The Story of The Von Erich Family

[@purodeathcore]

"I used to be the oldest brother and now I'm not even a brother"-Kevin Von Erich on the vice documentary about his family and if that quote isn't one the most depressing things you've ever seen idk what is...

[@spatiumettempus5118]

And technically he was a younger brother too!

[@ronaldneumann1187]

Did they all die? Or is there still one left?

[@spatiumettempus5118]

@@ronaldneumann1187 Kevin is still alive. He lives in Hawaii. Jack was electrocuted, David overdosed, Kerry shot himself, Mike overdosed, and Chris shot himself.

[@ziahamm1603]

@@spatiumettempus5118 Davids cause of Death is not really clear to be fair as its also claimed he died because of a stomach issue that was fatal. Either way its a real shame and a tragedy what happened to this family.

[@spatiumettempus5118]

@@ziahamm1603 True, it’s not clear. Something about his appendix erupting is another rumour.

[@Vrinara]

The Von Erich name does still technically live on with Kevins sons. I am glad they are wrestling. just wish the rest of the family could of seen them. Even though they had their problems. They were and still are very loved. My dad would always talk about the claw and the Von Erichs. I lost my dad in 2009. 2 days after Christmas. His love for the Von Erichs lives on with me.

[@thinkinsidetheboxsquarecir3303]

I remember the von erichs the most when I first started watching wrestling.

[@Blackwolfninja89]

Don't forget Lacey Von Erich

[@stevelowe2647]

And Kerrys daughter wrestles

[@tijajaguar7785]

Tt

[@blokin5039]

Fake news buddy, you never met them.

[@aye_its_karate6169]

I've said before and I'll say it again. This is the best wrestling related channel on KZbin.

[@shittalkerskywalkertm9430]

agreed × 1000

[@grungyperry7530]

In no particular order: Wrestling Bios Wrestling With Wregret Cultaholic Wrestletalk

[@aye_its_karate6169]

@@grungyperry7530 I agree.

[@williamschutz4982]

OH HELL YEAH IT IS!!

[@seanshannon6314]

Yes this an osw review check it out

[@countrydrummergirl7581]

The Von Erich's were one of the best wrestling families. I had the honor seeing Kerry wrestle live when he was in the WWF

[@Large23collectibles]

The Von Erich Family story always makes me sad.

[@piman70]

I agree, i always find it fascinating that they seem to have been forgotten about by the wrestling community.

[@_fabio1978]

Same

[@lickkittysplit3871]

They haven't been forgotten from the wrestling community. That was then, this is now. They in the HOF, what else would you want? Perhaps being mentioned every Monday night during boring talking angles? Just be happy that we got to watch them on TV or Live in person.

[@Thor-Orion]

Lick Kitty Split i am inclined to agree with you. It would be nice to have a Von Erich Memorial somewhere as a six man tag tournament once a year. They were definitely revolutionary and ahead of their time.

[@steadyc9277]

Wow, Kerry looked JUST like his Mom...and little Chris with those GORGEOUS curls. :-(

[@euroamerican5189]

Shoulda been a Hollywood movie made about these guys a long time ago. They're legends and this story deserves more press from the mainstream.

[@zyonbariuan638]

Your wishes came true bro

[@noneofyourbusiness1114]

The iron claw is coming out

[@MrXabungle]

Zac Efron is gonna blow minds as Kevin Von Erich. He seriously bulked up for the role and Chavo Guerrero trained the cast.

[@sleekelegancesuave]

@@MrXabunglei actually want to see the movie, never heard of them for i was born in 1998 way after their demise but i am a fan of wrestling and it coming out in December 6 days after my bday is nice

[@brokenteethalbumreviews5388]

Coming in December

[@GibDozer1]

Wow, I never knew Kerry was missing a foot! The "Von Erich curse" is one of the saddest stories in an industry prolificicated by sad stories.

[@8_lives_left]

Did u see the new movie that just came out about them

[@GibDozer1]

@@8_lives_left No, what's it on?

