Ron Mullinax's Blog, page 4
November 24, 2017
The Most Terrifying Wrestling Accidents
Many might think wrestling, mainly the WWE and other professional wrestling leagues, as a means for showboating and athletic theatrics where exaggerated matches are played between extraordinary personalities. It is no more than a scripted show, elaborately done for entertainment. But although it is a show, the people acting their parts are not immune to danger. They have been constantly putting themselves at risk, and anything can go wrong inside the ring. That’s why accidents in wrestling are commonplace.
As of 2015, the National Safety Council listed 39,775 injuries in wrestling requiring treatment from hospital emergency departments. More than half of the injured were from ages fourteen to twenty-four. Although some of them are minor injuries, there are mishaps that are drastic and life-altering. Take a look at some of the most terrifying wrestling accidents in history.
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Neck Injury
In a match that would prove formative for his career, Steve Austin faced Owen Hart in Summerslam ’97. Billed to win, Austin had done everything right. Until the botched piledriver move that altered his life forever. The plan was for a tombstone piledriver, a move popularized by the Undertaker. But it led to an astounding gaffe when Hart turned his move into Hart Driver. It almost broke Austin’s neck, leaving him with temporary paralysis. Ever since, Austin has been plagued by neck injuries and constant pain that caused his early retirement in 2003. His was one of the most gruesome professional wrestling accidents.
Joey Mercury and the Ladder Match
As a member of the MNM in the tag team scene within WWE, Joey Mercury and his tag partner, Johnny Nitro, and their valet, Melina, rose to the top of the tag team ranks. The group began feuding with the Hardy Boyz. During one of their matches, a horrific accident happened. It was a four-way tag team ladder match at Armageddon in 2006. Matt Hardy had Mercury and Nitro over a ladder. Matt’s brother, Jeff, dove off the top rope, flipping the ladder into Mercury and Nitro’s faces. Nitro managed to put his hands up, but Mercury did not. The ladder crushed his face. His nose was broken in three different places. He fractured his orbital bone. In a matter of seconds, he was covered in blood, spreading to his pants and the protective mats on the floor. His wound required thirty stitches.
Owen Hart and His Fatal Stunt
One of the worst wrestling accidents took place on May 23, 1999, in Kansas, Missouri. It tragically ended the promising career of Owen Hart, one of the most decorated wrestlers who had the following titles under his belt: USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, WWF Intercontinental Championship, 1994’s King of the Ring, and the WWF World Tag Team Championship. About to face the Godfather, Owen, known as the Blue Blazer, was meant to make a dramatic entrance to the ring from the rafters. The stunt involved him having to release himself from the safety harness when was just above the ring, getting tangled in the harness in the process and falling flat on his face. But what was supposed to be an amusing move took a macabre turn. The quick release mechanism on the harness was pushed prematurely, plunging Owen seventy-eight feet from the rafters before he landed chest-first on the top of the rope and got thrown into the ring. He was rushed into the Truman Medical Center. After several attempts to revive him, Owen succumbed to his injuries. It was revealed that the cause of death was internal bleeding from blunt force trauma.
Wrestling accidents can open the viewers’ eyes to the stark reality of the game—that even though it is pre-determined, the sport is far from fake. And maybe, they will come away with renewed appreciation for the people who do something they love while putting their lives in the line.
Do you know of wrestling stories and accidents that I haven’t mentioned? Feel free to share them in the comments below. You might also want to check out my book, Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw. I am on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads if you want to discuss further.
References
What Culture. “10 Most Horrific Accidents in Wrestling History.” Accessed October 17, 2017. http://whatculture.com/wwe/10-horrific-accidents-wrestling-history.
Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Sports Injuries.” Accessed October 17, 2017. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-sports-injuries.
Turner, Gus. “The 25 Most Gruesome Injuries in Pro Wrestling History.” February 23, 2014. Accessed October 17, 2017. http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/02/gruesome-injuries-pro-wrestling/.
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November 16, 2017
The Wild, Wide World of International Wrestling
Pro wrestling has a rich and colorful history. From traveling carnival shows to small arena exhibition matches to the formation of national associations, professional wrestling has become one of the most popular spectacles shown on TV. Wrestling events are broadcasted not just in North America, but also in Europe and Asia. In fact, international wrestling is gaining more and more popularity in countries such as Japan, England, India, and China.
