The Iron Claw (2023) Movie REACTION | First Time Watching | Von Erichs | WWE

The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Here's Nikki & Steven's reaction to The Iron Claw.
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0:00 - INTRO
1:03 - REACTION
47:44 - RECAP
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#NikkiStevenReact #theironclaw

[@NikkiStevenReact]

The Iron Claw full watch along REACTION: bit.ly/3vMmLAv Early Peaky Blinders reactions on Patreon: www.patreon.com/collection/314046 Sons of Anarchy full watch along REACTIONS on Patreon: www.patreon.com/collection/9938 If you want to keep up with us, the community, the schedule and everything we have going on, join our discord. It's fun and free: discord.com/invite/stikkerfam

[@eddiegonzalez5070]

sad facts-Iron Claw. 2 other brothers not portrayed in the film died of suicide

[@briangrabill5286]

FYI NIKKI, BACK IN THESE DAYS, THE CONTACT WAS ABOUT 50 PERCENT, HIT BUT NOT TOO HARD.

[@briangrabill5286]

YOU CAN FIND THESE ACTUAL MATCHES ON KZbin. LOOK UP THE DOC ON THE VON ERICHS , MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE

[@williamfrankiv6167]

Love your guys shirts I got the same shirt as you Steven

[@justinmalone3473]

@@eddiegonzalez5070 I know Chris...... Mike did as well (But he is in the movie) Kerry (in the movie) who was the second brother not portrayed in the movie?

[@michaelbrewer2069]

NOBODY knew Kerry wrestled with a prosthetic. He would literally shower with his boot on after his matches. He kept it hidden from everyone outside of his family.

[@Tensen01]

Roddy Piper said that he was best friends with Kerry and was the only person outside the family who knew. That Kerry would hang out in their hotel room with his prosthetic off.

[@hitman5694]

I cried like a baby when the line was said “I used to be a brother” I immediately rang my own brother to tell him I loved him

[@nathanlindahl8336]

I bawled my eyes out at that part lol

[@HIfinest]

It’s so unfortunate that they left out their brother Chris Von Erich

[@jackspry9736]

RIP Jack Adkisson Jr. (September 21, 1952 - March 7, 1959), aged 7 RIP David Von Erich (July 22, 1958 - February 10, 1984), aged 25 RIP Kerry Von Erich (February 3, 1960 - February 18, 1993), aged 33 RIP Mike Von Erich (March 2, 1964 - April 12, 1987), aged 23 RIP Chris Von Erich (September 30, 1969 - September 12, 1991), aged 21 You will be remembered as legends

[@NightRanger-lz6tp]

And don't forget little Jack, who was accidentally electrocuted at the age of 7.

[@iamlinda100]

@@NightRanger-lz6tp he did mention Jack

[@joshuacoldwater]

and David’s daughter “Natosha Zoeanna Adkisson (October 19, 1978 - December 29, 1978)” Died of SIDS 13 weeks after birth.

[@orenges7034]

The ages man. I cannot believe that. They barely got started in life

[@timothybrown2907]

Thank you

[@ryanratcliff2548]

The Texas Tornadoes entire run in WWF he did it with 1 foot. That’s a testament to how good he was in the ring, because it was impossible to tell. Incredible story

[@NikkiStevenReact]

that is so insane... i've gone back and watched a few of his matches and even knowing, you can't tell.

[@cwell510]

One thing you can tell going back and watching Kerry's WWF matches is that his in ring speed was much less compared to his World Class days. He never tried any high-flying spots, and never dropkicked anyone.

[@ianseavey4015]

To answer your question: Kerry did wrestle with a prosthetic in the WWF

[@Tnc143]

The dad was the curse! Great movie. Great reaction. Also, props to Zac Efron for his amazing acting in this.

[@NightRanger-lz6tp]

At the time of Kerry's suicide, he was going through a bad divorce and he was set to go to trial for violating probation for forging prescription for painkillers. He left behind 2 daughters Holly and Lacey. Lacey did enter the business competing in TNA from 2009 to 2011. 2 of Kevin's sons Marshall and Ross indeed is in the Wrestling business having competed in AEW, TNA and other independents.

[@noahbrown6970]

I think there's another one out there too, working as a singles guy on the indies. But he might be the son of a cousin or something, I'm not sure :)

[@NightRanger-lz6tp]

@noahbrown6970 I don't know. I do remember Fritz created a Von Erich but was never really a Von Erich named Lance.

