Legends: The Vopn Erich Family
Our resident philosopher and historian, Jay Shannon, takes a look at the tragic Von Erich family. A third generation of Von Erichs are now plying their trade in the squared circle.
Growing up in Dallas, wrestling could be summed up in two words, Von Erich. My grandfather took me to the Sportatorium on a regular basis to watch Fritz battle Kabuki, Johnny Valentine, Gary Hart and others. After Grandpa passed on, my step-father took me back to watch Fritz’s sons follow in their father’s footsteps. In this edition of Legends, I want to look at the three generations of Von Erichs. They’ve gone from the highest of highs to the depths of tragic lows. They are still considered the cornerstones of (Dallas) Texas wrestling. The new generation will likely outshine their famous fathers and grandfather.
Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson)
He was the patriarch of the family. Fritz had a mediocre college football career at SMU. Fritz would promote himself, in later years, as being a stand-out star on the gridiron. Aftrer college, Jack played pro football for the Dallas Texans. He left the Texans and moved to Canada to play for the Canadian Football League.
In Canada, Jack met legendary promoter/wrestler, Stu Hart. Hart helped Jack create his German character. Fritz was originally promoted as being loyal to the ideology of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. In the 1950’s, the scars of World War II were still fresh. Fritz worked in the Northeast, Ohio region and Canada. Fritz would goosestep to the ring, draped in a black cape. Fritz had the Nazi Swastika on his boots and the cape. Fritz often had to have police assistance to escape the rabid crowds.
In 1959, Fritz’s eldest son, Jack, Jr., died in a freak accident. He was electrocuted and drowned in a puddle of melted snow. The death struck Fritz to the core. He decided to take himself off the road and spend more time with the family. Fritz moved from the Buffalo, New York area to St. Louis. In St. Louis, Fritz didn’t have to tour to make a living. House shows were all within a day’s driving trip from the family’s home.
Fritz began to learn the business end of wrestling from promoter, Sam Muchnick. Fritz also battled against the top stars that came through the St. Louis market. Eventually, Sam and Fritz struck a deal where Sam would back Fritz in purchasing the Dallas territory. Fritz would promote in Northern and Eastern Texas, and Southern Oklahoma areas. Paul Boesch promoted around Houston. The Funks had the West Texas market. Fritz would eventually expand along the Gulf Coast, as well as over-taking both Houston and San Antonio markets.
Fritz would turn the Dallas territory into one of the hottest territories in the US. Fritz converted from the German Stormtrooper character to the Good Ol’ Boy that was back home in Texas. Fritz based the business on his family and a close circle of friends. Fritz’s sons were the focal point of the organization. That would bring unbelievable success to the company. It would also cause the implosion of World Class.
After the deaths of his sons, Fritz sold off his interest in the company to Jerry Jarrett. Fritz went into full retirement. By the end of his life, Fritz had lost 5 of his 6 children. His wife, Doris, divorced him after almost 40 years of marriage. Fritz died of lung and brain cancer on September 10, 1997.
Waldo Von Erich (Walter Sieber)
Walter trained with Red Garner at a local Toronto YMCA. Garner introduced Walter to Stu Hart. Walter went through a few identity changes before hooking up with Fritz. Stu teamed them as a brother act. They were a brutal team that dominated in all the areas they competed in. Fritz was the loud-mouth, arrogant heel that spoke for the team. Waldo was the quiet hulking brute that came in and battled against all comers.
Behind the curtain, Waldo was very polite and kind to children. My own wife, Linda, met Waldo in Ohio when she was a young child. Many years later, she still talks with fondness about how sweet and charming the huge man was to her and her friends.
After Fritz left for St. Louis, Waldo moved to the WWWF. He battled against Bruno Sammartino for the title. After his run in the WWWF, Waldo finished up his career working the promotions around the Northeast US and Canada. Waldo retired in 1979 and moved back to Canada.
After retirement, Waldo invested his money in a lake and a castle. He also began working with physical rehabilitation professionals. Walter created an inverted chair that he sold to numerous sports teams that helped with back injury rehab. Waldo is still alive and well. Waldo has also helped train new wrestlers. His most famous students are Eric Young and The Highlanders (Rory and Robbie McAllister).
David Von Erich (David Adkisson)
David was the stand-out member of the Von Erich sons. He was dubbed the Yellow Rose, a name he first gained in Japan. The Yellow Rose is also linked with David’s Texas heritage. David bore a striking resemblance to his father. David was the first of the Von Erich children to expand beyond the Dallas and St. Louis markets. David walked away from his father’s iron grip and accepted a position in Florida. David received invaluable training from his journey to the Sunshine State. He also became friends with Florida wrestler, Jimmy Garvin. David convinced Garvin to come to Texas to work a program with him. Their feud was one of the hottest of 1983.
