Kerry Von Erich
| Kerry Adkisson | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | The Modern Day Warrior Texas Tornado Kerry Von Erich Cosmic Cowboy#2 |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 260 lb (115 kg) |
| Born | February 3 1960 Niagara Falls, New York |
| Died | February 18 1993 (aged 33)[1] Denton, Texas[1] |
| Trained by | Fritz Von Erich |
| Debut | 1979 |
Kerry Gene Adkisson (February 3 1960 – February 18, 1993) was an American professional wrestler under the ring names Kerry Von Erich, The Modern Day Warrior, and The Texas Tornado and was part of the Von Erich family of professional wrestlers.
Career
Kerry was the son of legendary wrestler Fritz Von Erich. His brothers, David, Kevin, Mike, and Chris were also wrestlers.[2]
World Class Championship Wrestling (1984-1990)
Most of Kerry's fame was made in Texas' World Class Championship Wrestling, where he was nicknamed "The Modern Day Warrior" (his entrance music were Rush's "Tom Sawyer" and Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold"). Kerry's biggest career highlight was on May 6, 1984 when he beat "Nature Boy" Ric Flair in front of a capacity crowd at Texas Stadium to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[2]
Kerry's victory was a tribute to his brother David, who had died three months earlier and for whom the event, the David Von Erich Memorial Parade Of Champions, was named. He lost the belt 18 days later in Yokosuka, Japan, back to Flair in a bout that was marred by controversy: Von Erich's feet were on the bottom rope following a reversed rollup, but the referee ignored this and made the count. Kerry had the third-shortest NWA World title reign in history.
On June 4, 1986, Kerry was in a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life and left him with a dislocated hip and a badly injured right leg. Doctors eventually had to amputate his right foot. (According to brother Kevin, Kerry injured the foot following surgery by attempting to walk on it prematurely, crushing the bones beyond repair and thus forcing the doctors to amputate it.) He was able to continue wrestling after the accident with a fused ankle.
Kerry was able to keep his amputation secret for a while. However, during a match on an AWA card in Las Vegas against Colonel DeBeers, Kerry's secret was exposed. During the bout, DeBeers ended up on the outside, but he grabbed Kerry's foot and tried to pull him out of the ring. However, he ended up pulling off Kerry's boot with the prosthetic foot attached.
He, along with his brothers, had a famous feud with another tag team, the Fabulous
Freebirds (Michael P.S. Hayes, Terry
"Bam-Bam" Gordy, and Buddy "Jack" Roberts). Kerry was also engaged in lengthy feuds with
"Gentleman" Chris Adams between late 1984 and early 1986, Brian Adias in 1986 and 1987, and Iceman Parsons in 1988. Kerry also
had a long-standing feud with Gino Hernandez on and off during the 1980s.
During his last days in WCCW, Kerry Von Erich would be embroiled in a feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler (AWA World Heavyweight Champion) over who would be the undisputed heavyweight champion. Kerry was then the WCWA (World Class Wrestling Association (World Class' final used name before the USWA days)) heavyweight champion. They would meet at an interpromotional event called SuperClash 3 to settle the dispute. Prior to this match, Kerry accidentally cut his arm causing bleeding before the match even started. During the match, Kerry's head would get busted open. He then during the end of the match had Jerry Lawler in a clawhold on the mat with Lawler's shoulders down. However, the referee saw the blood on Kerry's head, thought it was excessive and stopped the match. The crowd thought Kerry won by submission but instead 'due to excessive bleeding' the referee stopped the match and awarded the decision and the WCWA championship to Jerry Lawler. This would mark the end of Kerry's World Class run.
World Wrestling Federation (1990-1992)
Near the end of his career he ended up in the World Wrestling Federation as the "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich, a babyface. He debuted in the WWF on the July 28, 1990, edition of Saturday Night's Main Event and defeated Buddy Rose.
At SummerSlam 1990, he defeated Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig) to win the Intercontinental Championship. He was a substitute for Brutus Beefcake. Von Erich defended his title against Haku successfully. His next title defense was against the former champion Mr. Perfect on the November 19 edition of Superstars, where he lost to Perfect.
Von Erich participated in the 1990 Survivor Series, where he teamed with the WWF Champion Ultimate Warrior and the Legion of Doom. He was eliminated by long-time rival Mr. Perfect but his team won the match. He also participated in the 1991 Royal Rumble match where he entered fifth and was eliminated by The Undertaker after lasting nearly half an hour. At WrestleMania VII, he defeated Dino Bravo following a discus punch. At SummerSlam later that year, he teamed with the British Bulldog and Ricky Steamboat to defeat the team of The Warlord and Power and Glory.
At the 1991 Survivor Series, he teamed with Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Duggan and Tito Santana against Colonel Mustafa, The Berzerker, Skinner and Hercules. He did not eliminate anyone, but his entire team survived.
In 1992, Von Erich participated in the Royal Rumble, where he was eliminated by Ric Flair, the man Von Erich beat eight years before for the NWA World heavyweight title.
Global Wrestling Federation (1992)
Kerry left the WWF in 1992 and returned to Dallas to compete in the Global Wrestling Federation, where he began teaming with former arch-rival Chris Adams. Kerry's final match took place on January 23, 1993 at an ECW/WWA show in Philadelphia, where he fought a double disqualification with Salvatore Bellemo.
Kerry had a history of drug problems, and drugs may have been a factor in the motorcycle crash in 1986 that cost him his right foot. Von Erich committed suicide at his father's ranch in Denton, Texas, on February 18, 1993 only one day after being indicted on a cocaine possession charge.[1] He is survived by two daughters, Lacey and Hollie.
Finishing and signature moves
- Von Erich Clawhold (Clawhold)
- Tornado Punch (Discus Punch)
Championships and accomplishments
-
- NWA American Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
- NWA American Tag Team Championship (6 times) - with Bruiser Brody (3), Kevin Von Erich (2), and Al Madril (1)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Bruiser Brody (1), Skip Young (1), and Tiger Conway, Jr. (1)
- NWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (3 times) - with Al Madril (1) and Terry Orndorff (2)
- WCCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship (8 times) with - David & Kevin Von Erich (2), Kevin & Mike Von Erich (3), Kevin Von Erich & Brian Adias (1), Lance & Kevin Von Erich (1), and Kevin Von Erich & Michael Hayes (1)
- WCWA Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
- WCWA Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Kevin Von Erich (3) and Jeff Jarrett (1)
-
- PWI Match of the Year award vs. Ric Flair in 1984.
- PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year award in 1984.
- PWI ranked him # 24 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- PWI ranked him # 23 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" in any combination of his brothers, David and Kevin in 2003.
-
- Feud of the Year award in 1983 - with Kevin Von Erich and Mike Von Erich vs The Fabulous Freebirds.
- Feud of the Year award in 1984 - with Kevin Von Erich and Mike Von Erich vs The Fabulous Freebirds.
- Match of the Year award in 1984 - with Kevin Von Erich and Mike Von Erich vs The Fabulous Freebirds.
References
External links
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