[@Adrianne519]

Yeah, there were a lot of factors as to why he took his own life. There’s all the ones you listed but he was obviously grieving from his brothers & was in constant pain, he would bleed every match, his boots would be filled with blood

[@aricproctor6701]

As a brother it breaks my heart to what a legendary pro wrestler has been through without his brothers. Yeah Kevin loved wrestling but doing it with his brothers was the best thing that ever happened to him. Wrestling wasn’t the best thing in Kevin’s life his brothers were.

[@stonecoldku4161]

4:30 "The Shiek" was played here by Chavo Guerrero Jr. nephew and former tag team champion with his uncle Eddie Guerrero.

[@vivacious_me]

This movie was so so so well done! ❤ "I used to be a brother" part wrecks me every time...

[@AmeliaThornhill-tz7ot]

That line and " Tonight i walk with my brothers" absolutely wrecked me

[@PowerDiva]

There's so much to talk about with this movie, but I think one thing that gets me.... Harris Dickinson who played the part of David - he was so good on the mic with the TX accent Nikki even mentioned. It's hard to believe he's actually British. Like fully British lol. Watch him in interviews, you'll be floored at the difference in his real voice and accent vs the one he uses here. Full on Texan promo wrestler portrayed by a soft-spoken British guy. Made me really appreciate him as an actor.

[@katashworth41]

I love him, despite all the Aaron Taylor Johnson rumours I think he’d make a great James Bond. Obviously need a hard reboot and he’s known enough to film nerds but not so much to the average film goer, which is who EON are looking for, and in this he showed that he can get in shape and do stunt work.

[@Zechree]

I’ve seen this movie at least 3 times now and I’ve cried each time, seeing the older brother that didn’t grow up and the final scene with Kevin and his sons gets me everytime. Such a sad story

[@metscatsmargs]

I saw this in the movie theater. The last 20 minutes I just felt tears going down my cheeks and when the lights went up after it ended, I looked around and everyone was wiping their eyes. I've never seen anything like that. I went home and didn't know what to do except text my brother and ask how he was doing.

[@stonecoldku4161]

As with most movies based on actual events, there are a lot of things that they omitted, timelines that got condensed and some things that were just wrong. These are the ones that I know about. 1) David was married to his second wife at the time of his death. His first marriage came to an end after their 13-week-old daughter passed away from SIDS. 2) Kerry had two daughters at the time of his death. He and the children's mother had attempted a reconciliation, but due to his continuing legal troubles it did not work. 3) Fritz actually spent the morning with Kerry on the day that Kerry passed away. Before Kerry left the house, he hugged his father and told him that he loved him. Fritz found Kerry's body several hours later sitting in a tree that the boys would climb as kids. 4) Fritz had missed out on the Olympics as a discus thrower when he was younger as well. He could not afford to pay for his travel and the AAU wouldn't pay for the trip as Fritz had gotten married. When he was in high school Fritz set the high school state record for the discus throw. That record stood until Kerry broke it. According to Kevin had Fritz been able to go to the Olympics he matched his best throw Fritz would have won gold. 5) Kerry didn't lose his foot the night he won the title. He lost it two years after he won it. He only held the title for 18 days before losing it back to Flair. Kerry winning the title was really just a favor to the family as the NWA did not trust Kerry who had missed shows he was booked on earlier in his due to his substance abuse issues it was believed. 6) It was Fritz, and a business partner sold their majority ownership of the WCCW to Jerry Jarrett, not Kevin. In fact, it was Kevin who was against the sale. 7) The match where Kevin "flipped out" on Ric Flair did happen, but it took place a little over a year after David's death. It was also the predetermined finish to the match. 8) Kevin and Pam, I believe had two daughters before they had their two sons.

[@abrahamalvarez3257]

9) The movie omitted the youngest Von Erich brother, Chris, also a wrestler and who sadly took his life at just 21 years old, can't remember of it was in 91 or 93.

[@mom_life393]

My fiance is a huge wresting wrestling fan and I went to see this with him in the theater. My knowledge of wrestling is more than the average human but never have been a fan nor did I know anything of the Von Erichs prior to the film. So to say I was caught off guard about how emotionally invested I became while watching this is a huge understatement. I went in with low expectations and left bawling my eyes out. They did an incredible job at pulling you in. Even someone like myself who has no interest in wrestling.

