The Untold Tragedy: Unraveling the Mystery of David Von Erich's Demise
The Iron Claw: Unveiling the Enigma Behind David Von Erich's Tragic Demise in Tokyo
A24 and Lionsgate’s The Iron Claw delves deeply into the tragedies that plagued the Von Erich family, their alleged curse, and the circumstances surrounding David Von Erich's untimely demise.
Renowned as one of the most notorious wrestling families, the Von Erichs rose to prominence under the guidance of their father, Fritz Von Erich. According to the film, the Von Erich brothers were frequently warned about a curse haunting their family. Despite their wrestling success, a string of misfortunes seemed to confirm the curse, exacerbated by their father's relentless pursuit of a title belt.
The Von Erichs are famous in the wrestling world for their success in the ring and the unfortunate loss of several of Fritz's children. David Von Erich, the third son and tallest of the family, was known for his mic skills and began his wrestling journey in 1977. Despite his father's favoritism towards his brother Kevin, David was determined to make a name for himself in the sport. However, tragedy struck the family as David was on the path to a title shot. The Iron Claw only briefly touches on the circumstances of David Von Erich's passing, but here's the full story. Warning: Spoilers ahead!
David Von Erich died in Tokyo
While there have been multiple stories of David’s death, he ultimately died of a heart attack that was caused by enteritis and a ruptured small intestine.
The circumstances surrounding David's death have often been clouded by conspiracy theories suggesting that he died from an overdose. In Ric Flair's autobiography, he alleged that evidence of drug use was removed from the scene by another wrestler. The Iron Claw recounts the moment at Kevin's wedding when he discovered David vomiting blood in the bathroom. Despite his alarming condition, David insisted that it was just a stomach bug and downplayed the severity of the situation.
Days later, Kevin returns home and discovers his father sitting at the table. There is devastating news; David has been found dead in his hotel room in Tokyo due to a ruptured intestine. The circumstances mirror what really happened. Back in February 1984, David was on a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling, looking to win over Japanese fans and prepare for a shot at a title belt. However, despite feeling unwell for some time, he chose not to seek medical help to avoid jeopardizing his career prospects in Japan.
David was discovered deceased in his hotel room on February 10, 1984. According to WrestlingInc, Bill Irwin was the last person to have seen him alive. Irwin recounted seeing David sitting on his bed in his hotel room before he left for the evening. The next day, David was nowhere to be found and did not board the bus for their first show. Irwin and a few other wrestlers went to search for David and found him in his hotel room.
Irwin noticed that David was lying exactly where he had left him - seated on the bed and looking as blue as his own clothing. Despite the efforts of paramedics, it was clear to everyone that David was no longer alive.
Irwin proposed a different explanation, suggesting that David was prone to purging - eating and then vomiting. He believed that food had come back up and caused David to choke. However, official reports attributed David's death to enteritis and a ruptured small intestine.
Read more TV & Movies content here, and Dexerto’s review of The Iron Claw here.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of the Von Erich family, I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in their lives. The untimely demise of David Von Erich, in particular, has always been a source of immense grief and speculation. The Iron Claw sheds light on the circumstances surrounding his death, revealing the devastating impact of a ruptured intestine and enteritis. It is heartbreaking to learn that David's determination to succeed in wrestling may have contributed to his reluctance to seek medical attention, ultimately leading to his untimely end.
The alleged curse that seemed to haunt the Von Erich family adds an eerie element to their story. The relentless pursuit of a title belt, coupled with the tragic losses they endured, paints a picture of a family grappling with both external and internal struggles. David's death, in particular, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of fate. As a fan, I can't help but feel a profound sense of loss and empathy for the Von Erich family, whose legacy remains forever intertwined with both triumph and tragedy.
