World Class Bios - David Von Erich

A look at the life and pro wrestling career of David Von Erich, from growing up in a wrestling family to his moment as the uncrowned World Champion.
Note: WWE has basically forced me to butcher this video with copyright claims on snippets of a few seconds after being up almost a month. I will put up an audio only version of this World Class Bios and others so the entire thing will be available.
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[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

WWE has basically forced me to butcher this video with copyright claims on snippets of a few seconds after being up almost a month. I will put up an audio only version of this World Class Bios and others so the entire thing will be available.

[@trentaccid2177]

SAD

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

David would have ushered in an era of pro wrestling that the NWA was not used to at the time. World Class helped pioneer an uptempo stiff style of wrestling, and David, being 6'7" and about 250 and also a natural athlete fit the bill as an imposing champion and one who could back it up. That would have made NWA a very hot property for younger, more athletic wrestlers, and they could have gone against what Vince McMahon was doing in the WWF at the time. A Flair-Von Erich feud could have lasted for years and drawn plenty of money. They could have fought it out the rest of the 80s, easily.

[@trentaccid2177]

SADELY DAVID WAS A DRUG ADDICT

[@romainlavoie1526]

Excellent documentary - it's unbelievable that 40 y ears after his passing , David remains such a hot topic among sports fans. To me there is no question that if David stays among us the entire history of wrestling takes a different turn. The sport was hot in the 80's - it would just have gotten hotter .

[@josephnicolino8529]

If David lived and if Magnum hadn't got in a car accident are the biggest what ifs in wrestling IMO.

[@oscarl.ramirez7355]

Thank you for the Upload of Mr. DVE. He was a little before my time as a fan of Pro Wrestling.

[@Cross_roads_exp]

david would had been a heck of a champ. if he had lived thanks for sharing

[@josephdelledonne2098]

From the videos I've seen David is definitely the best wrestler and talker. I think he had the most charisma and could see why he was the breakout star that feuded with Race and Flair and was slated to win the NWA title.

[@jayharvey7043]

These are some of the more thorough bios I've seen, thanks.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

I appreciate that. The early ones i worried about length, but once I did the one on Bruiser Brody I decided to give myself a little more room and it has worked out well.

[@diablo666541]

​@@AViewFromTheMiddle I believe you Richard blood confused with tito santana . He became Ricky steamboat

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@diablo666541 They both used the name.

[@Trailblazer610]

David was my favorite Von Erich. I was so sad as a kid when he died....

[@JuliusC1973]

As someone who followed World Class Championship Wrestling through reading Match Results in Pro Wrestling Illustrated, The Wrestler and Inside Wrestling and then seeing WCCW in Syndication after David Von Erich's Passing, thank you for posing this. I hadn't seen a lot of David Von Erich Interviews, Promos and Matches until recently. Now, I am seeing more and more David Von Erich Information posted in You Tube and I am learning a lot that I did not know. I'm learning a lot from what you have posted.

[@JoshuaTraffanstedt]

Only like 10 or 15 bucks a month.

[@ItStartsWithAStep]

Interesting hearing about David Von Erich :D looks like he had a pretty cool career :D

[@shannonbarnwell3114]

Richard Blood was Ricky Steamboat not Tito Santana., But I love your content keep up the great work!!!

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name. Santana used it in Georgia and Mid Atlantic before he became Tito Santana in the WWF.

[@rgn87654]

These are really good. Thanks for sharing. I love hearing about feuds and different title reigns.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Glad you like them!

[@ChrisHughes-q1v]

We still miss you David. Growing up, I couldn't believe he was gone. It was a shock, unfortunately the shock would repeat itself , 4 more times counting Brodys death. It should of been David vs Magnum TA for the belt. 😢

[@JosephMiller-gh6mv]

You can see why when Fritz saw Taker he said he looks like David and about the same height but if Kerry could've had David's height and Kevin athletic ability who would've the biggest star in the business

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

If Kerry could've cut a better promo it would have been a huge game changer.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Your delivery and knowledge are both very impressive...

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

I appreciate that. You might change your mind after the one I have coming up. Haha. I had kind of a tough time with it but I think it's coming out okay.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle Lol, I'm sure it will be another high quality production

[@peterfreeman3317]

The cage shot that changed wrestling….WCCW exploded.

[@davidfrederick1971]

Did not hear that David had a daughter, whom died early in life too. Wow was the family cursed.

[@mightymight4348]

Ive always felt von erich fam an hart fam started it all js. Thn mcmhan came an took over all.

[@prowrestlingmags]

Ahh the comments from the shotgun mouth wrestling scholars out there! They’re chomping at the bit waiting eagerly to try to correct everyone without knowing the facts themselves. They know it all don’t they? “They both used the name” lol that was a nice slap across the cheek lesson for the know it alls. You must have gotten sick of typing that.. Great job on the video friend. I just subbed! I’ll be sending my small faithful followers to your channel. I think they will enjoy it too.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Oh my gosh. Between that and 'The Dallas Texans became the Chiefs not the Colts" in another video it makes me wish I could add a pop up video. It would really blow the mind of some people if they knew there was a jobber in World Class in the early 80s named Richard Blood too.