[@cwell510]

51:03 "I see your old tag-team partner, Hellwig is holding, that guy's got nothing on you and never has..." Fritz is speaking about Jim Hellwig, aka The Ultimate Warrior.

[@animal9633]

Oh wow, I didn't know that! He was one of my favourite crazy wrestlers when I was a kid.

[@iamworthy1302]

Makes allot of sense I can tell that line has something behind it. As a kid I use to get the ultimate warrior and Texas tornado mixed up lol

[@maximusmfg]

Kerry did wrestle in WWF with one foot. Which is amazing when you think about it. Not very many people knew about it, including the other wrestlers

[@MrFredstt]

I can't imagine the stress though of him trying to hide it

[@jermainemartinez8282]

I didn't know that Kerry was wrestling with a prosthetic foot. I heard about it maybe a year or 2 ago in a Tony Atlas shoot, where he talked about Brody's murder, but he did bring up the accident of Kerry.

[@shainewhite2781]

I got this on Blu Ray! I wish this was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

[@alexmccarthy2095]

VOTE "aye"

[@joshuacoldwater]

They shot themselves in the foot with the release date, it gave the voting board 9 days to see the film 4 of them were holidays. A release that close to the deadline is risky for a sports film. I would be shocked if there were any votes- which is awful.

[@smiffy68]

If only it hadn't been for all those better pictures, better actors, better directors and better screenplays. So close.

[@ItsDrew9]

@@smiffy68 you must be fun at parties

[@HaleyHearts]

@@ItsDrew9 he wants a reaction

[@tech_smurf]

This is one of the greatest movies that I have ever seen. Zac's performance was Oscar worthy. I'm also a brother and this broke me. Incredible movie and incredible performances.

[@cjpatz]

FYI: When Dad Fritz was talking to Kerry after getting the WWF Intercontinental Belt in 51:04, he said that “Your tag team partner Hellwig has nothing on you, never has.” Who he was referring to was James Brian Hellwig, AKA The Ultimate Warrior!

[@mikes6457]

i appreciate you getting the difference of public opinion from fake to predetermined. pisses me off when folks are willfully ignorant of what's going on

[@katashworth41]

There’s a great line in Fighting With My Family, when someone says it’s fake and Nick Frost’s character just angrily replies “It’s not fake. It’s fixed.”

[@jasondelgado-yg5mj]

The entire series of Dark Side of the Ring is phenomenal. Every episode is riveting,even if you’re not familiar with that particular wrestler.

[@dsouu9139]

Y'all should check out the bear with Jeremy Allen White, hh definitely climbing up my list as a phenomenal actor

[@donavoncollins2891]

Bro Nikki cut that promo like she’s been in the business for a long time hahaha

[@BenTanner92]

Definitely check out Dark Side of the Ring episode on the Von Erichs. This movie is amazing and definitely the documentary gives some more deep dive into the family and the brother Chris who did not appear in the movie.

[@davidforestieri4784]

When Dad says to Kerry that Helwig was doing well, i was like "good shirt choice"

[@joekerr7975]

Ironic Nikki asked is the The Claw from Liar Liar the same as the Iron Claw because the same actress who played Doty was the mother in Liar Liar (Maura Tierney)

[@tgardner11]

I was cracking up at that too!

[@jermainemartinez8282]

Her version of the claw in liar liar was hilarious I loved it.

[@xero2135]

The scene with Kevin on the sidelines and the other guy in the ring after Mike wakes from his coma, is supposed to be depicting the brief period of time in which Fritz enlisted a fellow wrestler to play Lance Von Erich a kayfabe relative of the family, (as a result of Mike’s coma.) (I reiterate this part of the story in my second comment.)

[@bigjoeofthe707]

It sucks Chris was left out of the movie entirely. His story is more tragic.

[@gleam6370]

I didn’t know this until after I watched the movie and it changed how I felt about it. I don’t understand why they excluded him

[@jackspry9736]

@gleam6370 the reason why Chris was not included in the movie because according to Sean Durkin, the director of the movie said "it was one more tragedy that the film couldn't really withstand".

[@jxchamb]

​@@gleam6370The director said it would have been too much for the audience. Just too much sadness. So they combined two brothers into one.

