Who are the Von Erichs?
To begin with, there are no “real” Von Erichs. The Adkisson family has used the last name “Von Erich” for their wrestling personas for years. The patriarch of the Adkisson/Von Erich clan is Jack Adkisson. He took the ring name Fritz Von Erich and wrestled in the 50’s and 60’s with a Nazi German gimmick, complete with goose step and iron claw. Waldo Von Erich was Bill Sheppard, no relation to the Adkissons. He formed a successful tag team in the 60’s with Fritz. Jack had six sons, five of whom were involved with wrestling. Jack’s first son, Jackie, died of electrocution at age 6 in 1959. Kevin Von Erich began wrestling in the mid-70s. He rarely competed outside of his home state. His few trips out of Texas saw him compete in Japan, and in St. Louis. Kevin is currently wrestling for Jim Crockett’s NWA promotion in Dallas. Kevin is the only of Fritz’s sons still alive. David Von Erich (nicknamed “the Yellow Rose of Texas”) began wrestling on June 28, 1977. David was the most successful of
