Kerry von Erich

[6.0] "An amazing athlete and natural wrestler, he was certainly on a path to greatness. He really had it all. A shame what happened to him and the entire family. Absolutely could see him with multiple World title runs in multiple promotions. Just wasn't meant to be."

[7.0] "He had the best physique but Kevin was right behind him. What he lacked in promo skills he made up with by having a lot of charisma. If he was able to stay sober he had a chance to hold the NWA title longer or having the WWE or WCW championship."

"The fourth son of Fritz Von Erich was without a doubt the most successful and promising of the whole family. While David is often lauded as the gem of the family and the future NWA Champion, rewatching WCCW TV from before David s death still makes me think Kerry was clearly the golden goose. A decent worker for his time (early 80s) and a physique that may have been one of the best ever in the business, Kerry looked like he would be one of the biggest stars of the future. While not a great promo, he embodied the hometown hero Christian athlete that the Von Erichs were trying to portray to a tee, at least early on. After Davids death, Kerry was given a conciliatory NWA title run that only lasted a few weeks. But after this his career slowly unraveled. The pressure of WWF running regional territories out of business and Kerrys motorcycle accident took a massive toll on WCCW and Kerry himself. By the late 80s and early 90s. WCCW was a shell of itself. Finally Kerry went to WWF, where he started out strong with an IC title win over Mr. Perfect. Despite this, Kerry had become so addicted to a variety of drugs by this point that after numerous stints in rehab and other attempted interventions, the company was forced to release him. At this point Kerry began working in Dallas again for USWA and Global. In this last stage of his career, Kerry was forging prescriptions, getting caught up in IRS investigations for failing to pay taxes, and was facing a collapsing marriage. The pressure of all this compounded by the loss of all his brothers but Kevin was too much to bear, and in February 1993 he took his own life at a tree on Fritzs property. In the end, Kerrys greatest run was the one he had with David and Kevin as the beloved powerhouse and top babyface in WCCW in 1983. Some people wonder if things wouldve been different had he not lost David and his foot, but given that he had struggled with drugs even before those events, I think it is fair to say he probably wouldnt have been able to handle the intense life of the WWF champion in the 80s. He will go down as one of the most beloved territory wrestlers of the 1980s and an inspiration the the next generation who came through Texas on their was to glory in the Monday Night Wars."

[9.0] "Only saw his work in the WWF, but I must say he moves pretty well for a guy with one foot. He has amazing in-ring work and an amazing physique. Plus he got to hold the IC title from Mr. Perfect at Summerslam 1990. I may also say he was also former NWA champion."

[7.0] "Kerry Von Erich was the best of Fritz Von Erich's famous sons. He had the looks and athleticism to be a main event star and he must have wanted to learn because he continued to become stronger in the ring through the mid-eighties. Kerry's early years were highlighted by his chase of the NWA title, initially held by Harley Race, but mostly held by Race's dynastic successor Ric Flair. Kerry's matches with Flair were well remembered for angles related to the chase. In the summer of 1982, Kerry "won two straight falls" by knocking Flair out with a sleeper hold and subsequently pinning him, but the sleeper was disallowed by referee Alfred Neely who had himself been knocked for a loop a couple of minutes earlier. This result led World Class, which had just launched one of the first nationally syndicated wrestling programs, to refer to Kerry as "the uncrowned champion." Kerry challenged Flair again in a cage match at Reunion Arena that included Kerry's then friend, Michael Hayes, as a special referee. In the end, Hayes cost Kerry the match by attempting to throw the match in his favor. After Kerry nobly refused to accept a tainted victory, Hayes' partner Terry Gordy slammed the cage door on Kerry's head which resulted in Flair eventually pinning Kerry. That incident ignited the famous feud between the Von Erichs and the Freebirds, a program so successful that even the chase was essentially put on hold in favor of more main event matches against combinations of the Freebirds. Following David Von Erich's death in early 1984, Kerry resumed the chase and captured the title in an abbreviated and forgettable match at Texas Stadium. Kerry held the title for less than three weeks, but in that short period he managed to have two memorable defenses that were taped and broadcast. The first was the following day in Fort Worth, Texas, where Kerry defended the title against Terry Gordy in a 16 minute sprint at the Will Rogers Coliseum. That match is one of a handful of matches that showcases World Class Championship Wrestling at its best, combining the rabid Fort Worth crowd with a crazy highspot sprint that made up for any technical shortcomings with the enthusiasm of the performers and the drama of the storyline. Even breathless Mark Lowrance added to the occasion, hysterically commenting "a move that has caused death and paralysis has been used on Kerry" after a Gordy piledriver. The next example from Kerry's reign was his successful defense against Jumbo Tsuruta in a two out of three falls match in Tokyo. That match showcased what Kerry might have looked like as a touring NWA champion, with tight, logical ringwork that told a story across the classic NWA two out of three falls format. Any shortcomings Kerry had as a worker were well hidden by Tsuruta, who was the best in the world at the time, and the well defined storyline. Two days later, Kerry dropped the title back to Ric Flair in a return match. Kerry and Flair would have a number of strong rematches in subsequent years, with their matches from Saint Louis and Hawaii in 1985 being well remembered for showcasing Kerry at his working peak in matches where the ringwork was not overshadowed by angles. Overall I would rate Kerry as a stronger Flair opponent than Magnum T.A., Nikita Koloff, or Lex Luger, while being well below Ricky Steamboat or Barry Windham, so about an 8 at his peak, with 7 being a fair commentary on his overall career."