[@8_lives_left]

@@GibDozer1 it’s in theatres rn it’s called the iron claw

[@RebeccaFuji]

Every time I read or watch something of the Von Erichs breaks my heart. It’s still good to know there are fans that love and respect the family. I agree it’s not a curse! It’s just a sadden tragedy, my heart will always go out to that family. I was born in the 80s, and heard about the family in my teen years. I’ll definitely watch old school wrestling videos of each of the young men that passed on. They’re always loved and missed!

[@SpeedChamp467]

Kevin's sons Marshall and Ross are wrestling in MLW. Look it up. The Von Erich legacy lives on!

[@deborahmyers1289]

Totally agree so very sad they were great young men its tragic 3 of them felt they had to take their own lives the pressures fame injuries and drugs were all too much for the talented young men very heartbreaking

[@josephallender9378]

Such a tragic story. Kerry Von Erich was one of my favorite wrestlers as a kid.

[@bradcarter2072]

Thanks for shining a light on the two less successful von Erich brothers . Their stories tug at a heart string and is a shocking reminding of what peer pressure and depression . The impact it can have on your mental health . For anyone suffering from issues of any kind you are worth and please talk to someone . Peace and love always

[@machomansings-official3466]

as a man from louisiana,born and raised.I remember seeing the von erichs when i was really little on tv.my cousins who were older than my in the 80's would pretend and watch the von erich's and got me interested in the sport more and more as well as watching it with my grandpa.we would watch alot of stuff awa,mid south,new japan all japan,jim crocett produstions nwa alottt.i was born in 1982 but i hold the von erichs in high reguards as i love world class.allways wanted to go see a show but by the time i was able to go it was goneut all the boys.alot forget the first tragity about fritz jr.they will allways be in my heart.and let they never be forgotten.great video as allways :)

[@frankh.9243]

Very tragic story of the Von Erichs ... God bless them. I'm happy Kevin is still alive and well.These are the greatest memories of wrestling that I have as a kid ... I was lucky to watch them live in my hometown against the Freebirds. Long live their legacy, long live the memory of the Von Erichs.

[@Kas58223]

All the Von Erichs were so talented when I think of them I try not to think of the tragedies but the in ring talent I’m so happy to know the Von Erichs legacy has continued to this day

[@GongaDuck]

The Von Erichs and WCCW cemented my love of wrestling in the 80's. it was sad when David died, but then when Kerry took his own life it just became tragic. Loved Kerry in the ring for his energy, but Kevin's high flying work and bare feet really sold me. Loved the Von Erichs, and really mourn the passing of so many family members. This is, by far, the best and most informative wrestling channel on KZbin.

[@stustewart3140]

Having grown up on WCCW and watching the family wrestle, being huge Kerry fan, you did this story justice. I agree, no curse, just a tragic tale of poor guidance and decision making. I was around 10 years old staying up late to watch these matches and made me a fan of the sport. Love the channel, great work!!

[@ianisaac2501]

Your comment is spot on! I used to watch WCCW too as a kid. They were awesome.

[@ferox965]

I kept tabs on it up here in Canada...it was sad watching the events unfold for the Von Erichs. So much potential.

[@TheFrogballz]

Yeah I used to get home from school and it would be on ESPN every day good old days back in the early 90s

[@B.K.-Rhodeazy]

Sad is an understatement!!! Can't imagine what the living brother thinks about day in and day out!!! Much respect

[@danielproctor5237]

Growing up in Houston Texas in the 70s and 80s I have very fond memories of these guys. Thanks for covering this Epic Family!!!

[@thepillcosbyspecial5782]

Thank you. For all seen and unseen work that goes into these.These are far by my favorite wrestling videos next to jim cornettes shoots on youtube.

[@olivierroy5540]

Watching his matches in the WWF, I find it amazing that Kerry was able to perform to that level with an amputated right foot.

[@philliplandry4139]

Besides the Brody and Benoit's incidents, this have to be the most tragic of them all in wrestling history. The Von Erichs was the last old school gem in wrestling before Hogan and the entertainment business took over.

[@one4allall4one91]

As a kid growing I always waiting to watch the Von Erichs and Freebirds during the 80's. Missed those legendary days.