As American pro wrestling gains more viewers, wrestling organizations from around Europe and Asia are also starting to come out of the shadows. From the International Arm Wrestling Federation to the Asian Wrestling Federation, here are some of the most popular international wrestling organizations.
International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK)
Established in September 2004, the IPW:UK is aired on Sky Digital and shown in over 20 countries. The organization’s shows are known for fast-paced and hard-hitting action. With talents such as WWE Superstars Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan, Rhino, and many more, the IPW:UK is one of the frontrunners in the European wrestling scene.
International Arm Wrestling Federation /World Armwrestling Federation
The first World Armwrestling Championship was held in Canada in 1979. In its inauguration championship event, only four countries were represented. Today, the WAF has over 70 countries as members. Fans regularly flock armwrestling events to witness warriors strongarm their way to the championship. Many of WAF’s events are also televised, especially in Europe. Notable champions are John Brzenk, Alexey Voevoda, Magnus Samuelsson, and many more.
Singapore Pro Wrestling
From performing piledrivers in front of small, but very vocal fans to touring Southeast Asian countries, Singapore Pro Wrestling stars such as “The Eurasian Dragon” have seen how pro wrestling in Asia is slowly gaining popularity. A young organization founded in 2014, SPW is one of the leading groups that is slowly gaining ground in the combat sports market in Southeast Asia.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
One of the oldest professional wrestling organization in the Asia, if not the world, NJPW was founded at the same time that Vince McMahon, Jr. joined his father building the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. The pro wrestling promotion which is based in Japan has been cross-promoting talents from the US. Stars such as Brock Lesnar, Big Van Vader, and Bullet Club’s A.J. Styles refined their crafts and personas in NJPW before becoming superstars for WWE/WCW. These days, Japanese pro wrestling champions are making waves in WWE. The 2016 NXT champs are products of NJPW, Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka.
The pro wrestling scene is becoming more global. Are you excited to know which foreign pro wrestlers will make breakthroughs in the WWE in the coming years? Comment below, and let’s discuss how the international wrestling scene is becoming more interesting these days. Don’t forget to connect with me through Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads to ask questions about pro wrestling. You can also check my book, a tribute to my wrestling hero, Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw.
References:
IPWUK. “About.” IPWUK. Accessed on October 4, 2017. https://www.ipwuk.com/about.
Obaranje-ruke.hr. “Armwrestling – history.” Obaranje-ruke.hr. Accessed on October 4,2017. http://obaranje-ruke.hr/armwrestling-history.
Lim, Jonathan. “Singapore Pro Wrestling, a hidden gem for lovers of WWE.” Mothership. Accessed on October 4, 2017. https://mothership.sg/2015/02/singapore-pro-wrestling-a-hidden-gem-for-lovers-of-wwe.
Business Times Singapore. June 14,2016. “Ready to rumble: Asian pro wrestlers dream of stardom.” Business Times Singapore. Accessed on October 5, 2017. http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/life-culture/ready-to-rumble-asian-pro-wrestlers-dream-of-stardom.
Herzog, Kenny. June 29, 2017. “Everything You Need to Know About New Japan Pro Wrestling.” Rolling Stone. Accessed on October 5, 2017. http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/new-japan-pro-wrestling-everything-you-need-to-know-w490422.
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November 9, 2017
Sweat, Guts, and Glory: The History of Professional Wrestling
History of Professional Wrestling
Professional wrestling historians point out that the sport we know today can trace its roots in France during the 1830s. It started as circus sideshows where strongmen challenged members from the audience to take them down to the mat. Famous strongmen during those times were Edward the Steel Eater and Gustave d’Avignon the Bone Wrecker. Their stunts proved to be very popular with the audiences that, ten years or so after these shows started, wrestling became headliners for circus shows and even all-wrestling troupes represented by Jean Exbrayat started touring in 1848. Exbrayat and his troupe developed techniques that became known as Greco-Roman wrestling in Europe.
However, the professional wrestling that we know and love today developed and formed by the twentieth century. Performers started challenging in time-limited grappling matches. As Greco-Roman wrestling spread in popularity in Europe, then-champion Georg Hackenschmidt traveled to the United Kingdom to fight and demonstrate the new sport.
