The Iron Claw Unveiled: Unmasking the Enigma of Chris Von Erich

The Iron Claw delves into the bond between Kevin, David, and Kerry and the Von Erich curse, but it also overlooks the story of Chris Von Erich. The Von Erichs are a prominent wrestling family and were honored with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The film provides non-wrestling fans with insight into the heartache and supposed family curse that the Von Erich family experienced.

The devoted Von Erich brothers strive to achieve their father's dream of fame while maintaining their strong bond. Throughout their wrestling careers, they endured a series of tragic deaths. The film primarily centers on Kevin, David, Kerry, and Mike as they navigate the wrestling world, with Chris Von Erich also playing a role in the family's journey and the impact of the curse.

Chris Von Erich also became a wrestler

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Chris, the youngest of the six Von Erich brothers, defied his health issues to step into the wrestling ring alongside his siblings. Tragically, he took his own life at the age of 21. Born on September 30, 1969, Chris felt a strong pull towards the ring due to his upbringing in a wrestling family and being surrounded by his brothers. However, he faced numerous health challenges that ultimately hindered his wrestling career, being the smallest of his brothers.

Chris struggled with asthma and suffered from brittle bones due to prednisone, leading to numerous injuries in the ring and a sense of frustration. Despite his health challenges, he took on odd jobs for the World Class Championship Wrestling and also pursued wrestling as an amateur. It wasn't until 1990 that he officially became a professional wrestler, often teaming up with his brother Kerry.

Although Chris's health was not well-suited for the demands of wrestling, it wasn't what ultimately led to his death. Surprisingly, his passing is unknown to non-wrestling fans, as his story is not included in The Iron Claw. He tragically died before his brother Kerry and after Mike, remaining a lesser-known figure in the world of wrestling.

Following the death of his older brother Mike, Chris turned to drug abuse and fell into a deep depression. The added burden of not being able to pursue his wrestling career took a heavy toll on him. He tragically took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot on September 12, 1991, at the family farm, a similar fate to Kerry who also died from a gunshot on the property.

According to the book Tributes: Remembering Some of the World’s Greatest Wrestlers, Kevin was the last person to have a conversation with Chris. After requesting the return of a radio device, Kevin found Chris sitting on top of a hill. He joined him and listened as his brother shared his suicidal thoughts.

Kevin, despite urging him not to, left Chris alone, and shortly after, Chris shot himself in the head. He passed away 20 minutes later, just 18 days before his 22nd birthday. A toxicology report showed the presence of cocaine and Valium in his system. For more TV & Movies content, click here, and check out Dexerto’s review of The Iron Claw.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Von Erich family and their contributions to the world of wrestling, I found the article "The Iron Claw Unveiled: Unmasking the Enigma of Chris Von Erich" to be both informative and emotionally poignant. The film sheds light on the tragic events that befell the Von Erich brothers, particularly the untimely death of Chris Von Erich.

Chris's story is particularly heartbreaking, as he battled numerous health challenges throughout his life, including asthma and brittle bones. Despite these obstacles, he pursued his passion for wrestling, following in the footsteps of his brothers. However, the physical demands of the sport proved too much for his fragile body, and he was forced to take on odd jobs within the wrestling industry. The added burden of not being able to fully participate in the sport he loved, coupled with the loss of his brother Mike, led Chris into a deep depression and ultimately to his tragic demise.