The Von Erich family is a name that resonates strongly in the world of professional wrestling. This iconic wrestling dynasty has its unique fighting move, the “Iron Claw” grip. However, behind the glitz and glamor of the squared circle, the family was struck by a huge tragedy.
One by one, the brothers started succumbing to death. However, one of them did survive in the end, reviving the family’s historical story. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Von Erich brothers.
On 11 October 2023, A24 released the first trailer of their upcoming movie, “The Iron Claw”. The movie is based on the true story of the Von Erich brothers, Jack Jr., Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris. The Erich brothers are known as one of the greatest wrestlers of the 20th century. Kevin is the only survivor of the family, while David died due to acute enteritis, Mike due to a fatal dose of tranquilizers, Kerry and Chris committed suicide, and Jack Jr. died at the age of 6 after being electrocuted while playing in a trailer park.
Who were the Von Erich Brothers? Exploring the History of the Wrestling Dynasty
History has witnessed a lot of events and one in a million stories, whether it’s the live suicide of Budd Dwyer or the Israel-Palestine War. Such stories later become a part of the book or movie to keep the moral and the story alive. Today we will talk about one such historical story of a family of professional wrestlers. Yes, we are talking about the Von Erich brothers.
The story of the Erich brothers is a tale of immense talent, success, and the harsh realities of the wrestling world. The clan “Iron Claw” became a symbol of might, and courage in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration. As the A24 released their first trailer of the upcoming movie, “The Iron Claw,” the general public is exploring the chronicle of the family.
The legacy began with Fritz Von Erich, who adopted a German persona in the wrestling world. Fritz became the top star in the Nation Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and a wrestling icon. At one point, he also became the NWA President in the 1970s and eventually settled in Texas. Fritz also established World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW).
He married Doris and had six sons: Jack Jr., Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris. Fritz trained the boys and also laid the foundation for their wrestling careers. Out of all 6 brothers, only 5 could become wrestlers, as Jack Jr. died at the mere age of 6.
Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris became wrestling sensations from the 1970s to the 1980s. The talented yet charismatic brothers soon became fan favorites.They were especially known for their signature move, the “Iron Claw.” The grip that could immobilize even the toughest of opponents.
What Happened to the Von Erich Brothers? Who Is the Only Surviving Von Erich Brother?
As the popularity started reaching a peak, so did the series of tragedies that started haunting the family. In 1984, David tragically passed away while on tour in Japan, allegedly due to acute enteritis. His death rather remained a mystery affecting the family deeply.
Soon, Mike died in 1987 after taking a fatal dose of tranquilizers, and in 1991, Chris followed his brother Mike and shot himself in the head. He died at the young age of 21. In 1993, Kerry also shot himself with a .44 caliber bullet, adding to the family’s sorrow.
The Von Erich family crumbled under the weight of these devastating losses. Out of 6 brothers, Kevin was the only one who survived and kept the remaining family together. Although he transitioned to a quieter life, Kevin kept preserving the legacy of the Von Erich brothers. In 2009, the whole Von Erich family was added to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Fans and movie enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the movie ‘The Iron Claw’ on the big screen. The movie will be in theaters on December 22, 2023.
What are your thoughts on the Von Erich family? Did you ever get to know about them? Let us know in the comment section.