Kerry Von Erich

ABOUT

Kerry Von Erich Adkisson, famously known in the wrestling world as Kerry Von Erich, was born on February 3, 1960, and passed away unexpectedly at the age of 33 on February 18, 1993. He was an American professional wrestler from a renowned wrestling dynasty, the Von Erich family. Kerry is perhaps best known for his time in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and his stint in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he became recognized as the Texas Tornado.

Kerry's wrestling career was marked by his athleticism, charisma, and his tragic life story that fascinated and saddened fans worldwide. His legacy in the wrestling world persists, as he remains celebrated as one of the most prominent figures in professional wrestling during the 1980s.

BEFORE FAME

Born into the wrestling-royalty family, Kerry was one of six sons of legendary wrestler Fritz Von Erich. The Von Erich name carried immense weight in the wrestling circuit, especially in Texas. Kerry and his brothers were groomed from a young age to follow in their father's footsteps, contributing to the family's wrestling dynasty.

Before carving a niche in professional wrestling, Kerry showed exceptional promise as an athlete in other sports. He was a standout discus thrower during his high school years, setting a Texas state record and remaining a two-time state champion in the sport. Kerry briefly attended the University of Houston on a track and field scholarship before fully committing to his professional wrestling career.

TRIVIA

• Kerry held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once, a title that he won from Ric Flair on May 6, 1984, during a memorable match in honor of his late brother David Von Erich.
• Despite a motorcycle accident in 1986 that resulted in the amputation of his right foot, Kerry continued to wrestle with a prosthesis, successfully hiding his condition from most of his fans and colleagues.
• He was known for his signature finishing move, the "Discus Punch," a nod to his days as a discus thrower.
• Kerry won the Intercontinental Championship in WWF by defeating Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig) at SummerSlam 1990, further cementing his status as a top-tier talent in the industry.

FAMILY LIFE

Kerry Von Erich was part of the illustrious Von Erich family, which includes his father Fritz and his brothers Kevin, David, Mike, Chris, and Jack Adkisson. The family's legacy is both celebrated for their wrestling accomplishments and marred by tragic losses.

Kerry married Cathy Murray in 1983, and the couple had two daughters, Hollie and Lacey. Despite his professional triumphs, Kerry faced numerous personal struggles, including the deaths of his brothers and his battle with substance abuse. These factors weighed heavily on him, culminating in his untimely suicide in 1993.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Throughout his career, Kerry Von Erich had notable feuds and alliances with some of the biggest names in wrestling. He frequently squared off against Ric Flair, and their matches are still remembered as some of the best in wrestling history. In the WWF, Kerry took on icons such as Mr. Perfect, Ted DiBiase, and Shawn Michaels.

Kerry's contributions to the wrestling world were significant, and his life story remains a poignant part of wrestling lore. Despite his struggles and tragic end, his athletic prowess and immense popularity during his active years have ensured that the name Kerry Von Erich is remembered with reverence in the annals of professional wrestling.