[@prowrestlingmags]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle haha I hear that man! A 3rd. Blood? I never knew that one thank you.

[@KnightBoat]

​@@AViewFromTheMiddleRespect for knowing your football history too.

[@reganbowen8828]

My God David Von Erich was amazing!!

[@travelpl66]

good job my friend👍12

[@missytucker5202]

David 💛 Heaven Needed A Champion ...

[@NaturalMojobypamelasylvan]

Very exclusive ❤❤❤❤❤sharing

[@nDtCoLlEcTsWrAsSLiN_VHS]

Nice bios research video here

[@jrod7639]

Wasn't Richard Blood actually Ricky Steamboat not Tito Santana?

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name. Santana actually used it longer, but Steamboat gained the notoriety for it because it's his real name.

[@silvercondition]

I forgot, Tito did use the name and I think a couple of other people did too

[@drwho-hj1pu]

Im convinced had david not left for japan and stayed in the states and looked after his stomach problems he would still be alive.

[@martezberry3164]

One crazy thing we never think of is, .. what if David wins NWA world belt and passes away as champion ___ super devastating as well

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

I did think about that when I was watching the movie.

[@OldFatTank]

Richard Blood is Ricky Steamboat, not Tito Santana 😊

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@OldFatTank]

Ahhh

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Wild Bill Irwin brings up that David had Bulimia . He would vomit and gorge . The research I did on Bulimia suggests Enteritis is very likely . I did see video of him looking bloated and clammy , rubbing his side . It was during an Interview Kevin was on discussing Davids gastro problem . It did look to me that he was ill . He was pasty white and supposedly this was the week before his Japan tour . Kevin went on to say he had flu like symptoms for more than a week before going to Japan . While I do not have problem believing David partied I have come to believe his Cause of Death was Acute Enteritis .

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

I've heard the Bulimia thing before. That's the thing with David's death, just like with Bruiser Brody, if you ask ten different wrestlers you might get ten different answers. I do know that many times when it comes to stomach problems a person can get what feels like hunger pains, and I wonder if that's what happened with David when he ate all that food.

[@drwho-hj1pu]

If he had not left for Japan and stayed in the states David would have lived.

[@jeraldgardiepy1866]

Wasn't richard blood rick steamboat!

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@FrankBeingFrank]

Weird that Richard blood was once a ring name of Tito Santana but is the government name of ricky the dragon steamboat … there has to be a back story to that

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@FrankBeingFrank Yeah it is odd. I don't know if Tito picked it or they picked it for him.

[@FrankBeingFrank]

@@AViewFromTheMiddlemy guess is that they were taking shots at steamboat for some reason trying to get under his skin kind of like when their was a jobber named davey meltzer or when the road dogg and Billy Gunn were the VKM voodoo kin mafia which I’m sure you know are Vince McMahons initials. They tend to do petty stuff like that or at least they did I’m sure they still do lol

[@jerryback305]

Richard Blood was not tito santana it was ricky steamboat

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@countrydrummergirl7581]

Good video the only problem is richard blood wasnt tito santana richard blood was a young ricky steamboat.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Actually they both used the name.

[@countrydrummergirl7581]

I forgot he used it in 1977/78 and steamboat in the early 80s

[@Wrath79]

I thought Richard Blood was Ricky steamboat maybe I'm wrong nor trying to correct

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name. Santana actually used it longer, but for whatever reason Steamboat became more connected to the name.

[@Wrath79]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle awesome content I grew up watching WCCW and I didn't know that about Steamboat thank you

[@CoreyT127]

Damn. Baby macho man at 5:25

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Yeah just kind of looks like some guy you'd see in line at Circle K buying smokes.

[@howardcraigiv518]

Rumor has it that the Sportatorium had one of the worst rings. Hard as a rock some wrestlers say, even worse than the old WWF Rings. Supposedly each ring post was constructed under concrete. So i know it had to feel rough being thrown into them turn buckles. Great Peace 👍🏻

[@jakewilcken6602]

Michael Hayes said in an interview, it was like being slammed on wrestling mats in a gym, ya know that Inch thick blue shit? I'd take that over the sportatorium ring but I loved every single bump. 😮😂😂😂 BADSTREET

[@freiza79]

the fries were really good at the Sportatorium. they drained the oil and found rat bones. at least they were less toxic than mc donalds fries

[@jeffpoole4039]

Richard Blood was not Tito Santana, Richard Blood is Ricky Steamboat

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@jeffpoole4039 They both used the name

[@jackgoff9506]

Saw a match in orlando where yellow dog vs one of the russians...during the match..a man waas sitting in front of us stood up eith a boot in his hand...now we were a good hundred yds from the ring...the russian had just best the hell out of yellow dog...as the russian paraded around the ring...the man threw the boot toward the ring...just as the russian turn toward us...bam...the boot hit the russian square in the face...the russian went straight down...as the yellow dog was down and waiting on the russian to finish him off...he couldn't figure out why the match wasnt going on..until he looked over and saw the russian out cold. .hundred yards...what a throw

[@MichaelSolis-b6z]

Excuse me but Richard Blood was known as Ricky The Dragon Steamboat and Merced Solis was known as Tito Santana

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@MichaelSolis-b6z They both used the name.

