The Von Erich Tragedy: Unraveling the Chronological Order of Death

The Von Erichs' legacy is marked by their success in the wrestling world, as well as the series of tragedies that plagued their family due to a supposed curse. This curse led to numerous heartbreaking deaths throughout their careers and overshadowed their achievements in the ring. The Iron Claw tells the story of the Von Erich brothers' ascent in the wrestling industry under the guidance of their father, Fritz Von Erich, while also exploring the alleged curse that haunted their family outside of the ring.

The Von Erich family endured a series of devastating tragedies, leaving only one brother as the sole survivor. The Iron Claw sheds light on the harsh reality of the wrestling world, revealing the mental and physical health struggles faced by the family. The movie omits one brother's story and condenses the timeline, but the chronological order of their deaths is still distressing for some.

Jack Adkisson Jr. (1959)

The Iron Claw briefly introduced and told the story of Jack Adkisson Jr. He was Fritz and his wife’s first-born son and older brother to Kevin Von Erich.

It is said that he was the one who first experienced the effects of the Von Erich curse and was the first to die. In 1959, at the age of seven, he died in an accident. He was electrocuted after stepping on a trailer tongue and then drowned in a puddle of rainwater, falling face-first. In the movie, it is revealed that Adkisson is the real last name of the Von Erichs, and Fritz took on his grandmother's last name when he became a professional wrestler. However, even then the name was already associated with several tragedies.

David Von Erich (1984)

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Dubbed the "Yellow Rose of Texas," David Von Erich followed in his older brother Kevin's footsteps by entering the wrestling ring in the 1980s. Raised in a family deeply rooted in wrestling, David also saw his future in the sport. His father favored Kevin and allowed him to pursue an NWA title and travel to Japan.

Tragically, David was discovered deceased in his Tokyo hotel room in 1984 at the age of 25. His untimely death has since sparked numerous conspiracy theories. Allegedly, David had been suffering from pain prior to his trip to Tokyo, adding to the mystery surrounding his passing.

During his wedding in The Iron Claw, Kevin discovers his older brother vomiting blood in the bathroom. Dismissing Kevin's concern, David attributes it to a possible stomach bug. In reality, David was found dead in his room by a group of wrestlers on the morning of their first show. His death was officially attributed by the US Embassy to acute enteritis, an inflammation of the small intestine that ultimately resulted in a rupture.

Mike Von Erich (1987)

However, there are conspiracy theories alleging that David actually died from a drug overdose. In his book, Ric Flair suggested that another wrestler got rid of the drugs before the police arrived, but this claim has not been verified.

The tragic Von Erich curse continued with the untimely passing of the second-youngest son, Mike Von Erich. Unlike his older brothers, Mike didn't share his father's passion for wrestling and instead pursued his interests in music and working behind the camera during matches.

After David's death, Mike felt compelled to begin training and join Kevin and Kerry in the ring. The Iron Claw expedited his demise, as Mike Von Erich passed away in 1987 from an overdose. However, his tragic story goes far beyond what meets the eye.

While on a tour in Israel, Mike sustained a shoulder injury that required standard surgery. Days later, he developed a severe fever and fell victim to toxic shock syndrome, which greatly impacted his mental and physical well-being. Despite his efforts to return to the ring for his father's legacy, Mike's health prevented him from doing so, leading to his retirement.

Chris Von Erich (1991)

Mike's struggle with drug abuse, the emotional weight of leaving behind his wrestling career, and the pressure of not living up to his brothers' expectations took a heavy toll on him. Tragically, at the age of 23, he died by suicide after ingesting a lethal dose of tranquilizers.

The director of The Iron Claw, Sean Durkin, made the decision to exclude Chris Von Erich's story in order to shorten the film's duration. Instead, he incorporated elements of Chris's story into the character of Mike. Chris, the younger brother who looked up to Mike and aspired to be a wrestler, became an influence on the development of the character.

Kerry Von Erich (1993)

In contrast to his siblings, he was noticeably shorter and had a few health issues. Throughout his time in the ring, he failed to achieve the same level of success as his brothers. Devastated by the loss of Mike and his career, Chris fell into depression and took his own life in 1991. He was only 21 years old when he tragically shot himself.

Kerry was the final Von Erich to pass away. He was the fourth eldest and had originally been on track to compete in the Olympics and bring home the gold for the US in Russia. However, due to the political unrest at the time, his Olympic aspirations were dashed. He returned to the US where his father encouraged him to join Kevin and Kerry in the wrestling ring. The trio soon became a sensation.

After David passed away, Fritz chose Kerry for the title push over Kevin and became the NWA champion. However, in 1986, Kerry was in a motorcycle accident resulting in the amputation of his right foot. Despite this, he continued to wrestle with a prosthetic, keeping it a secret, while also struggling with drug and painkiller abuse.

Before turning 33, Kerry died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the heart with a .44 caliber pistol on February 18, 1993, while in his father’s arms. The narrative is that he chose to end his life after being indicted for his second drug charge. Bret Hart noted in his book that throughout the early 90s, Kerry expressed his desire to join his brothers, but was waiting for a sign.

Fritz Von Erich (1997)

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The late Fritz Von Erich is renowned as a legendary wrestler who brought fame to the Von Erich name. However, he also faced criticism for his unwavering push for success with his sons. He passed away from brain and lung cancer at his home in 1997, marking the end of the era of male Von Erich deaths. Check out more TV & Movies content and Dexerto’s review of The Iron Claw here.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate wrestling fan, I find the story of the Von Erich family to be both tragic and fascinating. The Iron Claw provides a glimpse into the dark side of the wrestling world, revealing the mental and physical health struggles faced by the family. The chronological order of their deaths is distressing, and it's heartbreaking to think about the potential that was lost.

The Von Erichs were a talented family of wrestlers, and their untimely deaths left a lasting impact on the wrestling world. David Von Erich, known as the "Yellow Rose of Texas," was a rising star in the industry when he tragically passed away at the age of 25. His death sparked numerous conspiracy theories, and the true cause of his demise remains a mystery. Mike Von Erich, the second-youngest son, also met a tragic end, passing away from an overdose in 1987. His story is particularly poignant, as he initially lacked passion for wrestling but felt compelled to join his brothers in the ring after David's death.