[8.0] "Kerry Von Erich was a highly talented and charismatic wrestler who left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. His contributions to WCCW and his success in the ring are remembered fondly by fans. Kerry was often was known for his impressive athleticism and physical prowess. He was jacked to the gills, which contributed to his in-ring presence. His good looks, charismatic personality, and in-ring prowess endeared him to audiences. He had a natural ability to connect with the crowd, making him a beloved figure in the wrestling world. His athletic abilities made him a versatile performer capable of executing high-flying maneuvers and powerful slams. He showed great skill and was dynamic in-ring performer who possessed a repertoire of wrestling moves that showcased both technical ability and athleticism. His matches were often fast-paced and entertaining, earning him a reputation as one of the top talents in his father's World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and other promotions. Like his siblings, Kerry faced many personal struggles, including legal issues and battles with substance abuse. In June of 86, a motorcycle accident resulted in Kerry losing his leg and almost losing his life. Likely due to pressure from his father, he was fast tracked back into the ring and was never given proper time to heal and adjust to the changes which had a significant impact on his life and career, further contributing to a decline in his overall well-being. Following the loss of his leg, Kerry wrestled on a prosthesis and though his in-ring skills suffered little because of his, he lived a life of increased pain which likely compounded an addiction to pain killers. Sadly, Kerry wasn't able to outrun the curse that followed his family and died by suicide having just turned 33 years old. His death marked the culmination of personal struggles and challenges he faced outside the ring despite having immense success within it. Despite his death, Kerry played a pivotal role in maintaining and extending the family's legacy in the wrestling world. The Von Erichs were synonymous with Texas wrestling, and Kerry's contributions, along with those of his brothers, helped establish a lasting impact on the regional and national wrestling scene."

[9.0] "Kerry had it all, the looks, the in ring ability, could somewhat cut a promo but he worked crowds so well, had the women falling at his feet and literally kissing them and looked like Conan The Barbarian I mean he had it ALL. My favorite rivalries of his include Ric Flair, The Freebirds, and Mr. Perfect. Of course its sad when you hear the way he went out along with most of his brothers. You know what they say, "the candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long". I think that quote represents the Von Erich family well especially Kerry. Now back to his in ring work, my dad always loved his finisher the Iron Claw and even told me Kevin and Kerry went to his high school to promote and recruit which I always found cool. My dad watched Kerry more before his time in the WWF when Kerry wrestled during the early 90's the Ultimate Warrior larger than life years of pro wrestling which he honestly fit right into being so charismatic and absolutely shredded. I always wonder what would have happened to Kerry and his career if he never passed so early. Probably would of been one of the greats even though he was already so great as it was. I'm giving Kerry a 9 because his only downside was really the promo and his mind if he were to have been born with the same genes 30 years later with the "safer" industry we have now where there are less drugs and bad influences I think he would be world champion in any promotion."

[8.0] "Kerry ultimately had the most success of the von Erich brothers, winning - amongst other titles - the NWA World Title that brother David once had been destined for, as well as several runs with his family's WCCW World Title, and, during a somewhat short but productive run with the WWF, their Intercontinental Title as well. He had all the tools required of a true star - skill, look, charisma - but, sadly, wasn't able to escape the darkness that followed the von Erichs."

[6.0] "The best looking of the Von Erichs but the family curse eventually destroyed him. First losing his foot due to a motorcycle accident and having to wrestler on a prosthetic and a drug habit made him a mess by the time he got to the WWF and Vince was looking to get the IC belt off him almost as soon as he gave him the thing! Another well documented tragedy of pro wrestling."