[@VMpastore]

You are a machine, and I can’t get enough of these videos. Thank you.

[@TylerMorganShow]

Machine indeed!

[@bonelesshades8713]

i agree even my partner watches them with me and she doesnt do wrestling

[@ludlowbuckley5373]

I agree! This channel is excellent. I’ve been binge watching videos all week!

[@Artsensei86]

This was an amazing bio , all your videos are great but that part where you said the curse had become clickbait and you instead talked about how it was just a sad situation and honoring them the way you did is awesome.

[@brianmitchell4101]

I grew up in Oklahoma during the 80s and the Von Erichs were huge here. The stories or rumors I heard were crazy, thank you for making this and setting the story correct with me.

[@Backwoods_Squatch]

As a kid, I lived too far north to get WCCW. However, the first time I saw him on WWF, I knew he was special. In later years Ive gone back and watched many hours of wccw. Kevin was a prototype for modern cruiserweights. David was the best all around, but Kerry had the best poker hand of all. He had a good measure of in-ring talent, even if not as good as David. The good looks and the body of a Greek God. Ric Flair would say that Kerry could bench 500 lbs any day of the week. He wasn't awesome on the mic, but he could get by. If he had developed his on camera persona, Kerry could have been the top guy in any promotion.

[@manraisedbypuffins9080]

Ah good man :) superb wrestling family. Good memories of Kerry as the texas tornado

[@GryHen-pg9iy]

I'm back to watch a classic wrestling bios video..... brilliant

[@mrfozz5209]

There story is heart breaking and tragic and brought a tear to my eye in the Dark Side of the Ring episode about the family...Kevin said 'I used to be a brother of 5...now I'm not even a brother) horrible series of events seeing them have it all, pretty much everything they want only to have the family torn apart

[@ericarcieri3836]

So sad imagine if they lived the von ericks vs the harts would of been a amazing family feud the background story is already there fritz was trained by stu Brett and Kerry were became good freinds a match between Kevin and Owen would be classic this would sale out every where R.I.P fritz David Kerry Chris mike and Owen of the hart family

[@williamblackwell8589]

Your videos on wrestling are the absolute best on KZbin hands down, l always look forward to my notifications when you put new ones to watch, I’ve watched all of them and they are so in depth and l always learn something from them. Keep up the great work! Thank you so much for the videos!!

[@beefgravystudios]

I appreciate how respectful you told their story. You're right to point out there is no Von Erich curse & they get used as click bait. I remember the Tornado/Perfect match. Intercontinental title golden age.

[@Kat-pr7qm]

Kevin will always have brothers. As long as he’s alive they will be alive in his heart…it’s so nice to see that Kevin’s son’s will carry on the name and Their legacy will live on.

[@KEICRUMBIE]

My favorite faction, every time I hear the story, it gets more sad. Extremely sad. Love those guys to this day 💔

[@samuelparisi8763]

It's so sad to see such a good looking talented family fall apart like that. So many tragic events for one family to endure.

[@mrf19741]

Another Fantastic video! It's a real shame about Wrestling's First Family. Tragically, everything for them started to unravel with David's untimely passing. RIP David, Mike, Chris, Kerry, and Fritz Von Erich.

[@tythegolfer6279]

Saddest story in Wrestling. Thx for the share man. HBO doc on them is amazing

[@seanshannon6314]

Is this documentary on KZbin or Netflix

[@ArquiDenis]

They should make a movie about this because there's do much more of the story that we don't know. Is really sad when things like that happen to a family. I wonder how the father and mother felt when all that disaster happened. 💔😭

[@georgewilliams1470]

Doris divorced Fritz after Chris died blaming Fritz for all the family problems.

[@sniper5880]

@@georgewilliams1470 father pushed them and the 5-6 Chris and Mike Von Erich had no business in professional wrestling but father pushed them anyway. Father should of been satisfied and proud of his 3 gifted athletic sons in David,Kerry, and Kevin Von Erich

[@simplysteve68]

Plus Jack Adkisson (Fritz) being very distraught upon hearing the news of his first born, jack Jr., having been electrocuted at age 8, while Fritz was in Japan, probably pushed him over the edge and caused him to put unnecessary pressure on all the remaining boys.