David was scouted by the NWA as the next World Champion. He was set, according to Ric Flair, to take the World title from Flair in the spring of 1984. David would never make it to the match. In February of 1984, David, Bruiser Brody and several other World Class stars went to Japan for a tour. David was found dead in his hotel room. Ric Flair claimed that David died of an overdose. Flair said Brody got rid of the drug evidence. The Von Erich family claimed that David died of a intestinal rupture. The truth of what caused David’s death will likely never be known, for sure. David was only 25 when he died on February 10,1984.
Kevin Von Erich (Kevin Adkisson)
Kevin is the last surviving son of Fritz and Doris. Kevin didn’t want to be a wrestler, initially. He had an outstanding football career in high school and at the University of North Texas. An injury derailed his football career. Fritz convinced his son to join the family business.
Kevin wrestled barefoot due to a practical joke. Just minutes before his first match, someone in the locker room stole Kevin wrestling boots. Kevin had no choice but to wrestle without shoes. Kevin found that he was much more comfortable wrestling without shoes. He would wrestle his entire career in his bare feet. Kevin was one of the earliest “high flyers” in the ring. His moves were a combination of aerial moves and solid mat action. His Body Scissors was a brutal move that often led to a win. He also used the family’s Iron Claw as a finisher.
Kevin retired early from the ring due to numerous concussions and other injuries. He was also upset at his father selling the World Class territory to Jerry Jarrett. In addition, Kevin was disillusioned by the business following the loss of his brothers. Kevin held the rights to the entire World Class library until selling it to Vince McMahon. Kevin has made a few appearances over the years, but has mainly focused on his four children and business ventures. One of Kevin’s sons, Ross, is being trained for an in-ring career. Kevin recently sold the family home in Texas and relocated to Hawaii.
Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Adkisson)
Kerry was the most successful of all the Von Erich sons. He took David’s spot in winning the NWA World title after David’s death. Kerry wasn’t as popular with the championship committee of the NWA as his late brother, so Kerry’s reign only lasted 18 days. The loss of the NWA title was a catalyst for World Class pulling out of the NWA.
Kerry accepted a position with the then-WWF. He was billed as the Texas Tornado. Kerry beat “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig for the Intercontinental championship. Kerry left the WWF after the 1992 Royal Rumble and returned home to Texas. Many sources suggest that Kerry was released from the WWE, due to drug issues. Kerry was one of the very few men to compete for ECW, AWA, NWA and WWE. He was managed by Nancy Sullivan-Benoit aka Woman during a brief tour of Eastern Championship Wrestling, which morphed into ECW.
Kerry was also the most troubled of the Von Erich brothers. Kerry was arrested several times on drug charges. At the time of his death, Kerry was facing prison time for forging prescriptions. Kerry also lost his right foot in 1986, due to a motorcycle accident. The amputation was hidden by Fritz and the World Class press machine. Kerry never removed his boot at shows, even in the showers. The fans only learned about the lost foot when Kerry lost his right boot during a match in Las Vegas. Kerry took his own life by shooting himself on his father’s property. Kerry died on February 18, 1993. Kerry was survived by two daughters, Lacey and Hollie.
Mike Von Erich (Michael Adkisson)
Mike Von Erich did not like the idea of wrestling. He wanted to work behind the scenes, especially in video production. Mike was much smaller than his brothers. Fritz forced Mike into the family business as a replacement for David. Mike tried his best and was loved by the fans. He was also passingly successful, holding the American title, the Six-Man title and the Middle Eastern championship. Mike was the one and only Middle Eastern champion. Mike was also voted Rookie of the Year in 1984.
Tragedy changed Mike’s life, forever. In August, 1985, Mike injured his shoulder during a tour of Israel. The surgery on the shoulder brought about a rare case of Toxic Shock Syndrome that nearly cost Mike his life. An extremely high fever is believed to have caused some brain damage. Mike’s responses seemed slowed after the fever. Mike’s speech was also affected. Doctors begged Mike to stay away from the ring, but his family loyalty led to his return.
