Kerry Von Erich

[Kerry von Erich GALLERY]

Title History

•  NWA Texas Tag Team titles w/ Bruiser Brody defeating Tim Brooks and Mark Lewin (July 23, 1979);
• NWA Texas Tag Team titles w/ Tiger Conway Jr. (1980);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ El Halcon defeating Mr. Sakurada and Mr. Hito (August 1980);
• NWA Texas Tag Team titles w/ Sweet Brown Sugar defeating Tim Brooks and Stan Stasiak (August 1, 1980);
• NWA (World Class) American Heavyweight title defeating Gino Hernandez (December 28, 1980);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Bruiser Brody defeating Gary Young and Gino Hernandez (January 11, 1981);
• NWA (World Class) American Heavyweight title defeating Ernie Ladd (June 4, 1981);
• NWA (Texas) World Tag Team titles w/ Terry Orndorff defeating Chang Chung and Great Kabuki (October 1981);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Terry Orndorff (October 25, 1981);
• NWA (Texas) World Tag Team titles w/ Al Madril defeating Bill Irwin and Frank Dusek (December 1981);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Al Madril (1982);
• NWA (World Class) American Heavyweight title defeating Bugsy McGraw (March 8, 1982);
• NWA (Texas) World Tag Team titles w/ Al Madril defeating Bugsy McGraw and Bill Irwin (April 1982);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich defeating King Kong Bundy and Bugsy McGraw (July 5, 1982);
• NWA Missouri Heavyweight title defeating Harley Race (January 23, 1983);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Bruiser Brody defeating Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy (June 17, 1983);
• NWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin and David Von Erich defeating Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes (July 4, 1983);
• NWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin and David Von Erich defeating Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy and Ric Flair (sub for Michael Hayes) (December 2, 1983);
• NWA World Heavyweight title defeating Ric Flair (May 6, 1984);
• NWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin and Mike Von Erich defeating Buddy Roberts, Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes (September 3, 1984);
• NWA (World Class) American Heavyweight title defeating Gino Hernandez (October 29, 1984);
• NWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin and Mike Von Erich defeating Jake Roberts and Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez (December 31, 1984);
• NWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich and Brian Adias defeating One Man Gang and Mark Lewin and Jack Victory (sub for Tim Brooks) (September 2, 1985);
• NWA (World Class) American Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich defeating Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez (September 20, 1985);
• WCWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin and Lance Von Erich defeating Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes (May 4, 1986);
• WCWA (World Class) World Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich defeating Brian Adias and Frankie Lancaster (November 25, 1987);
• WCWA (World Class) World Heavyweight title defeating Al Perez (March 6, 1988);
• WCWA (World Class) World Heavyweight title defeating Iceman Parsons (May 8, 1988);
• WCWA (World Class) World Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich defeating Terry Taylor and Iceman Parsons (July 1, 1988);
• WCWA (World Class) World Six Man Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich and Michael Hayes defeating Iceman Parsons and Buddy Roberts and Kamala (sub for Terry Gordy) (July 8, 1988);
• WCWA (World Class) World Heavyweight title defeating Jerry Lawler (November 4, 1988);
• WCWA (World Class) World Tag Team titles w/ Kevin Von Erich Awarded (Febuary ??, 1989);
• WCWA (World Class) World Tag Team titles w/ Jeff Jarrett defeating Jimmy Golden and Robert Fuller (March 12, 1989);
• USWA Texas Heavyweight title defeating The Punisher (October 20, 1989);
• USWA Texas Heavyweight title defeating Jerry Lawler (January 5, 1990);
• USWA Texas Heavyweight title defeating Matt Borne (June 1, 1990);
• WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title defeating Curt Hennig (August 27, 1990);
• USWA Texas heavyweight title defeating Jerry Lawler (January 6, 1990);
• USWA (Texas) Heavyweight title defeating Matt Borne (June 1, 1990);

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

• Kerry von Erich broke his own fathers junior world discus throwing record in high school.
• ~~~Kerry was ready to compete in the Olympics but President Jimmy Carter ordered the Olympic Team to boycot the games that year!
• March 24, 1980 – WWF: Kerry Von Erich pinned Jose Estrada in his Madison Square Garden debut

World Class Championship Wrestling:

• Kerry von Erich won the World Class Tag Team titles 4 times, 3 with his brother Kevin, and once with Jeff Jarrett.
• Kerry von Erich also won the World Class Heavyweight title on three separate occassions.
• February 1984: Kerry von Erich’s oldest brother David died shockingly during a tour of Japan of a reported intestinal infection.
• ~~~June 6, 1984: A tribute card was held in David’s memory in Texas and Kerry defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World title!
• 1984: Kerry von Erich was voted the most popular wrestler of the year, and finished third in the wrestler of the year.
• September 28, 1985 – AWA SuperClash: Kerry Von Erich pinned Jimmy Garvin to retain the World Class Heavyweight title.
• June 4, 1986: While driving his motorcycle in Argyle, TX, Kerry pulls to his left on a two-lane highway to pass a van.
• ~~~Kerry skids into the rear of the police car that stopped in front of van to make a left hand turn.
• ~~~Kerry flew 50 feet in the air and landed on the road and suffered a dislocated hip and a severly damaged right knee and ankle.
• ~~~Kerry had to get a prosthetic foot, but did come back to early from the injury.
• ~~~The prosthetic foot was kept a secret until a match with Col Debeers, where Debeers accidently pulled off Kerry’s boot!
• 1986: Kerry von Erich became addicted to pain killers following his accident despite his continued success in the wrestling business.
• December 25, 1987 – WCWA: Al Perez defeated Kerry von Erich in a steel cage match to retain the world class world heavyweight title.
• December 27, 1987 – WCWA: The Cosmic Cowboys (Kerry von Erich & Kevin von Erich) defeated Brian Adias & Frankie Lancaster.
• January 18, 1988 – WCWA: Chris Adams & Kerry von Erich defeated The Fabulous Freebirds (Buddy Roberts & Terry Gordy) in a lumberjack match.
• March 6, 1988 – WCWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Al Perez to win the World Class world heavyweight title.
• November 4, 1988 – AWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Jerry Lawler to win the World Class World Heavyweight title.
• November 12, 1988 – AWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Col. DeBeers to retain the world heavyweight title.
• November 18, 1988 – AWA: Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry von Erich to win the WCWA world heavyweight title and retaining the AWA world heavyweight title.
• November 24, 1988 – AWA: Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry von Erich to retain the world heavyweight title.
• November 25, 1988 – AWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Jerry Lawler in a steel cage match.
• December 13, 1988 – SuperClash III: Jerry Lawler (AWA champion) beat Kerry von Erich (World Class champion) in a Unification match.
• ~~~Kerry lost the match, and his title, by referee stoppage, in one of the most controversial decisions in wrestling history!
• ~~~Kerry had Jerry Lawler in his dreaded Iron Claw finisher, but the referee called the match because of Kerry’s bloodloss!
• February 17, 1989 – WCWA: Jimmy Golden & Robert Fuller defeated The Cosmic Cowboys (Kerry von Erich & Kevin von Erich) by disqualification to win the world tag team titles.
• May 15, 1989 – USWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Dutch Mantell.
• May 19, 1989 – WCWA: Cactus Jack & Super Zodiac II defeated Jeff Jarrett & Kerry von Erich to win the world tag team titles.
• July 3, 1989 – USWA: Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry von Erich to retain the unified world heavyweight title.
• July 4, 1989 – WCWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Bam Bam Bigelow.
• January 5, 1990 – USWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Jerry Lawler to win the Texas heavyweight title.
• March 9, 1990 – USWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Soultaker to retain the Texas heavyweight title.
• May 25, 1990 – USWA: Matt Borne defeated Kerry von Erich to win the Texas heavyweight title.
• June 1, 1990 – USWA: Kerry von Erich defeated Matt Borne to win the Texas heavyweight title.
• June 11, 1990 – USWA: Kerry von Erich defeated John Tatum.

World Wrestling Federation:

• Summer 1990: Kerry Von Erich made his way to the World Wrestling Federation where he would be known as “The Texas Tornado”.
• July 28, 1990 – Saturday Night Main Event: The Texas Tornado defeated Buddy Rose.
• August 5, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated The Brooklyn Brawler.
• August 11, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Iron Mike Sharpe.
• August 12, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Paul Diamond.
• August 25, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Bob Bradley.
• August 27, 1990 – SummerSlam: The Texas Tornado defeated Mr. Perfect to win the Intercontinental title!!
• September 16, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated The Conquistador to retain the Intercontinental title.
• September 22, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Barry O to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 13, 1990 – Saturday Night Main Event: The Texas Tornado defeated Haku to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 19, 1990 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado vs. Mr. Perfect ended in a double count-out to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 20, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Paul Diamond to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 28, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Doug Vines to retain the Intercontinental title.
• October 29, 1990 – Survivor Series Showdown: The Texas Tornado defeated Smash by disqualification to retain the Intercontinental title.
• November 10, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Buddy Rose to retain the Intercontinental title.
• November 18, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Black Bart to retain the Intercontinental title.
• November 22, 1990 – Survivor Series: The Ultimate Warriors (Animal, Hawk, The Texas Tornado & The Ultimate Warrior) defeated The Perfect Team (Ax, Crush, Mr. Perfect & Smash) in a tag team elimination match.
• December 1, 1990 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated The Brooklyn Brawler to retain the Intercontinental title.
• December 15, 1990 – Superstars: Mr. Perfect defeated The Texas Tornado to win the Intercontinental title.
• December 28, 1990 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado defeated Virgil.
• December 30, 1990 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Black Bart.
• January 5, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Tom Stone.
• January 14, 1991 – House Show: The Texas Tornado defeated Virgil.
• January 19, 1991 – Royal Rumble: The Texas Tornado entered the Royal Rumble at #5 but was eliminated by the Undertaker.
• January 20, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Kent Carlson.
• February 2, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Mr. Perfect by count-out. Mr. Perfect retains the Intercontinental title.
• February 10, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Dale Wolfe.
• February 16, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeats Darryl Woodworth.
• March 3, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Allen Martin.
• March 15, 1991 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado defeated Ted DiBiase.
• March 16, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Pez Whatley.
• March 24, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Cliff Sheets.
• March 24, 1991 – WrestleMania 7: The Texas Tornado defeated Dino Bravo.
• April 7, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Doug Vines.
• April 13, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated The Black Knight.
• April 22, 1991 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado vs. The Warlord ended in a double count-out.
• April 24, 1991 – UK Rampage: Ted DiBiase defeated The Texas Tornado by count-out.
• May 4, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Al Burke.
• May 19, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Ricky Rice.
• June 1, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated The Brooklyn Brawler.
• June 2, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Bob Bradley.
• June 29, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Louie Spicolli.
• July 21, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Ed Moretti.
• July 25, 1991 – House Show: The Texas Tornado defeated Earthquake.
• July 26-27, 1991 – House Show: The Texas Tornado defeated Smash.
• July 27, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Vern Siebert.
• July 28, 1991 – House Show: The Texas Tornado defeated Haku.
• August 11, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Jim Peterson in a dark match.
• August 17, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Pete Doherty.
• August 25, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Paul Perez.
• August 26, 1991 – SummerSlam: The British Bulldog, The Dragon & The Texas Tornado defeated Power And Glory (Hercules & Paul Roma) & The Warlord.
• September 7, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Bubba Monroe.
• September 22, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Barry Hardy.
• October 3, 1991 – Battle Royal At the Albert Hall: The Mountie defeated The Texas Tornado. The Texas Tornado was also in the battle royal won by The British Bulldog.
• October 19, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated The Brooklyn Brawler.
• October 27, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Brian Costello.
• October 28, 1991 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado defeated Big Bully Busick.
• November 10, 1991 – Wrestling Challenge: The Undertaker defeated The Texas Tornado.
• November 23, 1991 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Greg Green.
• November 27, 1991 – Survivor Series: El Matador, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter & The Texas Tornado defeated Col. Mustafa, Hercules, Skinner & The Berzerker in a tag team elimination match.
• November 30, 1991 – MSG Network: The Texas Tornado defeated The Berzerker by count-out.
• December 14, 1991 – House Show: The Texas Tornado defeated The Great Kabuki.
• January 19, 1992 – Royal Rumble: Kerry von Erich entered the Royal Rumble at #9 but was eliminated by the Ric Flair.
• February 9, 1992 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Pat Tanaka.
• Kerry von Erich developed addictions to recreational drugs (namely cocaine) and began to miss WWF events he was booked on.
• While Kerry was with the WWF, he worked a show in New York, and witnessed a man rob a woman’s purse.
• ~~~When the guy ran towards him, Kerry short arm clotheslined him and returned the purse to the victim.
• January 31, 1992 – MSG Network: Rick Martel defeated The Texas Tornado.
• February 29, 1992 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Kato.
• April 18, 1992 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Warren Bianchi.
• April 26, 1992 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Mark Roberts.
• June 6, 1992 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Mike Collins.
• June 22, 1992 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Bob Bradley.
• June 27, 1992 – Superstars: The Texas Tornado defeated Duane Gill.
• June 28, 1992 – Wrestling Challenge: The Texas Tornado defeated Barry Horowitz.
• Early 1992: Kerry von Erich was released by the WWF.

The Death of Kerry von Erich:

• February 8, 1992: Kerry was arrested for attempting to falsify drug prescriptions – he was released on bond and went to rehab.
• ~~~One year later, Kerry was indicted on a cocaine possession charge and was in the process of being given a jail sentence.
• ~~~Fritz Von Erich announced that his son, Kerry, will be re-entering a drug rehabilitation program.
• October 1, 1992: Kerry von Erich is sentenced on six felony counts of prescription forgery.
• ~~~He recieved a ten year suspended license, ten years of supervised probation and a $6,000 fine.
• January 23, 1993 – ECW: Kerry von Erich vs. Salvatore Bellomo ended in a double disqualification.
• February 12, 1993 – GWF: Black Bart & Johnny Mantell defeat Chris Adams & Kerry von Erich by disqualification
• February 17, 1993: Kerry von Erich was indicated on a cocaine possession charge and was going to go to jail for violating his parole.
• February 18, 1993: Kerry von Erich took his own life and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was 33 years old.
• ~~~Kerry was the third of the von Erich brothers to commit suicide, with brothers Mike and Chris taking their own lives before him.
• ~~~Kerry von Erich was also the fourth of the five brothers to pass away, leaving Kevin as the only surviving member.
• March 20, 2009 – SmackDown!: The WWE announced that the von Erich Family would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
• April 4, 2009 – WWE Hall of Fame: The von Erich Family was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Michael Hayes.
• April 5, 2009 – WrestleMania 25: The entire WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 was introduced to the live crowd as a tribute.
• June 15, 2014 – TNA Slammiversary: Kerry Von Erich was ringside with his sons Ross and Marshall Von Erich. Ross and Marshall Von Erich (TNA Debut) defeated Jessie Godderz and Zema Ion by disqualification.