the actual cause of death was a drug overdose.
Following this, his brother Mike was forced into the limelight by Fritz. Mike had already wrestled one bout against Flair prior to his brothers death, but had no interest in becoming a full time competitor. After suffering toxic shock following a shoulder operation and being rushed back into the ring by his father, Mike retired before committing suicide in 1987.
Chris Von Erich was the youngest of the brothers and had a huge passion for the wrestling industry. His goal in life was to be a successful wrestler, but due to his small stature and health problems including brittle bones he never lived up to the legacy of his father and brothers. Jaded by his lack of success and distraught at the loss of his brothers Chris also committed suicide in 1991.
Although Kerry had experienced more success than his brothers, he had a history of drug problems which had led to his release from the WWE. When he was arrested for a second time in 1993 for possession of cocaine, the idea of serving jail time became too much for him and he took his own life, leaving Kevin as the only surviving brother. Fritz Von Erich also passed away in 1997 after a long battle with cancer.
The Von Erichs Now
Kevin Von Erich now presents WWE 24/7's 'History of WCCW' show alongside Michael Hayes, while occasionally accompanying his son Ross who is currently trying to make a name for himself on the wrestling scene.
Lacey Von Erich, daughter of Kerry, has trained with the WWE as well as working a number of shows on the independent circuit. She is one of the very few 3rd generation female wrestlers and has also had success as a model.
To find out who else is set to join The Von Erichs in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Click Here.
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