Professional Wrestling in America
American professional wrestling is said to have started in the 1860s. Just like in Europe, wrestlers started as strongmen in circuses. As their grappling acts became more popular, they started competing in staged wrestling matches against each other. To hype the shows, wrestlers dressed in elaborate costumes and adopted fake names and invented fake background stories for their characters. Pro wrestling waned during the 1910s because audiences started complaining that the matches were all fake or staged. Regardless whether professional wrestling is real or fake, it cannot be denied that wrestlers were athletes. And, today, professional wrestling is considered a multibillion-dollar industry.
How to Become a Pro Wrestler
Fan of pro wrestling? If you want to know how to get into professional wrestling, then read on and be informed. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) only recruits wrestlers from college wrestling programs or other athletics program such as college football. If you have no experience in those programs, you should start joining independent promotions such as Ring of Honor, Dragonforce, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Global Force Wrestling, and others. Get your reps in with these promotions and climb the rank.
Because independent promotions pay less and shows are regional, it would be your best interest to hit the road and join as many shows and promotions as you can. During these shows, you must work hard to market yourself. Make your own merchandise and sell it to your fans. Create highlight reels of your fights and upload them to social media. Your next step would be to try out for the WWE or other major wrestling promotions. Visit the WWE website and look for the Careers page. The promotion posts job vacancies for production, writing, and, sometimes, for talent. If you are lucky enough, you will be sent to NXT where new wrestlers are trained. Make sure to separate yourself from the crowd and shine. Remember, pro wrestling is not only a sport; it is also an entertainment business. They need someone who will stand out and shine to become the next wrestling superstar!
Pro wrestling has come a long way. Today, there are many pro wrestling organizations from around the world that put up televised and live shows. Where do you see professional wrestling years from now? Do you think this spectacle will continue to be popular in the coming years? Comment below and share your thoughts on pro wrestling with me on my social media sites. Don’t hesitate to send me a message or visit my Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads pages. You can also check out my book about my favorite pro wrestler—Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw.
References
Graceffo, Antonio. T. R. 2014. “The Historical Development of Western Wrestling – An Overview (Antonio Graceffo).” Wrestling Roots, October 12. Accessed October 16, 2017. http://wrestlingroots.org/the-historical-development-of-western-wrestling-an-overview-antonio-graceffo/.
Wrestlezone. n.d. “The Most Important Events in the History of Professional Wrestling.” Wrestlezone. Accessed October 16, 2017. http://www.wrestlezone.com/editorials/777139-history-of-professional-wrestling-events.
Marsfelder, Josh. June 2014. “Advent of the Angels: An Introduction to the History of Professional Wrestling.” Eruditorum Press. Accessed October 16, 2017. http://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/advent-of-the-angels-an-introduction-to-the-history-of-professional-wrestling/.
Frierson, William. 2014. “You Want to Be a Pro Wrestler? Here’s How to Start Your Career in Professional Wrestling.” College Recruiter, August 19. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2014/08/19/want-pro-wrestler-heres-start-career-professional-wrestling/.
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November 2, 2017
Aquathlon: An Aquatic Spin on the Wrestling You Know
Wrestling is considered one of the oldest sports, but it grew in popularity during the nineteenth century with Greco-Roman wrestling being a celebrated spectacle in Europe. Not long after that, freestyle wrestling and collegiate wrestling quickly spread in Great Britain and the United States respectively. By the turn of the twentieth century, it became a widely accepted form of entertainment, giving birth to professional wrestling in 1920.
By the 1950s, wrestling gained a loyal following in some parts of Canada and the United States. It was in 1953 when the name Von Erich would first debut in wrestling and become known in every household. Trained by Stu Hart, Jack Adkisson, a.k.a. Fritz Von Erich, teamed up with Waldo Von Erich as the Evil German Brothers under Klondike Wrestling promotion. Jack’s career skyrocketed, helping rebuild Japanese wrestling and becoming a star for his “Iron Claw” hold, which became one of the most popular wrestling moves in Japan. Even after Jack’s death in 1997, his sons continued the Von Erich wrestling dynasty and helped push wrestling forward, becoming more than just a show.
And indeed wrestling became more than just a sport or a form of entertainment; it became a culture, providing people like Igor Ostrovsky a chance to reinvent it. And thus, Aquathlon (Underwater Wrestling) was created in Russia during the 1980s. Aquathlon is an underwater sport where two opponents wrestle underwater to remove a ribbon from each other’s ankles. Each of the competitors wears a swimsuit, a diving mask, rubber fins, a water polo cap (red for one and yellow for the other), and two ankle bands. One match is made up of three thirty-second rounds inside a five-meter-square ring in a swimming pool marked by floating ropes, matching each side’s color. It was officially acknowledged by the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) as a sport in 2008.