[@colterwilliams3152]

Still a great movie

[@Divamarja_CA]

Yeah, I looked up the family in Wikipedia before watching the movie and learned about the omitted son. So tragic! It vaguely reminded me of the downplaying of the number of saved lives by Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge - no one would believe it. Different side of the coin, but same POV.

[@wakaflockachewbacca6577]

I first watched this with my older half brother who I’m very close with. It was the third time he had seen it and we both cried, stood up and hugged each other. Plus I have 4 other brothers as well (2 half, 2 step, and a step sister) and this movie moved me more than any other movie I’ve watched. I’ve watched it 5 more times since I first watched it.

[@sway3055]

What sucks that this movie didn’t get nominated for no awards also it didn’t get the recognition at all..Zac Efron deserved an award for this movie he did a really good job. This movie made me cry at end.

[@michaelpalma6346]

I love how they mention Hellwig in the movie, and you’re wearing a shirt with the Ultimate Warrior on it, nice touch lol.

[@rodneywoodcock8235]

Remember when Hellwig was in WCCW along side the Von Erich's and known as the Dingo Warrior? Even when he became the "Ultimate" Warrior in the WWF, I still called him the Dingo having known him from his World Class days.

[@donaldmcclurejr.494]

Great reaction, Nikki and Steven. The Von Erichs family, like Steven, said are a royal family of wrestling. They consisted of six brothers. Jack, Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris. In the 1980's Dallas Tx and Fort Worth Tx area they were the go to family of wrestling. That's how it's been presented to me and I'm sure many others when watching wrestling biographies on them as a wrestling family. Once again, great reaction Nikki and Steven reacts!

[@AlpineJohn]

Even though I already knew their story, seeing it on-screen broke my heart. One of the few movies that actually made me cry.

[@MFBloosh]

Damn I didn't even know they were making a movie about the Von Erich family. Their story is so heartbreaking, yet inspiring at the same time.

[@maritzanav212]

This movie was so well done. I remember when I was younger watching the Von Erich' s every weekend, those were some classic matches. Hopefully, one day we get more movies on the other wrestling families.

[@HIfinest]

Just so unfortunate they left out Chris Von Erich out this great movie

[@Crimsonzs]

The real life situation was so much worse. The director cut out another Von Erich in fear the movie would be TOO depressing. But Chris also killed himself because he had a lot of expectations to be a Von Erich and he couldn't fullfill them.

[@jxchamb]

I also learned that the gun Kerry shot himself with was actually a Father's Day gift which is even more tragic.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@jxchamb that's in the movie

[@jxchamb]

@@johnnyskinwalker4095 I thought it was a Christmas gift in the movie?

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

@@jxchamb oh shit you may be right

[@akil_almaeiz5652]

They are all named Adkisson, that scene with the baby name is like if Hulk Hogan had to tell a nurse his name is really Terry

[@lenorawilson2326]

I was a wrestling fan growing up in the 80s, and Kerry was my favorite too. Yes from way back when WWE was the WWF. Kerry and the Ultimate Warrior were my favorite two. I remember reading in a magazine years later how Kerry was forced to wrestle after he lost his foot, which I too never knew that he lost his foot. From my understanding he may not had lost his foof if he wasn't forced to get back in the ring so soon. But only a few short months after he lost his foot the one of the wrestlers whom was being interviewed said the witnesses the promoters dope Kerry up with so much drugs; it could have floored a horse. Just for him to go out and rustle a 2 and a half minute match. I remember thinking how crazy that was. Yeah so many wrestlers were on drugs in the 70s, 80s especially and 90s until Hulk Hogan testified again Vince McMahon. Then WWE started under going strict drugs testing, steroids was the biggest drugs being used, because WWF were only pushing and promoting the biggest guys back then. If you'll notice a lot of the wrestlers from the late 80s and early 90s how they suddenly dropped a lot of weight and muscles its because they could no longer use steroids to keep their physique without it. Loved your reactions 😊.

[@metalparasite]

Kerry wrestled as the Texas Tornado in the WWF with 1 foot. Only a few people he trusted knew about it. I'm not 100% sure who knew, but I think he hung out with Roddy Piper with his boots off because he trusted Roddy. Fantastically tragic movie this was.