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

I heard they're actually working on a von erich biopic right now!

[@TheFrogballz]

Agree 👍

[@billysikes1374]

I loved The Von Erich family, Ice Man King Parsons, The Missing Link, The Freebirds, Gino Hernandez, Brody, Chris Adams, All of WCCW guys

[@bernardmcdowell2454]

So So tragic. I did like The Texas Tornado..especially when he teamed with L O D and The Ultimate Warrior in Survivor Series.

[@tragiksituation]

Me and my friends always talk about that....Vince dropped the ball cuz they could have been a faction and Hawk was the best talker....it's crazy how Animal is the only one alive....

[@SoloDamon]

The best team in survivor series

[@WillStevens8]

@@tragiksituation Now none of them. Smh rip to all of them. They were a HUGE part of the Golden era of wrestling!

[@tragiksituation]

@@WillStevens8 sad bro 😓😓😓😓😓

[@dalesides1490]

My all time favorites. I loved watching old classic reruns of WCCW back int the day.

[@ArticulatedDoom]

Honestly I didn't get into wrestling til I was about ten. At that point I didn't know how to get a hold of older wrestling stuff and in a naive way I didn't know there even WAS wrestling before I discovered it. Once I found these guys in my teen years my mind was blown.

[@MrSmitty1074]

Good times!

[@josephdelledonne2098]

I've always thought the Von Erichs story was fascinating. I didn't get into wrestling until around late 87, so I didn't get to see David until much later. From what I saw I agree he was easily the best interview, he owned the mic. I think he was the best worker too, and he would definitely have been the breakout star had he not died so young. I do think Fritz pressured his sons also.

[@ferox965]

I agree to a point. I think any of the three were worthy of breaking out. They all had a good look, were over and were great in the ring. I don't think Fritz needed to pressure Kevin, Kerry or David...

[@robertrodriguez787]

I disagree . I feel David was the best talker and worker

[@tonynobile6224]

My favorite wrestling channel on the internet. Love the videos. Keep up the great work

[@tyronetaylorsr.9431]

I remember these guys back then i said this was such a tragic happening to a family. May they all rest in peace.

[@B33FY2011]

I absolutely love your wrestling content and bar none you're the best wrestling KZbin content creator going. There is nothing I can say about how good your content is that I haven't already said in previous videos.

[@zyxwvut4740]

Bless your heart, sir. Bless "Kevin V.on Erich". …and more than _anything_ bless those Adkinsons…

[@sludgefactory241]

I did not know that the Texas tornado had a frigging amputated right foot. My God how did he work in that condition for so long? That was a new one to me. It never fails that wrestling bios always manages to educate me! Thank you!

[@Duke_Togo_G13]

The most tragic depressing story in wrestling. The Last Von Erich is a great bio to watch.

[@cortneywalker459]

To start the weekend right all right thank you for all that you do for these wrestling bios .

[@marksanders2067]

Kevin's sons carry on the von erich story in wrestling with mlw hopefully a major promotion picks them up in future

[@stevelowe2647]

Kerrys daughter wrestles too. Lacey Von Erich

[@d.c.1059]

Well these brothers and this family meant so much to me growing up I cannot really express in words how grateful I am....

[@newwavepop]

when i was a kid Kerry was my very first favorite Wrestler ever, it was sad and disappointing decades later when i was first finding out all the stuff about his ;leg/foot injury and his substance abuse problems and him being unreliable. he had so much going for him and potential.

[@breezy9297]

Thank you! This is what I've been waiting for.

[@AJ_savage16]

Another great Bio the glad the Von Erich family is in the HOF they well deserved R.I.P to all the brothers

[@jmalb42]

As always, a tough subject handeled with class, care and love. Well done sir.

[@MrHabs66]

By far, the best wrestling channel on KZbin. Keep up the great work.

[@CarlosMartinez-bd8cj]

Those guys left great memories in the ring.