Aquathlon’s close-combat style originated from special underwater forces training. Students simply imitate grappling moves and practice them with trained instructors. Aquathlon is not only used as special forces training but also lifeguard training. People who are drowning can pose a real threat to lifeguards as they may drag both of them down. Aquathlon training programs can aid lifeguards to anticipate such attempts and control the victim’s movements.
The sport is as also popular with women and kids as young as the age of seven. Aquathlon wrestlers are ranked from frog, little fish, fish, dolphins, and, finally, shark. The Aquathlon World Championships is held on November 17–20, 2017 in Klaipėda, Lithuania, on the Baltic Sea coast.
Wrestling paved the way for new sports to develop. What do you think about Aquathlon? Comment below or tweet me @RonGMullinax. To learn more about Fritz Von Erich’s unbelievable story, read my book, Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw available at Litfire Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Goodreads.
References
Spong, John. 2005. “Six Brothers.” The Von Erichs. Accessed October 12, 2017. https://www.vonerich.com/.
Bradshaw, Luke. 2017. “Aquathlon: When Wrestling Goes Underwater.” The Culture Trip, June 15. Accessed October 12, 2017. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ukraine/articles/aquathlon-when-wrestling-goes-underwater/.
CMAS. 2017. “Aquathlon World Cup.” Last modified September 19. Accessed October 12, 2017. http://www.cmas.org/aquathlon/aquathlon-world-cup-17-20/11/2017-klaipeda-lithuania.
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October 26, 2017
The Many Disciplines in International Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. A combat sport that makes use of grappling, clinching, fighting, throwing, takedowns, joint locks, and pinning techniques, wrestling is a sport that can be competitive (MMA, Olympic wrestling) or for theatrical entertainment (pro wrestling). Pro wrestling promotions such as International Wrestling Alliance, International Wrestling Association, and the and the famed WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) have many detractors; yet followers can’t deny that pro wrestling has made the sport popular and profitable for athletes nowadays.
Whether for entertainment or competition, wrestling is still a physically demanding sport. There are many disciplines with varied rules of the sport. International wrestling rules are set by FILA and United Word Wrestling (UWW). Here are some of the most popular international wrestling styles as defined by the UWW.
Olympic Styles
Greco-Roman. In this discipline, wrestlers are forbidden to attack or hold below the belt of their opponents. This include tripping and actively using legs to do any action. Greco-Roman wrestling gives more emphasis on high throws and pinning opponents to the mat to win the match.
Freestyle. Also, an Olympic sport, this wrestling discipline is divided into men’s and women’s division. Unlike Greco-Roman, this discipline allows wrestlers to use their legs for both offense and defense. Wrestlers score points by throwing or pinning their opponents. American scholastic and collegiate wrestling is based on freestyle but with some different rules.
Associated Styles
Grappling. Grappling is a style that combines techniques from different combat sports such as sambo, judo, catch wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, freestyle wrestling, and more. This wrestling discipline focuses more on taking down opponents, controlling them on the ground, and forcing them to submit through chokes and joint locks.
Pankration. The only martial art that can trace its origin from the 648 BC Olympic Games, the modern version of this wrestling discipline is like mixed martial arts but without strikes to the head. The rules for pankration for both men’s and women’s divisions are similar.
Beach wrestling. One of the newest wrestling disciplines to be codified (20014) by the international wrestling federation, beach wrestling uses various techniques from different disciplines but is played in a seven-meter-diameter circle of sand. Wrestlers earn points by bringing opponents to the ground, pushing opponents outside the circle, and exposing opponents’ shoulders to the ground during takedowns.
Professional Wrestling
Pro wrestling, although not under FILA or WWU, is traditionally based on catch wrestling and freestyle wrestling. However, unlike competitive wrestling tournaments, pro wrestling follows dramatic and highly theatrical storylines. This doesn’t mean that pro wrestlers have it easy. In fact, pro wrestlers mostly come from competitive wrestling backgrounds.