[@SilentBob731]

0:01 Loving the Cold Stone Steve Austin t-shirt. Brilliant call-back... 🤣🤣🤣 1:29 Exactly! Pro Wrestlers (the good ones) are some of the Greatest Stunt-Men & Women in History. Mad respect for these folks.

[@JeepersCreepers2013]

I saw Kevin wrestle around 1984 I think. I have friends who played high football against a couple of them. I loved Kerry but Kevin was always my favorite. I got to sit up with my great grandfather on Saturday nights and watch wrestling from the Sportatoreum on TV. Amazing memories but that story is so tragic. Still remember the day David was found dead.

[@rodneywoodcock8235]

I was a mega wrestling fan in the 1980's and 90's. WCCW was one of my favorite territories and of course the Von Erich's were the kings. The movie didn't really do their level of fame the justice it deserved. Kevin, David, and Kerry were like the Beatles, especially in Texas, they were literally rock stars. Kevin was always my favorite of the brothers, and I remember when each one died, we wrestling fans were in shock, and we couldn't believe it. I was so afraid that Kevin would fall to the family curse, but I believe that being a family man is ultimately what saved him. I can't imagine the toll that losing all his brothers took on him. All things considered, great movie. As I understand it, Chris was kept out of the movie, as the writer felt that another suicide would have just been too much. Chris and Mike's stories are very similar, so the character of Mike and his death represent both Chris and Mike for the sake of the story.

[@cuddlywinterbearinhybernat250]

YES I've been waiting for this! Can't wait to watch! So grateful for all you two do!!

[@user-es4bd6xp1w]

I remember I was like 6 or 7 My dad took us to a wrestling match. in the Dallas area. I saw Fritz von Erich their dad, Rockey Johson the Rocks dad grandpa chief Mavia and Andrea the giant. Even had all the photos and were signed by them. They got burned up in A fire. I would have loved to still have them photos.

[@evildano1313]

Kevin used the top rope crossbody and body scissors as well as the claw as finishers. Kevin was an absolute freakish athlete.

[@dnllrnt]

Well done movie. A lot of history shoved into a 2+ hour movie, some events were a little wonky, but nonetheless a very well made movie. Had to rewatch Dark Side of the Ring on the Von Erichs.

[@brockbaby]

I give them credit for doing the best they could without making this thing into a 6 hour TV series. And yes... the Dark Side of the Ring is a must have companion to watch along with this!

[@LouieR.4682]

I grew up watching them on TV and in live matches. It was a requirement living in Texas. Once the bad karma happened, it was depressing to watch it play out the way it did.

[@brittanysandusky9466]

I lost my baby brother a month ago and IDK why i watched this fkn movie but man it hit the feels so incredibly hard. The closeness of the brothers and wanting to do everything together. It was like me amd my brother. Such great performances

[@SonOvLaw]

Yes, Kerry Von Erich did wrestle for years after the accident with a prosthetic foot. If you watch his WWF matches, you'll notice one of his legs has the natural calf/ankle/foot shape, and the other is completely wrapped up and covered from the knee down.

[@tejida815]

Jeremy Allen White also starring in The Bear. 🐻💪

[@markymarkr9233]

Been waiting for this edit !!

[@alexfroelich3404]

Check out the Von Erich episode from ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ Kevin himself tells the full story. I think dark side of the ring is on Hulu rn

[@NikkiStevenReact]

we actually watched it the next day - well done documentary and such a tragic story.

[@stevenflores5988]

My brother wanted to show me this movie for the longest time and after a while we finally found time in our schedules to hang and watch it. Safe to say I lost it and hugged him right as soon as the credits rolled.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

1. the three Von Erich brothers could have been huge stars everywhere. And that is insanely rare. Esp. David and Kerry. David had the southern style NWA World champion and could have been feuding with Ric Flair for years. And it was said that if Vince McMahon could not get Hulk Hogan, his next aim would have been Kerry Von Erich. He would have had the WWF profile of muscle-bound guys with charisma. 2. Kevin was asked questions about the movie during interviews and he said his dad was not like portrayed in the movie. They exagerated stuff for dramatic purposes. They made him more of a jerk in the flick. 3. Physically speaking, the only guys that was close to the real life persons in the movie were David Von Erich and Fritz Von Erich. The other actors were excellent but they did not visually look like them. The Kerry Von Erich actor was just WAY too small. Kerry Von Erich was a massive aninmal with a body builder body. Close to the Ultimate Warrior. 4. Kerry indeed did not have a foot for a long time without anybody knowing, including when he was in the WWF. It never showed. I remember as a kid having seen Kerry before and he was great. But when I saw him in the WWF, I thought he was so limited in his repertoire. He didn't do much in the ring, even against a great wrestler like Mr. Perfect. All he did was his Tornado punch over and over. He didn't even do suplexes. His lack of a foot would explain that.

