Kerry Gene Adkisson better known by his ring name Kerry Von Erich was an American professional wrestler. He was part of the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers.
He is best known for his time with his father’s promotion World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he spent eleven years of his career, and his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), under the ring name The Texas Tornado.
Adkisson held forty championships in various promotions during his career. Among other accolades, he was a one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and four-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion, making him an overall five-time world champion and one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.
Kerry’s final match took place on February 12, 1993. It was a tag team match in the GWF at the Sportatorium on which Kerry and Chris Adams lost via disqualification to Johnny Mantell and Black Bart.
Kerry Von Erich Siblings: Who Are Kerry Von Erich’s Siblings?
Jack Adkisson Jr.
Fritz Von Erich’s first son was born Jack Barton Adkisson, Jr. on September 21, 1952. He was accidentally shocked unconscious by an exposed wire and drowned in a puddle at the age of six in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 7, 1959.
Kevin Von Erich
Born Kevin Ross Adkisson on May 15, 1957, in Belleville, Illinois, “The Golden Warrior” Kevin Von Erich is the second oldest and last surviving son of Fritz Von Erich.
The majority of Kevin’s career was spent working in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he had feuds against wrestlers such as Chris Adams, The Fabulous Freebirds, and Ric Flair.
It was there that Kevin became known for utilizing trademark manoeuvres like the body scissors and the iron claw, as well as for wrestling barefoot.
David Von Erich
“The Yellow Rose of Texas” David Von Erich was the third son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born David Alan Adkisson on July 22, 1958, in Dallas, Texas.
David worked in the World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. It was there that he faced off with Harley Race and later Ric Flair several times for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (never winning), as well as teamed with brothers Kevin and Kerry against The Fabulous Freebirds.
David was married on June 26, 1978, to Candy L. McLeod. Together, they had a daughter Natosha Zoeanna (born October 19, 1978) The baby died in infancy and David’s marriage soon ended in divorce on July 12, 1979. He married again on June 8, 1982, to Patricia A. Matter. They remained together until David’s death.
Kerry Von Erich
Kerry Von Erich was the fourth son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born Kerry Gene Adkisson on February 3, 1960, in Niagara Falls, New York. Known as “The Modern Day Warrior” and “The Texas Tornado”, Kerry was by far the best-known of the Von Erich Family.
Much like his brothers, Kerry spent the majority of his career wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling. Amongst the many major feuds he had were those against Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Chris Adams and The Fabulous Freebirds.
Kerry shot a .44 calibre bullet through his heart on February 18, 1993, on his father’s ranch in Denton County, Texas.
Mike Von Erich
Mike Von Erich was the fifth son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born Michael Brett Adkisson on March 2, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. Known as the “Inspirational Warrior”.
Mike replaced David in the feud the Von Erichs had with The Fabulous Freebirds following David’s death. According to the DVD Heroes of World Class, Mike wanted to work for World Class as a cameraman and had no interest in being in the ring full-time.
Mike was married on February 14, 1985, to Shani Danette Garza Shortly after his wedding, he injured his shoulder on a tour of Israel and had surgery, leading to toxic shock syndrome. He tried returning to wrestling after a partial recovery but retired for lack of strength. He took a fatal dose of tranquillizers on April 12, 1987, in Denton County, Texas.
Chris Von Erich
Born Chris Barton Adkisson on September 30, 1969, in Dallas, Texas, Chris Von Erich was the youngest of the Von Erich family. Due to his short stature (5’4″), asthma, and extremely brittle bones that were prone to breaking, Chris was never able to reach the success his father and brothers reached.
After several years of not being able to succeed in the wrestling business, Chris became depressed and frustrated. He was also heartbroken over the loss of his brother, Mike. In 1991, aged 21, he shot himself in the head.