Few names in wrestling carry as much weight and as much sorrow than the Von Erich family. Originally referred to as the Adkissons of Texas, the family rose to wrestling royalty when Jack Adkisson adopted the ring name Fritz Von Erich in the 1950s.
His larger-than-life persona and skill in the ring paved the way for a dynasty that would rule World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in the 1970s and ’80s.
David and Kerry became standouts, carrying the family banner in major promotions and leading WCCW to nationally recognized status.
But the family history is one of tragedy too. Jack Jr. died in a childhood accident, and over the next three decades, David, Mike, Chris and Kerry perished horribly, perpetuating the legend of a “Von Erich curse.” Kevin Von Erich alone outlived his brothers, going on to be the keeper of their tradition.
A New Generation Carries the Legacy Forward
Despite all these tragedies, the Von Erich name endures. The sons of Kevin, Marshall and Ross, have stepped into the ring, a new generation determined to live up to their heritage while making their own professional wrestling mark.
Media productions such as the 2023 film The Iron Claw have injected fresh interest in the family story, introducing it to new fans who might not have anything to do with professional wrestling.
At its core, the Von Erich legend is about more than victories and defeats. It’s a tale of drive, determination and the cost of stardom—how one family defined and was defined by professional wrestling’s golden era.
Thirty years later, the Von Erichs remain a testament to wrestling greatness and the human condition’s resilience to survive.
Additional Information
- The family’s real surname is Adkisson; patriarch Jack “Fritz Von Erich” Adkisson built a Texas-based wrestling empire in the 1950s–80s through World Class Championship Wrestling.
- His sons (Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, Chris, and Jack Jr.) became hugely popular wrestlers, turning the Von Erichs into one of the most famous dynasties in professional wrestling history.
- Multiple untimely deaths led to talk of a “Von Erich curse,” but Kevin and his sons Marshall and Ross now keep the name alive in modern wrestling promotions.