[@lorddjgoliath1809]

@40:16 - Kerry Von Erich lost his foot in 1986; he debuted for WWF in 1990. It was kept a secret from anyone who the family determined didn't need to know for decades.

[@arodz21]

Growing up here in Texas in the 80's, I was a massive WCCW fan and saw the Von Erichs live many times. This movie is fairly accurate. But there are some time line inaccuracies. Also, this movie left out the youngest brother Chris, who also took his own life. I thought that was somewhat disrespectful to the family. The director said he chose to leave him out because he didn't want to pile on what was already a very dower story and to not make it a long film that would be considered depressing.

[@JacobPMendoza]

40:15 Yes. Kerry’s motorcycle happened a couple years after he won the title from Flair. Fritz made the brothers take an oath to never let the world know Kerry had a prosthetic leg. After Kerry died, his secret was revealed.

[@jasondelgado-yg5mj]

You guys are awesome!!! I can’t wait to see your reactions. Saw this in theaters. I HIGHLY recommend you watch Dark Side of the Ring: Last of the Von Erichs.

[@SilentBob731]

23:39 "Yup, that's "Tom Sawyer" by Rush, one of the Greatest Rock Songs in Music History. 🤘🤘🤘

[@bigjoeofthe707]

1:06:14 yes he was. He played Lance Von Erich. The cousin. Excuse me mean “cousin”. This was around when Mike went down with his injury and Fritz didn’t want Kevin & Kerry to be the only 2 and Chris was still too young. So they enlisted a local wrestler to become Lance the son of Waldo the kayfabe brother of Fritz ( when Fritz wrestled Waldo was his tag partner. Which btw their gimmick was of a not-see). But however with Texas being football country and “Lance” being a well known high school footballer at one point people recognized “Lance Von Erich” and weren’t happy and some stopped going to shows. Eventually Fritz had to end the “Lance Von Erich” bit

[@lesliedaubert1411]

Kevin did wrestle barefoot. He's still alive. He helped out a little with the movie. He saw it and liked it. He also liked the way each actor portrayed the brothers , including Zac Efron portraying himself, Kevin. Kerry had some kids. It's good that Kevin got the large family he wanted, even though his brothers weren't in it.

[@QueenB_Hyve]

I was a HUGE fan of the old school. My grandpa told me stories about Harley Race, The Von Erichs, The 4 Horsemen and so much more. I just loved them all. I learned to appreciate the guys of the old school and I wound up with VERY high standards of what a great wrestler needed to have. When Tough Enough aired....ooooooo I would be BRUUUUTAL when it came to seeing what the guys and girls they brought to train came in. I'm so proud of these boys and what they did for this movie. They did right by that family!

[@amirfilmsstuff893]

I didnt know anything about the Von Erichs as im an "01 baby but i grew up watching wrestling and falling in love with it, that love faded away in the mid 2010s but man watching this was phenomenally nostalgic. Been watching so much wrestling since i first watched the movie. AND THE ENDING UGH. I lost my brother before i was born and i had always wanted to have a sibling. I cried when my mom first told me about my lost brother and the "i used to be a brother, and im not a brother anymore" just broke me. Daddy issues dont help either as when Kevin started yelling and choking the dad.. FUCK UGH I WANT TO DO THAT I FELT THE PAIN!! great reaction guys love it

[@xsnowpirate10x]

Another wild part is that there’s another brother Chris who tried to get into the business too but he was much smaller he had brittle bones and asthma so he ended up dying too because he felt like he couldn’t keep up also there’s a story that Fritz the dad developed a brain tumor and held Kevin at gun point almost killing him because Fritz could handle it anymore then another story is that Kevin stole a gun from a gun store and his plan was either to shoot himself or go to jail for robbery to end the curse but the gun store owner and a couple guys knew who Kevin was and they said “Love you Kev” and that 1 little sentence prevent Kevin from dying

[@deltablaze77]

The brother Mike, when he couldn't play music, knowing it was leading to him taking his own life, I've never seen anything more heart wrenching in a film in my life.