[8.0] "Gawd he was a something! Most wrestlers don't have that elusive mythical special something & I'm not talking about the "it factor" Vince McMahon fabricated. I'm talking a legit, for real, once in a lifetime -->*IT*<-- factor, the kind only a very small handful will ever have. An authentic IT FACTOR. As a youngling I was completely hooked. David passed right as I became a fan so I could only appreciate him in retrospect, Kevin was his own animal but Kerry seemed as if sent from the heavens. Looking back, he appears like a child gifted with the body of a god and I guess that's what he was - a boy in a man's body. A career self sabotaged by extremely dangerous immature choices. Choices that carved away years from his career- just when Dallas/World Class (his father) needed him the most. Choices that ultimately cost him his life. But when he was in the ring? Captivating! While he was never the same man post Motorcycle accident, he also never led on just how poor his condition was. I admit, I noticed by the time he was in the WWF he was a shell - but I must rewind time and remind even myself: His active in ring career WAS tremendous, WAS must see wrestling and DOES hold up well. From the "caution to the wind" Freebird feud, to "winning the big one for David" from Flair, to the sympathy machine he learned to become and even the chemistry with Mr. Perfect (his best opponent); most Kerry Von Erich is very watchable."

[10.0] "This man had it all, the looks, the charisma, the athleticism, the wrestling skills, he had everything. Such a shame how his life ended. R. I. P"

[8.0] "One of the best babyfaces in the early 80s. He had the looks and charisma. He started to get worse after his motorcycle accident but he only had one foot and for a guy with one foot he was pretty good. Unfortunately personal problems clouded him."

[8.0] "Kerry Von Erich is hard to rate out of ten. He looked incredible and earned the love of crowds well beyond his home promotion of WCCW. The WWE Hall of Famer and former World Champion would have great matches with Ric Flair and Jerry Lawler but equally could have fairly clumsy short showings that relied heavily on punches (which wasn't ideal when his finish was a punch too) and the superior work of an opponent like Mr Perfect. Addiction, family tragedy, severe physical injury and mental health issues added up to derail his short life and promising career. The Texas Tornado could quite easily have been a huge star for the WWF if things had gone differently. Regardless, he and his family were wrestling royalty in Texas and he certainly enjoyed success elsewhere too. RIP Kerry, thanks for some special moments."

[9.0] "The best Von Erich in the family. He had the charisma and the physique. His wrestling style was fast paced and exciting to watch. The only thing is was not great at was cutting promos. He entertained the crowds in WCCW and made matches exciting. His feud with Ric Flair was one of the best matches of the 80's. Kerry was an outstanding performerin wrestling. In 1986 when he had that motorcycle accident and lost his leg he wore a prosthetic in the ring. One point right there as he overcame that challenges. Zach Gowen was not the first to do that. When he was in the WWF he had a great start winning the Intercontinental title form Mr. Perfect. After he lost the title he went down to mid to low card. I think WWF should have put him in main event status and not end up in low card status. Disgusting to a great wrestler. Unfortunately he struggled to his families' problems and drug addictions which made him end his life at a very young age. Who knows what would have happened if he not killed himself. He was a great babyface and was never a heel. RIP to a great legend."

[3.0] "Kerry had a great body and when he was properly motivated could put forth a good performance (as long as he was being carried by a better talent) but for the most part was a spaced-out addict who wasn't a particularly good or smart person. His fellow wrestlers talk about him like he was basically a retard. His horrible family background, lack of intelligence, lack of focus, and drug addictions make Kerry one of the most overrated wrestlers of his era. Watching him cut a promo is literally like watching a Make-A-Wish kid try to play wrestler."

[3.0] "I never really understood the hype for this guy. The Claw is such an awful move and to be honest I have seen his matches (with and without his foot) and honestly he just doesn't feel like a wrestler. The way he moves is all wrong."

[8.0] "Unfortunately most of my knowledge of Kerry Von Erich is through word of mouth with me only familiar with his work as The Texas Tornado in the WWE. However in my research I have found him to be a really great talent and when considering he did a lot of this having only 1 foot later in his career my respect level has to go up for him."

[8.0] "My favorite wrestler of all time. His wcwa run was as over as any run anyonr ever had ever. But he was the promoters kid. He was protected. The run only lasted 3-4 years before kerry self destructed. He always sucked on the mic but man did he ever look like a god brought to life. Should have been one of the top 10 wrestlers of his era if he could have stayed healthy and off the drugs."

[9.0] "On his best days, Kerry could've been considered one of the best workers in the country. On his bad days, he could be one of the worst. Still, even with all the tragedy, the man worked decent matches on one foot and most people didn't even know it. Kerry was one of my first favorites when I was a little kid as the Texas Tornado. It's a shame how his life ended."

[8.0] "Very underrated wrestler. People say he was carried in his best matches by his opponents like Flair, Tsuruta or Lawler, but if you have so many great matches, you couldn't possibly be carried in all of them. Great charisma, presence in the ring and of course his looks all made Kerry the best wrestler of the von Erich family. Unfortunately, you have to admit, that in the end he didn't fulfill even 50% of his potential."

[8.0] "The von Erich is an overrated wrestling family in my eyes but Kerry was a great worker."