Such stars include WWE’s Kurt Angle who won gold medals as a freestyle wrestler at the 1995 World Wrestling Championships and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Which wrestling discipline do you think is better suited for MMA or for pro wrestling? Let’s discuss each discipline’s strengths and weaknesses. Talk with me on social media on my Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads pages. Don’t forget to check out my book, Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw, to learn about the famous Von Erich wrestling dynasty.
References
Grabianowski, Ed. 2006. “How Pro Wrestling Works.” How Stuff Works, January 13. Accessed October 12, 2017. http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/pro-wrestling.htm#.
United World Wrestling. n.d. “Disciplines.” United World Wrestling. Accessed October 12, 2017. https://unitedworldwrestling.org/disciplines.
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Professional Wrestling Moves
The history of wrestling in the United States dates back to the late 1860s, during the post–Civil War period. It was the major physical contact sport in the country, since boxing did not become popular until the end of nineteenth century. In 1968, the United States Wrestling Federation was founded, and the sports federation has grown ever since. Every century has a certain star wrestler, known by their specific signature moves. Fritz Von Erich was known for his Iron Claw, Hulk Hogan for his finishing Leg Drop, The Rock for his People’s Elbow, and Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter are some of the most popular in the history of professional wrestling. Here is a list of some of the best and show-stopping wrestling moves in the country:
The Claw
Defined by the World Wrestling Entertainment as “a cranial-crushing finishing move that may not look as punishing as it actually is, but in the right hand, is a maneuver from which there is almost no escape.” The wrestling move is done by grabbing one’s opponent by the head and squeezing the skull like a “stress ball.” It was popularized by Fritz Von Erich, the first person known to have perfected the move. It was his son, Kerry “The Texas Tornado” Von Erich, who added inimitable style to the move that made the spotlight in the 1990 Intercontinental Championship SummerSlam.
Single-Leg Takedown
A basic wrestling move, the single-leg takedown, is a move that every wrestler should learn. It is done by attacking the closest leg of the opponent. After shooting and locking, one must dive one’s head into the opponent’s chest while lifting one’s hands. The intent is to make the opponent stand on one leg so it becomes easier to trip him or get him off balance.
Leg Drop
Dubbed as the “Hogan Leg Drop,” a powerful finisher and best wrestling move of all time was popularized by the WWE superstar Hulk Hogan. This move is considered one of the hardest finishing moves in wrestling history. And when Hogan uses this wrestling move as his finisher, almost no opponent can escape unscathed.
Other unforgettable wrestling moves include the Rock Bottom which was popularized by The Rock; the RKO, which is a modified version of the cutter, popularized by Randy Orton; the Movie Knee Pads popularized by Daniel Bryan; and the Frog Splash, popularized by Rob Van Dam among others.
If you would like to read more about wrestling, please check out my book Fritz Von Erich: Master of Iron Claw. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads for more updates. Looking forward to getting in touch with you.
References:
Pumar-Paez, Luis. “The 15 Hardest Finishing Moves in Wrestling History.” Complex. Accessed September 27, 2017. http://www.complex.com/sports/2015/06/the-15-hardest-finishing-moves-in-wrestling-history/.
WWE. “The Fearsome History of The Claw.” World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Accessed September 27, 2017. http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-05-14/history-of-the-claw/page-2.
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October 12, 2017
Living in the Shadows: Life of Mike Von Erich
The Von Erich family had to go through a lot of tragic events and they have come to be known as the wrestling world’s cursed family. One unfortunate event was Mike Von Erich’s death.
Mike was born as Michael Brett Adkisson and was a professional wrestler along with his four other brothers, David, Kevin, Kerry, and Chris. Michael was one of the sons of the longtime wrestler, Fritz Von Erich. When he became a pro wrestler, he went under the name of Mike Von Erich.
Michael did not initially want to become a pro wrestler as disclosed by those he was closely associated with. He wasn’t as athletic as his brothers. Instead of becoming a wrestler, Michael wanted to be a cameraman and work for his father’s company, the World Class Championship Wrestling. Not only that, he could play the guitar and had hopes of becoming a musician. This was something different from the career that the rest of his family took. However, he finally caved into the pressure.
On the 24th of November 1983, Mike Von Erich made his debut in the wrestling scene. Even though Michael bore the Von Erich surname, he just did not have the same popularity as his brothers David, Kerry, and Kevin when they first started pro wrestling. This did not come as a surprise because he did not show as much enthusiasm for wrestling anyway.