[@xero2135]

The movie’s narrative is a condensed version of the story taking place from the end of the 70’s with the story wrapping up sometime after Kerry’s departure in February of 1993 just weeks after his 33rd birthday, some events are moved around or played concurrently to later occurrences but Iron Claw largely sticks the landing on the story of the Von Erich family. An example of events being moved around or condensed for dramatic effect, is the sequence of events going from David’s feud with Flair to Kerry’s accident, David’s feud with Flair was in 1983-1984 with a title shot set up for 84, Kevin married Pam in 1980, David died in February of 1984 as such his match with Flair at Parade of Champions becomes a Memorial Event with Kerry facing Flair in the ring and winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship Belt from him, unfortunately due to reasons only Kerry would have known he no-showed a couple of times and so the NWA swiftly arranged for the title to pass back to Flair in 84, Mike dislocating his shoulder and lapsing into a coma happened in Israel in 1985, during the period he was out of action another wrestler was brought in and given a new gimmick to fill Mike’s spot, this wrestler would be renamed Lance Von Erich, this is depicted in the scene with Kevin on the sidelines outside the ring wanting to be tagged in, and finally Kerry gets into a motorcycle accident in 86 though according to the real Kevin he didn’t lose the foot in the accident, it had to be amputated because he tried to walk on it too soon.

[@xero2135]

There’s also David’s first marriage in 78 which fell apart after the couple’s baby daughter died of sudden infant death syndrome, he’d married again in 82.

[@TheDopestOlivellaOnEarth]

I definitely grew up watching Kerry in WWF, but I grew up 100 miles up I-30 from Dallas, so I saw the Von Erichs a lot. I moved out of Texas in 1993. The week before I moved I got to see Kevin wrestle in the civic center/fairgrounds building in my town.

[@mckill85]

I'm so glad you guys reviewed this. I already knew the story before they made this film.....but it still broke my heart 💔💔

[@goatvoicestwin1859]

Hey guys...thanks for the reaction. Considering everything it was a great one. I also grew up watching wrestling and the Von Erlich family were some of my favorite wrestlers. Not only cause their talent and abilities cause they were also from Texas. As a kid and teen...I endured every tragedy as it happened. Broke my hear. Especially cause I considered them heroes. Sucks that they left the little brother Chris out of the movie. He may have had the worst experience.

[@MiketheratguyMultimedia]

I remember when people were first talking about the trailer for this movie. I thought "Ooh boy. They don't know what they're in for". But even I was surprised by the last five or so minutes. That scene in Heaven, and "I used to be a brother, now I'm not a brother anymore", just really get me. It's such a sad story that the director said that if he'd included any more deaths the audience just wouldn't have even believed it.

[@namco003]

Literally came here to finally find out, as I was curious but never bothered asking. Last couple of years watching your channel, you are both so jacked, I thought you were either body builders, did wrestling, or just a couple of healthy kids, as I was working out a lot more around the time, hoping to have a match with local indie wrestlers, when I found your channel, which is probably why I came here to begin with. Figured if you did wrestling you would have said it here, but you're fans of wrestling, and I also heard of the Von Erichs, but don't know much about them. Btw, I have the same Mania shirt.

[@RandyRogers-zo1dz]

The punch originally called the spinning discus punch, but changed to tornado punch once in the wwf. Obviously because he was a great discus thrower.

[@jayetoler1923]

Nikki nailing that promo was epic 😂💀

[@superdave577]

The issue of Kerry's foot was a bit of creative liberty. Kerry did not lose his foot after the accident, but he did damage it horribly. His father, no shocker here, pushed Kerry to get back into the ring before the foot had completely healed and against doctors advise. Due to that, the damage got worse, and he had to have the foot amputated. His time in the WWF was short (I remember his debut and was very excited) due to the pain and eventual letting go as he just couldn't preform. Nobody knew he was wearing a prosthetic at that time; he worked very hard to hide it. Very sad. The pain and suffering Kevin has had to endure in his life is staggering. A true man to take that on the chin and keep moving forward. It is no surprise the Kevin is very protective of all of his kids to this day because of the treatment he and his brothers received from their parents.

