Kerry Von Erich

At 33 years old, Kerry Von Erich has this physical status:

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.

He was a member 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, as well as his stint in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Adkisson has won forty titles in various occupations throughout his career.

Among other accolades, he was a five-time world champion (a four-time WCWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion) and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion) and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion), as well as a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion.

Personal life

Kerry was married to Catherine M. Murray on June 18, 1983. Hollie Brooke (born September 19, 1984) and Lacey (born July 17, 1986). On April 22, 1992, the couple divorced.

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Professional wrestling career

Kerry was the son of wrestler Fritz Von Erich. David, Kevin, Mike, Mike, and Chris were all wrestlers. Kerry was also a standout in high school track and field, and he had a record-breaking discus throw. He debuted in his father's promotion, NWA Texas/Big Time Wrestling, against Paul Perschmann on May 7, 1978. He has wrestled in Big Time Wrestling, winning multiple Texas Tag Team and American Tag Team titles.

The bulk of Kerry's success was made in Texas' World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he was dubbed "The Modern Day Warrior" by Rush, a reference to his entrance music ("Tom Sawyer" by Rush). Since defeating Gino Hernandez for the vacant title on December 28, 1980, he began his NWA American Heavyweight Championship reign. Before winning his second NWA American Heavyweight Championship from The Masked Superstar, Ken Patera lost the title to Ken Patera. Kerry and Ernie Laddd traded the NWA American Heavyweight Championship in May and June 1981. Terry Orndorff and Terry Orndorff won the NWA American Tag Team Championship on October 25, defeating The Great Kabuki and Chan Chung. After having short fame as a singles wrestler, he began working with his brother Kevin. The two brothers competed Gary Hart and King Kong Bundy to a double disqualification on March 15, 1982. Von Erich finished the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race on June 4, bringing him to front event status.

Kerry began feuding with Ric Flair, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. He had his first shot at the NWA championship against Flair in a two out of three falls games, which would have resulted in Flair's to keep the title. With Michael "P.S." and Kerry, he got his second title shot against Flair in a no disqualification steel cage match. Hayes is the special guest referee. The Fabulous Freebirds aided Kerry in winning the game, but he refused to get their assistance because he didn't want to win by cheating. Terry Gordy slammed the cage door on Kerry's head, resulting in Flair winning the match and holding the trophy. This culminated in a five-year feud between the Von Erichs and the Freebirds.

He teamed with Bruiser Brody to defeat the Fabulous Freebirds in the NWA American Tag Team Championship on June 17, 1983. Kerry and his elder brothers Kevin and David defeated the Fabulous Freebirds in a two-out-three falls match to win the NWA Texas Six-Man Tag Team Championship on July 4, 2016. On August 12, the Freebirds regained their titles back to the Freebirds. The brothers faced the Fabulous Freebirds in a rematch for the titles on September 5, while the Freebirds retained their titles after pinning Kerry. Kerry defeated Michael Hayes in a loser-left Texas steel cage match on November 24, 2011.

The Von Erichs defeated the Freebirds in their second NWA Six-Man Tag Team Championship on December 2nd. Kerry defeated Kamala by disqualification on December 25, a first for the Commonwealth. He joined Mike and David against the Fabulous Freebirds in a six-man tag team competition on January 30, 1984, which the Von Erichs lost by disqualification.

Kerry's greatest career triumph came on May 6, 1984, when he defeated "Nature Boy" Ric Flair in a thrilling match at Texas Stadium in front of over 45,000 fans. Kerry's win was a tribute to his brother David, who died three months earlier and for whom the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions was named. In a bout marred by controversy, Von Erich's feet were on the bottom rope after a reversed rollup, but the referee ignored this and continued the count. Kerry has his 12th longest NWA World championship run in history. In truth, the NWA only gave Kerry a brief tenure, and the belt was ordered to be stripped to Flair ahead of the Night of Champions match against the Flair and Ricky Steamboat on May 29.

The Von Erichs lost the Fabulous Freebirds' six-man tag title on July 4. After an interference by Killer Khan, the Freebirds took the title due to the Freebirds' victory. They defeated the Freebirds in a handicap steel cage match on September 3rd for his fourth six-man tag championship title run.

The Von Erich brothers' feud with Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams, and Jake Roberts followed after putting an end to their rivalry with the Fabulous Freebirds. Kerry's relationship with Adams was born out of Adams' relationship with his brother Kevin, which began on September 28, 1984 (when Adams turned heel against Kevin after a tag team loss). Adams and Kerry fought in San Antonio two days later as a tag team since the heel turn had not been shown on television yet. Hernandez, Adams, and Roberts won the Six Man Tag Championship in a game that saw Bobby Fulton substitute for an injured Kevin. He defeated Gino Hernandez for his fifth NWA American Heavyweight Championship on October 29. On November 22, he teamed with Iceman Parsons to defeat Jake Roberts and Kelly Kiniski. Terry Gordy and Killer Khan, who have been fighting for a Texas Deathmatch that Gordy defeated by Kerry, later referred to by him. Kerry won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on December 25, a title he had lost a few months ago. Ric Flair, the champion, was disqualified to keep the title for the first time. The Von Erichs won the NWA Six-Man Tag Team Championship on December 31, defeating Hernandez, Roberts, and Adams.

Kerry Von Erich's final days in WCCW, he's expected to be embroiled in a feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler (AWA World Heavyweight Champion) over who will be the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Kerry was the WCWA's final name before the USWA days (World Class Wrestling Association) in the United States. To resolve the conflict, they will attend the event called SuperClash III. Kerry mistakenly cut his arm causing it to bleed ahead of the match. He also got a head cut during the game. The referee noticed the blood on Kerry's head while Lawler's shoulders down, considered it unnecessary, and called the game off. Kerry was expected to win by submission by submission, but the referee called the match and awarded the decision and the WCWA Championship to Jerry Lawler instead "due to excessive bleeding." Kerry's WCWA debut will come to an end.