[@dankmdunn4725]

Im still watching ur videos and iv enjoyed everyone of them.. this is possibly becoming the best wrestling biography on youtube.. keep up the good work

[@jeyDsixx18]

Since we didn’t hear about Kerry losing his foot until after his death and in my case since I was a little kid, many years after that, I never noticed anything off with his wrestling when he was with the wwf. Now when I go back and watch any of his matches, it’s hard not to see the bulge of the prosthetic inside his boot and there were some instances where it looked like he was unsure of his footing…regardless he and his brothers were great talents and it’s sad the way the family had such tragic circumstances thrusted upon them, may they all rest in peace

[@issacrudio989]

This is not a curse but a blessing. The Von Erichs legacy lives on forever, and they touched the 💕 hearts of many families

[@vanyadolly]

Thanks for this, I was looking for more information about their careers rather than the tragedies. It's sad to think not just of what they went through, but what they could have achieved if circumstances had been different. Parental influence is often more subtle and more internalized than simply being told what to do. I think most of the boys wanted to wrestle, but part of that was wanting to live up to their father's expectations. And Fritz set those expectations so high that three of them committed suicide when they couldn't live up to them.

[@WillEFresh]

Thanks for the story. I was a big fan of the von erichs back in the day at the sportatorium!!

[@davidnewell7183]

Love the early 90s wrestling would love to see more videos on them guys like bushwakers,warlord,berserka barbarian,Jake the snake,superfly,ultimate warrior,nasty boys,macho man,undertaker,mouth of the South Jimmy heart,slick,Mr Fuji, that era of wrestlers my favourite during that time was undertaker for singles and legion of doom for tag...Love these videos keep up the good work

[@jarkoer]

The very first time I ever watched pro wrestling was WCCW, and I remember the David Von Erich memorial event. I was a total mark for the Modern Day Warrior. Thought he was the best thing next to Hulk Hogan. So sad those brothers couldn't beat their personal demons. Depression is a serious thing.

[@codyviz2436]

The Kennedys of the wrestling business only The Von Erichs story is more tragic

[@RebeccaFuji]

cody viz Yes I do agree! I’ll watch old school wrestling videos of each young Von Erich that passed on. Love and respect for the surviving family members. My heart always goes out to that family.

[@westdallasboy4454]

Saturday night at 10pm, it was channel 11, KTVT to watch WCCW and Mark Lawrence as the host!!!

[@LakeLyfe315]

Another amazing video! As a childhood wrestling fan you've renewed my interest in the sport as an adult. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@stephenbroster3206]

Yeah man asked for this a while ago. This is guna be good story telling mate. 👍

[@humungushumungus213]

This is a sad documentary, I really could do without it. I hope the remaining von Erichs have peace.

[@PUUN402]

Texas tornado with his tornado punch was one of my fav moves to watch as a kid. Not a great move or anything was just awesome to watch back then.

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

Thank you for your content and production values.

[@Villion77]

Thank you this was a very respectful telling of there story. Amazing

[@daverichards9141]

Heart breaking is a massive understatement. Hope the bio movie does the family justice.

[@karlepaul6632]

Alright bruddah. I expect greatness in this video, which I'm sure it will most definitely be. Plus I'm going to send Kev the link and see what he thinks. So no pressure or anything. 😉

[@tylers7048]

Do a video on yourself! Great content man! Your likes and dislikes , favorite wrestler's, managers , announcers, creative, venues, brands etc. ! Good stuff always coming from Wrestling Bios 👑 💯👍👍

[@TheBigChad]

I was there when Austin showed up and helped foley pin the rock. I thought that was the loudest pop in history. My dad was with me and he said you haven’t heard a pop until you’ve been in Texas and the Von Erich’s music hit.

[@theresalong6948]

I want to thank you for this story on the von erichs . I grew up in the Dallas area and I am a Cowboy fan and I loved the Von Erichs and when I had a choice to go to a Cowboy/Redskin game or Texas stadium to watch parade of champions, hands down I choose the Von Erichs. When Kerry beat Rick Flare , watching his brothers , mom and dad and other wrestlers all going to the ring to congratulate Kerry, is my favorite memory of the Von Erichs. I was removed by Security one time at the sportatorium for going under the ropes and trying to help Kevin Von Erich when he was being jumped by other wrestlers. This is how much the Von Erichs fans loved and cared about these brothers.