[@craighoward6243]

CAN SOME PLEASE 🙏 ANSWER MY QUESTION. IF DAVID WOULD HAVE LIVED, WOULD HE MADE IT BIG IN. WWF

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

It's one of the great "What ifs" in pro wrestling. What if David Von Erich didn't die? It's hard to know what would happen. I don't know if David would have meshed well with Vince, but many people believe that if David had lived the WWF wouldn't have been the premiere organization in wrestling, it would be World Class.

[@craighoward6243]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle thanks

[@jakewilcken6602]

I'd say maybe , once Kerry left I think he'd have been champ in wccw or maybe face bokwinkel or go to njp

[@nataliecainan6787]

Richard Blood is Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@victorianoreyes3642]

Richard blood was Ricky steamboat

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@victorianoreyes3642]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle Really ?? Hmm learned something new.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@victorianoreyes3642 Santana started out under his real name, them used Richard Blood in Georgia and Mid Atlantic, then went back to his real name in Western States. Then on to WWF and Tito Santana.

[@bigfootaintreal5454]

I believe the narrator is Star Maker Kenny Bollin!!!!!

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

That's a new one.

[@bigfootaintreal5454]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle I believe that was " SARCASM". Im an old man, why are you so mean 😢

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@bigfootaintreal5454 ... Huh?

[@diablo666541]

Bill Irwin went to david room when he died.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

He did go. I've heard him tell two different stories and don't know if he was with the group that initially went up or not or came up after.

[@diablo666541]

Didnt david take piece harley races scalp stuck on fingers . N supposed keeps as souvenir . It angle that never got goin.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Not that I remember, but it might have just been something he said during a promo or something

[@jeraldgardiepy1866]

Wan't starcade dusty's idea!!

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Yeah, but it was with Crockett's promotion.

[@paulschaefer5485]

Tito the dragon Santana

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Yes... I know... They both used the name.

[@jasoncoward-aintscared]

Merced Solis is Tito. Dick Blood is Steamboat.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name. In fact, Santana used the name Richard Blood even longer than Steamboat did when he was in Georgia and Mid Atlantic.

[@jasoncoward-aintscared]

@@AViewFromTheMiddle I never knew that. I wonder why he chose that name. Steamboat wanted to avoid being called Dick Blood. And who could blame him.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@jasoncoward-aintscared It's a name for sure. Might be neither of them chose it and it was given to them by someone. Santana went back to his real name when he went to Western States before he went to WWF and became Tito Santana.

[@diablo666541]

Richard blood became ricky steamboat not tito santana . Smh 😂

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

They both used the name.

[@pauljoyner4338]

​@@AViewFromTheMiddle Richard Blud is Ricky Steamboat's real name. On the birth certificate real name. Steamboat only used his real name briefly. When he went to CWF Eddie Graham made him Ricky Steamboat. Sam Steamboat's nephew was the story.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

@@pauljoyner4338 Yes, it is his real name. Tito Santana and at least one other also used it. And Tito Santana was actually Merced Solis.

[@RoyStantz]

Fritz did pull strings in Japan to not have David's autopsy results made public. Bruiser Brody did tell that story, and while he was many things, lying about it is not one of them. Yes, David was ill, and no doubt it contributed to his death, but the reality is Gastroenteritis was highly unlikely to have killed him, because most deaths from it are the young and elderly, not 25-year-old fit athletes. Of course Fritz had put out multiple bullshit stories about how his son died as well, such as David had eaten bad sushi despite him only eating at Ribera's Steak House, or he had taken a bad bump during a match in Japan, but the tour hadn't even begun. This is why the Von Erich family have zero credibility.

[@AViewFromTheMiddle]

Autopsy reports in Japan are not made public and are not even shared with the bereaved, so no strings needed to be pulled. Acute enteritis, if it reaches that level and is left untreated, can cause death in someone any age or condition. The key word is "most". As for the "bullshit stories", it was 1984 and instant communication was not a thing. When they did talk to someone who was there, days later, common sense would tell someone their first question wasn't "Where did David eat?" In trying to make sense of it all, a person might think out loud, "Maybe he ate some sushi and it aggravated what was wrong." The problem then becomes "wrestling journalists" will then grab a line like that, especially one that has openly disliked the Von Erichs, and push it forward. It will then be repeated by their readers, many of whom will add their own flavor with their own bullshit. Eventually you get someone that reads something and simply repeats it with zero effort put into placing it into context or making sure everything in the claim can be factual. I wasn't in Japan with David, I didn't perform the autopsy, I can't say with no doubt whatsoever what happened. What I can say is that the base of the story, that David died of acute enteritis, is not only believable it is likely. The factual holes are in the conspiracy theories.

[@QuartzMatrixed]

He was a stumbling goofball. But he could wrestle.