Von Erich appeared in various television shows for All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, UWF Mid-South, Championship Wrestling, Central States Wrestling, and Central States Wrestling. From 1979 to 1985, he was the president of the St. Louis Wrestling Club, where he first contested the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship in 1983. Von Erich made his World Wrestling Federation debut on March 24, 1980, defeating Jose Estrada. Kerry appeared on September 28, 1985, defeating Jimmy Garvin to hold the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. He wrestled with Jerry Lawler in 1988 and joined the Continental Wrestling Association in Tennessee, where he fought with him.

Kerry continued to wrestle at the Dallas Sportatorium under the USWA banner, which gained World Class in early 1989. He formed a tag team with Jeff Jarrett, who shared the Tag Team Championship with him. He has also won the Texas heavyweight title twice. Kerry feuded with Matt Borne, who turned heel during a ringside interview, in 1990; during one match, the two fighters clashed outside the Sportatorium into the parking lot amid a thunderstorm. Percy Pringle, the manager, had turned heel and began feuding with Kerry. Kerry unexpectedly departed the USWA/World Class and joined the WWF, leaving the Von Erich family's older brother Kevin (who was still unresponsive) and Chris during their time of fame. Chris Adams, Honorary von Erich "Gentleman" Adams, became the Sportatorium's top headliner, rivalring Pringle, Steve Austin, and Jeanie Clarke. Soon after, the World Class was released from the USWA, but World Class was suspended three months later, due to Kerry's resignation, manager Gary Hart, and a lack of television and revenues.

Von Erich started working with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in June 1990. He debuted on Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII as a fan favorite under the ring name Texas Tornado (while being explicitly identified as Kerry Von Erich by announcers), defeating Buddy Rose, who coincidently was his first opponent in his career. Although WWF announcers did not openly mention Kerry's achievements, they did acknowledge that he wasn't obligated to prove anything to anyone. Tornado was recalled for the injured Brutus Beefcake at SummerSlam and defeated Mr. The Intercontinental Championship is a match that must be won. Tornado defended the title for three months, including a match against Haku on Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII, before losing the title to former champion Mr. XVII. In a rematch against the Superstars' December 15 (Taped November 19) version, it was all smooth. This match was tense, and the result was not to be flawless due to Ted DiBiase's interference. In a series of matches, Von Erich would try to get revenge against Dibiase.

While still the Intercontinental Champion, he wrestled in a Survivor Series match involving the WWF Champion The Ultimate Warrior (formerly The Dingo Warrior in World Class) and the Legion of Doom (Hawk and Animal). Mr. Sullivan, a long-time rival, was able to disqualify him. His team was on top of the match, but his team lost the match.

He appeared in the Royal Rumble match in 1991, where he came fifth and was eliminated by The Undertaker after only half an hour. He appeared at WrestleMania VII for his first WrestleMania appearance, defeating Dino Bravo following a Tornado punch. Von Erich continued to be pushed for the first half of 1991 and did not face another pinfall defeat until August 17, 1991, when he was defeated by The Warlord in Landover, MD. He competed with the British Bulldog and Ricky Steamboat in a six-man tag team competition to beat The Warlord and Power and Glory's team (Paul Roma and Hercules).

Von Erich, an old rival of Ric Flair, was among the first names to face him in the ring after the NWA World Champion joined the WWF in October 1991. During the WWF's October tour of the United Kingdom, Flair defeated Von Erich several times. "The Texas Tornado" suffered his first defeat after being squashed by The Undertaker in less than four minutes on the November 10, 1991 episode of Wrestling Challenge. He and Sgt. teamed up at Survivor Series. Jim Duggan, the executioner, and Tito Santana clashed with Colonel Mustafa, Skinner, and Hercules. He did not kill anyone, but his entire crew survived. In 1992, he made his last pay-per-view (PPV) appearance at the Royal Rumble in the United Kingdom; he competed in the vacancy in the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Ric Flair, the eventual champion of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, was disqualified by him. Kerry's attempts in early 1992 began to decline. He was relegated to a house show contest with Skinner in which he came out victorious; in February, he began a house show competition with Rick Martel and was winless.

Following Von Erich's absence of two months after his marital breakdown and subsequent divorce, he regained control and met Marc Roberts on the 1991 episode of Superstars. However, he has now emerged as an opening card act against low-level competition such as Barry Horowitz, Kato, and Skinner. Von Erich was unable to return to action after losing multiple matches against Rick Martel, Nailz, and Kamala, although undefeated against them in multiple games. On the 1992 edition of WWF Prime Time Wrestling, Von Erich's last wrestling appearance on WWF TV was a loss to Shawn Michaels. Despite Von Erich's pledge to face Papa Shango at the SummerSlam PPV card in London, the United Kingdom's eldest brother, El Matador, was later replaced by El Matador and officially left the WWF in August 1992.

Kerry returned to Texas and claimed the USWF Texas Heavyweight Championship, which he lost to Dynamite Dixon in November 1992. This will be Kerry's last championship belt. He appeared in The Battle of the Belts, an ECW tournament, against Salvatore Bellomo in a double disqualification. Kerry came back to Dallas to compete in the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), where he began competing with former arch-rival Chris Adams. Kerry's last match took place on February 12, 1993. At the Sportatorium, Kerry and Chris Adams lost by disqualification to Johnny Mantell and Black Bart, which was a tag team match in the GWF.

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