Von Erich family

The Von Erich family is an American professional wrestling family. Originally from Texas, their actual surname is Adkisson, but every member who has been in the wrestling business has used the ring name "Von Erich," after the family patriarch, Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson). Jack took on the name as part of his wrestling gimmick (i.e. in-ring persona) as he originally portrayed a Nazi heel, hence his use of a German name.

By the time Fritz died of cancer in his

The Von Erichs' involvement in wrestling has continued to a third generation: Kevin's sons Marshall and Ross began wrestling in 2012, and Kerry's daughter Lacey wrestled from 2007 until her retirement in 2010.

Members

Fritz Von Erich

Fritz Von Erich was born Jack Barton Adkisson on August 16, 1929, in Jewett, Texas.

Fritz married Doris on June 23, 1950. Together, they had six sons before divorcing on July 21, 1992.[4] On September 10, 1997, Fritz died of lung cancer that had spread to his brain.^[5][6]

Second generation

Jack Adkisson Jr.

Fritz Von Erich's first son was born Jack Barton Adkisson Jr. on September 21, 1952. He died at the age of six in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 7, 1959, after he stepped on a trailer tongue, was electrically shocked, and then fell into a melting snow puddle face first and drowned.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}

Kevin Von Erich

Born Kevin Ross Adkisson on May 15, 1957, in Belleville, Illinois, "The Golden Warrior" Kevin Von Erich is the second oldest and last surviving son of Fritz Von Erich.

The majority of Kevin's career was spent working in

Kevin has been married since August 1, 1980, to Pamela J. May.[14] Together they have four children, including two daughters: Kristen Rain (born February 3, 1981)^[15] and Jillian Lindsey (born February 10, 1985)^[16] as well as two sons: David Michael "Ross" (born June 1, 1988)^[17] and Kevin Marshall (born November 10, 1992).^[18] Kevin has thirteen grandchildren.

In May 2006, Kevin sold the WCCW footage to

"The Yellow Rose of Texas" David Von Erich was the third son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born David Alan Adkisson on July 22, 1958, in

David was married on June 26, 1978, to Candy L. McLeod.[20] Together, they had a daughter Natosha Zoeanna (born October 19, 1978).^[21] The baby died in infancy and David's marriage soon ended in divorce on July 12, 1979.^[22] He married again on June 8, 1982, to Patricia A. Matter.^[22] They remained together until David's death.

David died on February 10, 1984, in Tokyo, Japan. The US Embassy's death report says he died of acute enteritis.^[23] Ric Flair wrote in his autobiography, To Be the Man, that "everyone in wrestling believes" that it was a drug overdose that really killed him and that Bruiser Brody (a fellow wrestler who found David) disposed of the narcotics by flushing them down a toilet before the police arrived. Mick Foley also claims that David died from an apparent drug overdose.^[3] A tribute show was held a couple of months later in his honor, during which his younger brother, Kerry Von Erich, won the NWA World Title from Ric Flair.^[3]

Kerry Von Erich

Kerry Von Erich was the fourth son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born Kerry Gene Adkisson on February 3, 1960, in Niagara Falls, New York. Known as "The Modern Day Warrior" and "The Texas Tornado", Kerry was by far the best-known of the Von Erich Family.

Much like his brothers, Kerry spent the majority of his career wrestling in

Kerry was married on June 18, 1983, to Catherine "Cathy" Murray.[24] Together they had two daughters: Hollie Brooke (born September 19, 1984)^[25] and Lacey Dawn (born July 17, 1986).^[26] Lacey wrestled for several years, most notably with TNA as Lacey Von Erich, before leaving the wrestling business in 2010. Kerry and Catherine later separated, before divorcing on April 22, 1992.^[27]

On June 4, 1986, Kerry was involved in a

Mike Von Erich was the fifth son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born Michael Brett Adkisson on March 2, 1964, in

Mike tried returning to wrestling after partial recovery. He continued to compete despite lack of mental coordination and strength. After an arrest for DUI and marijuana possession, Mike took a fatal dose of tranquilizers and alcohol around April 12, 1987, in Denton County, Texas. He was missing for 4-5 days, with the date of death being set the Sunday after bailing out of jail.^[34][35]

Chris Von Erich

Born Chris Barton Adkisson on September 30, 1969, in

After several years of not being able to succeed in the wrestling business, Chris became depressed and frustrated. He was also heartbroken over the loss of his brother, Mike, and experienced drug addiction. On September 12, 1991, aged 21, he shot himself in the head.[36] His brother Kevin and mother attempted to dissuade him from his suicidal tendencies that same day. An apparent suicide note had been found at the scene and toxicology reports also revealed cocaine and valium were in Chris' system at the time of his death.^[37]

Third generation

Ross Von Erich

David Michael Ross Adkisson (born June 1, 1988), better known as Ross Von Erich, is the son of Kevin Von Erich. He is named after David and Mike. He was trained by Kevin, Harley Race and the

Kevin Marshall Adkisson (born November 10, 1992), better known as Marshall Von Erich,

Lacey Dawn Adkisson (born July 17, 1986), better known as Lacey Von Erich is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich. She was previously with World Wrestling Entertainment and

Fictional relatives

Waldo Von Erich

Waldo Von Erich was the stage name of Canadian professional wrestler Walter Sieber. Though billed as the brother of Fritz Von Erich when they teamed, he is not related to the Adkisson family. Waldo died in July 2009.

Lance Von Erich

Lance Von Erich was the stage name of Dallas-born professional wrestler William Kevin "Ricky" Vaughn. He was billed for a brief period of time in the 1980s as the son of Waldo Von Erich, but there was no biological relation between the two. Lance also has no biological relation to the Adkisson family.

Rip Von Erich

On two episodes of MLW Fusion, Tom Lawlor, who was involved in a feud with the Von Erichs after turning his back on them, mercilessly beat and then aligned himself with a wrestler he called "Rip Von Erich", who was played by a wrestler who had previously gone under the name Kit Osbourne in other promotions.

Mark Von Erich

Rick LeRibeus, a Texas-based wrestler, has been billed as "Mark Von Erich" since the 1990s. This eventually became a storyline in the Global Wrestling Federation with Skandor Akbar accusing LeRibeus of being an illegitimate son of Fritz Von Erich.

WWE Hall of Fame

On March 16, 2009, it was announced that the Von Erich family would be inducted (as a group) into the WWE Hall of Fame. They were inducted by longtime Von Erich rival Michael "P.S." Hayes, with Kevin Von Erich accepting the induction and celebrating victory.^[43]

Family tree

† = deceased

Championships and accomplishments

As a family

• WWE
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009) - Fritz, Kerry, Kevin, Mike, David, and Chris

Individual

• Fritz Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Kevin Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• David Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Kerry Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Mike Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Chris Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Lacey Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments
• Marshall and Ross Von Erich
  • Championships and accomplishments

In popular culture

The

• List of premature professional wrestling deaths

References