[@jp-47471]

He definitely had a prosthetic in his WWF days

[@NikkiStevenReact]

That’s wild and incredible

[@benjaminbarrow2449]

Movie was great 👍 thanks for checking this one out

[@NikkiStevenReact]

really well done

[@joshuacoldwater]

46:19 - Ric Flair also has blue/green eyes 😂

[@jasonaugustine3370]

In real life, David was 6 foot eight and Kevin and Carrie were both 6 foot two

[@michaelbrewer2069]

I cannot recommend The Bear enough. Jeremy Allen White is PHENOMENAL in that series.

[@QueenB_Hyve]

It scares me that the scene that was the interview with Mike at the hospital ....that sounded WAAAAAAAY TOO MUCH like the actual interview. It made me cry seeing that. He was a baby

[@crash777burn]

Kerry's run as NWA World Heavyweight Champion didn't end as a result of the motorcycle accident. It did last a few weeks before he lost the rematch to Ric Flair. The motorcycle accident was a couple years after his title run. Kerry eventually wrestled in the WWF after he lost the limb. There was another brother that was the youngest, Chris. He wasn't shown in the movie, and unfortunately took his own life as well.

[@Zohancult]

RIP Chris, Mike, David and Kerry

[@christianbrienesse]

Great reaction. For me this is the greatest movie ever made. That heaven scene as well really got me…37 years old and watched this in the theatre here in London…bawled my eyes out at that scene.

[@CopiousTurtle]

At 51:00 I’m surprised you didn’t catch Kerry’s tag team partner Hellwig’s name drop. That’s Jim Hellwig, none other than the Ultimate Warrior! I love the classic Easter eggs in this movie (if you can call them Easter eggs).

[@alexmccarthy2095]

watch loads of you guys!! first comment just cause...lved u did this wonderful nostalgic tragedy to react to. i.e. 34 :20 onwards spirit apparition was -as you say, NICE! first Gem24 ASummer surprise flick!

[@joshuabarnett88]

This WrestleMania 6 shirt is breaking my mind the entire video. I've found a picture of the full one but it makes no sense for the card in general. Warrior fought Hogan, Piper fought Bad News Brown, Jake Roberts fought DiBiasi and Savage didn't even have a match...I can't stop looking at it and being confused as to why it's a 6 shirt. Originally I thought it was a 7 one since that's when Warrior and Savage fought... I'm so confused!

[@williammccormick984]

It's just a BRUTAL story. They legitimately wrote out Chris Von Erich because the filmmakers didn't think audiences could handle another brother dying. It was "too much to be believable." That's how tragic the Von Erich story is. It's legend.

[@iamcopperhead]

That's the mom from Liar Liar. Also I think that's Jim Ross playing the promo announcer. I still remember seeing them live as a kid in fort worth tx

[@kcthecat]

the stories of Harley Race ripping phone books in half with his hands is insanity.

[@r-smokey5741]

This movie was amazing. As a brother who also lost his brother a few years ago those last scene’s with Kerry meeting his brothers in the afterlife and Kevin with his sons just hit me hard. Also Nikki where did you get that Steve Austin shirt I gotta get it for my girlfriend she loves calling him Cold Stone.

[@akil_almaeiz5652]

The baby in the movie is actually supposed to be twins who are now a tag team

[@vincentjoyce5100]

Growing up our Saturday nights were spent watching wrestling. Even saw them at the Sportatorium in Dallas a couple times.

[@dtgstl3148]

In the scene where Fritz is asking Kerry when he's gonna get his shot at the WWF World title, he makes a reference to Kerry's old partner, Hellwig. As in James Hellwig, better known by his ring name, the Ultimate Warrior. Warrior won the World title from Hulk Hogan in April 1990 at Wrestlemania VI, Kerry signed with WWE in June 1990 and won the Intercontinental title two months later at Summerslam.

[@nathanhollywoodbrookshire1417]

Ross and Marshall are the Von Erich’s on AEW, the sons of Kevin and Marshall Von Erich also wrestles barefooted like his dad.

[@Adino1]

Wrestling fan born in 79' I can relate. I thought I knew the story but this movie still devastated me.

[@babafrmdaraq7692]

Thank you more ppl reacting to this movie 😂

[@stubbornscorpio7]

I was a huge fan of the Von Erichs when I was a kid. Even without the internet back in the day, the story of their father and how he ran his family was very well known.

[@thehawk515]

Nikki's promo