The Von Erich family’s tragedy is a story now airing on the big screen. The Iron Claw Movie is the biographical drama of the Von Erich brother’s triumph as wrestlers and their family’s heartbreak.
The Iron Claw is a 2023 film written and directed by Sean Durkin. The film stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, and Lily James. The movie is based on professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich and the Von Erich family. The Iron Claw premiered at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 8, 2023. It was released in the United States on December 22, 2023, by A24 and is scheduled for a release in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2024, by Lionsgate.
The film centers around the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers from Texas that had enormous success in the 1980s and popularized the iron claw professional wrestling hold. While not in the ring, they fought the “Von Erich curse” outside of it, with a string of unbearable personal tragedies.
UCW Promo Kerry Von Erich Volume 1 Most Fearsome Foes 9×16 1 – YouTube
What happened to the Von Erich Family?
The Von Erich family is prominent in professional wrestling, known for their in-ring prowess and tragic history. The family patriarch, Fritz Von Erich, was a successful wrestler in the 1950s and 1960s, and his sons, Kevin, David, Mike, Kerry, Chris, and Lance, followed in his footsteps.
However, the family has also been plagued by tragedy. Three of the Von Erich brothers, Mike, Chris, and Kerry, all died by suicide between 1987 and 1993. Mike died of a drug overdose at the age of 23, Chris shot himself in the head at the age of 21, and Kerry shot himself in the chest at the age of 33.
The reasons for the brothers’ suicides are complex and have been the subject of much speculation. Some have attributed them to the pressures of being professional wrestlers, while others have suggested that they may have been suffering from mental illness.
Triumph Over Tragedy
Despite the tragic deaths of three of his brothers, Kevin Von Erich has continued to be a successful wrestling promoter and manager. He is the only surviving member of the Von Erich family, and he has spoken out about the importance of mental health awareness at his live in-person events, where he shares his stories from the rope and the Von Erich wrestling legacy.
Historic Footage
The Ultimate Classic Wrestling channel features over eighty hours of classic wrestling footage featuring the Von Erich brothers and their famous matches. Chris Von Erich. who was not in the film, also has notable matches within the channel including, The Von Erich Dynasty and Masters Of The Iron Claw. You can watch Ultimate Classic Wrestling now on PlexTV Redbox and Sports Tribal.
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