[@MrUltimatemaniac100]

Really like your knowledge on these subjects 👍

[@louielou6294]

I’m very surprised their isn’t a movie about this family! They were apart of history and fighters we all grew up knowing today.

[@newgenerationtechnology2930]

It’s one in the works now

[@Oscar-z3d]

Careful what you wish for

[@analogsmog]

this is the video that got me to subscribe. ive watch a few of your videos but this one did it. i totally remember the texas tornado and the von erichs. great video...considering the subject matter.

[@daveg7948]

It blew my mind hearing Taker tell the story of getting booked by Fritz because he looked just like David, just after David died. In a morose way, David put Undertaker on the path that lead to an insanely successful career and to become an icon of the industry. Which David would have been himself in time. If you haven't seen footage of David wrestling, you definitely should. He was one of the greats. No doubt about it. RIP DVE

[@assadtanes8354]

Wherever they go whatever happened...they are always my beloved...they live in my Soul...👌🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@benjaminevans8210]

Fantastic work as always. kudos brother!

[@smarshall5555]

Keep up the great work. Every video you've been doing lately is top notch stuff.

[@teetoys76]

I remember my babysitter in the 1980s was an insane Von Erich fan ( I was elementary school at that time ) she was fortunate enough to see them wrestle.

[@rosiedebevc1952]

Really enjoyed the documentary.

[@Wisconsin_Local_139_Crane_Guy]

Seen them live almost every month growing up. They were gods!!

[@nzgersfan]

This is just tragic such a sad story about the Demise of one of the most loved families in wrestling

[@riotMikeV1]

Wow, just wow. Another amazing video. You said it all bro

[@michaelaburns734]

This is a underappreciated stable. WCCW Classics. Plus Von Erichs are still around (MLW Major League Wrestling.)

[@t8r507]

I can remember watching the Von Eric's on AWA back in the early 80's also watching re-runs of older shows on ESPN they would also show airings from other sections like WCCW, UCF, NWA, few others,I know all the Von Eric's had the "The Claw" move, but seems I can remember Kevin von Eric doing alot of off the top rope moves and was mostly barefoot like Jimmy Snuka, Am I remembering that right, cause that's when I was just started liking and watching wrestling I was like 9 or 10

[@yankees29]

Yes he was a flyer

[@chrischar1969]

Only AWA connection is at the late 80s

[@MrAdal206]

Such an amazing family. Wish they’d make a movie on them

[@calebwaters8400]

Well they are now!

[@jamiemccormack4647]

Fantastic video dude!! Great work.

[@terereynolds698]

Kevin was always my favorite of the brothers, he still is. It's so heartbreaking to lose a brother, especially when you're the oldest, I lost a brother in 2017 and another brother in 2018. Fritz was extremely hard on his boys, and I think that led to a couple of them committing suicide, fear of not living up to their fathers' standards. Seeing these old pictures sure brings back a lot of memories, I started watching wrestling back in 1966, when I was a little 8-year-old girl. Kerry just always looked so sad, even when he was smiling, he looked sad.

[@MikeDest]

6:18 - Very telling how the Freebirds look more sober than the Von Erichs in these photos.

[@HavokMania]

Freebirds are mentioned in SOOO many of these videos have you done a video on them before? If not I think it's a must

[@mooknick242]

as a kid growing up in North Central Texas the Von Erichs were my Saturday night entertainment...and also my first experience with heartbreak.

[@oskorei123]

We need a bio on The Freebirds!

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

This is gonna be good, I'm excited!!! Arn Anderson next please!!!

[@pickettpride6980]

Chandler Keaton I agree ☝️

[@85Zeroangel]

Yes, please👍

[@r.josephgrundy1706]

It was purely insane, how popular the VonErichs were! Hey, they made a fan out of me and even at 9 years old, I despised "Faces". Kevin Von Erich and a few others, were the exception!

[@cdgee6399]

Wow! Kevin must be a strong person. I feel for him.