A combination of medical issues and stress over trying to live up to the family name led Mike into a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and sexual problems. Just days before his suicide, Mike was arrested on drug charges. Mike was facing jail time over the charges. Mike left his family a note and disappeared. According to the book Wrestling Babylon, Fritz tried to promote the disappearance as a kidnapping. Fritz tried to blame The Freebirds for the disappearance to maintain company integrity. Mike wrapped himself in a sleeping bag and OD’d on Placidyl, a sleeping pill. Mike died on April 12, 1987.
Chris Von Erich (Chris Adkisson)
Mike and Kevin were hesitant to enter wrestling. Chris, on the other hand, dreamed of nothing else. Chris idolized his older brothers and father. Chris began working for his father from a very early age. Chris ran cameras, sold concessions, and helped the stars. The older brothers were concerned about Chris’s health. Chris had severe asthma. Chris also had Brittle Bone Syndrome. While training for the ring, Chris broke his arm after landing from a Dropkick attempt.
Chris had only a few matches, mostly against Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer). Chris’ career lasted for less than a year. Chris became depressed after the loss of his brother, Mike. That depression, combined with frustration over not being able to live up to the Von Erich name, drove Chris to shoot himself in the head on September 12, 1991. He died the same day.
Lance Von Erich (WIlliam “Ricky” Vaughn)
Fritz Von Erich needed new family members in 1985. David had dies in Japan. Mike was on the shelf due to toxic shock syndrome. Fritz originally planned to use Jim Hellwig (The Ultimate Warrior) to play the part of his nephew. Several World Class stars alerted Fritz to a young wrestler in the Portland territory named Ricky Vaughn. Fritz decided to go with Ricky. Hellwig would later be brought in as an ally to the Von Erichs as the Dingo Warrior. The Von Erich brothers objected strongly to the addition of a “cousin”. Their objections fell on deaf ears.
Vaughn was brought in as Waldo’s son. The fans were already familiar with Ricky Vaughn, due to high coverage in various wrestling magazines. Gary Hart mentioned in various interviews that he heard from fans who lost faith in the Von Erichs due to the blatant lie. Fans never quite accepted “cousin” Lance as one of the Von Erichs.
Vaughn got into a contract dispute with Fritz over money in 1987. Vaughn jumped to a local rival promotion without notice. Vaughn was forced to give up the Von Erich name, which was trademarked. He wrestled for a couple of years in Texas and Puerto Rico. Eventually, Vaughn gave up the wrestling business and moved to South Africa.
Fritz was so angry about the whole Lance situation that he broke out of character and admitted in an interview that Lance was not a member of the Von Erich family. In 1987, breaking kayfabe was unheard of. Lance was never spoken of again. He was not mentioned on the television programs after Fritz’s diatribe on Vaughn.
Lacey Von Erich (Lacey Adkisson)
The third generation star is the daughter of Kerry and the granddaughter of Fritz. She had a brief run in FCW, a WWE developmental territory. Rumors were swirling that she was going to be called up to the WWE as Keri Von Erich. That has never been confirmed. It’s actually irrelevant now, as she was released by the WWE in late 2007. She has moved on to work for the Pro Wrestling Revolution group, located in Northern California. She utilizes the family’s Iron Claw as her finisher. I actually met Lacey when she a very small child. She was with her father at a charity show at the University of North Texas in 1990, just before Kerry left for the WWE. She was a sweet little kid who grew up to be a lovely young woman. She has the chance to finally break the Family Curse.
Ross Von Erich (David Ross Adkisson)
The elder son of Kevin Von Erich is being trained by his father for a possible career in wrestling. Ross grew up in Denton, Texas and lived a fairly quiet life. Ross, like his father, was interested in football. Ross has made a few in-ring appearances with his father. Kevin has said in several interviews that he would support his children if they chose to wrestle, but he would not push them like he and his brothers were pushed.
Marshall Von Erich (Kerry Marshall Adkisson)
The younger son of Kevin, Marshall has yet to make his debut. That may be because of his young age. From all reports, Marshall idolizes his family and might want to follow his father and older brother into the wrestling business. Kevin mentioned on the Legends of World Class film, that he wants to give his children a good life and allow them to make their own choices. Marshall lives with his parents in Hawaii, where he attends school.
In Conclusion:
The Von Erich family has undergone multiple tragedies, over the years. Kevin is the only surviving brother. Two of Fritz’s grandchildren are starting careers in the industry. Hopefully, the next generation of Von Erichs won’t have to endure the heartaches and sorrow that their fathers had to face. Regarless of where wrestling takes Lacey, Ross and (possibly) Marshall, they are still part of one of the most talented families to ever step inside a wrestling ring. The Von Erichs are all certified Legends and deserve their place in the wrestling history books.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(5/5/08)
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