However, an event that forever changed his life happened on the 22nd of August 1985. Michael was on a tour in Israel with Kevin, his brother, when he sustained shoulder injuries. He had a surgery at Brookhaven Hospital in Dallas and came out fine. After four days, however, he was brought to the hospital again. This time, it was to Baylor University Medical Center. Michael had a high fever with his temperature reaching 107°F or 42 °C. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with a toxic shock syndrome.
Though Michael was able to return to the ring after his injury, his friends had noted that he was never the same. His brother Kevin also said that Michael felt the pressure to live up to the expectations of becoming David, his older brother, whom he closely resembled. David Von Erich passed away three years prior in Japan and was considered as the breakout star of the Von Erich family. Because of this, Michael was pressured to achieve the same popularity as his brother.
Michael’s life and career ended on such a woeful note. But what was the cause of death? On the 12th of April 1987, he overdosed on Placidyl, a medication for insomnia. Mike Von Erich’s suicide note was only discovered four days after they found his body, which was on the 16th of April 1987 in Lake Dallas, Texas.
Living under the shadows of his more popular father and brothers, it was no wonder that Mike Von Erich collapsed under pressure and took his life. Not only did he suffer from the pressures of the wrestling world, but he also sustained injuries that may have further demoralized him, making him see suicide as the only way out.
If you would like to read more about the Von Erich family, please check out my book Fritz Von Erich: Master of Iron Claw. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads for more updates. Looking forward to getting in touch with you.
References
Wrestler Deaths. n.d. “Mike Von Erich Death—Suicide”. N.d. Accessed August 28, 2017. https://wrestlerdeaths.com/mike-von-erich-death/.
Wrestling With Death. 2011. “Mike Von Erich Battles With Toxic Shock Syndrome”. October 15. Accessed August 28, 2017. http://wrestlingwithdeath.blogspot.com/2011/10/mike-von-erich-battles-toxic-shock.html.
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September 28, 2017
Lacey Von Erich: The Texas Tornado’s Daughter
Photo from StarEnerg | Wikimedia Commons
Some call it a world-class tragedy while others just call it a sad family story. However, nobody can deny that the Von Erich family is one of the greatest and most powerful wrestling families in history despite the unspeakable pains its members had gone through.
The Von Erich dynasty started with its patriarch Fritz Von Erich. He had six sons who carried his professional wrestling legacy. One of his sons, Kerry Von Erich, had a daughter who later became known as the first third-generation Von Erich to enter the pro-wrestling scene—Total Nonstop Action or TNA’s Lacey Von Erich.
So who is Lacey Von Erich?
Lacey Dawn Adkisson was born in Dallas, Texas on July 17, 1986, to pro-wrestling icon Kerry Von Erich and Catherine Murray. Coming from a family of professional wrestlers, Lacey had been exposed to the world of wrestling at a very young age. She even mentioned once in an interview that the scent of Bengay and seeing wrestlers tape up their wrists reminded her of being in the locker room back at Sportatorium in Dallas.
Her childhood was rather a painful part of her life as she was only six years old when her father committed suicide in their family farm in Denton County, Texas. However, losing her father did not stop Lacey from bringing third-generation Von Erich blood back to the ring. In August 2007, Lacey changed her name to Lacey Von Erich and joined World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)’s then primary developmental territory—Florida Championship Wrestling. Two months later, Lacey Von Erich made her debut against Nattie Neidhart but unfortunately lost.
Lacey’s stay with WWE had been brief as she was a 20-year-old single mother who had to balance her time between training and taking care of her baby. When she was released from her contract in late 2007, she moved to California to be with her boyfriend Grant, who later became her husband.
Lacey then became a staple on the independent circuit where she got better control of her schedule. She won a few matches during her appearances at Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU), South West Wrestling Alliance (SWWA), Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW), and Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR). In July 2009, she competed at Windy City Pro Wrestling (WCPW) and snatched the WCPW Ladies Championship.
After working the independent circuit, Lacey joined Jimmy Hart’s Wrestlicious where she rounded up a few victories. One of the most notable was winning a submission match with Alexandra the Great where she locked Brooke Lynne in the Lacey Von Erich claw, forcing Brooke to throw in the towel.
Lacey’s pro-wrestling career’s defining moment had been her signing up with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) in October 2009, where she later made a name for herself as one of The Beautiful People. She became TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion along with The Beautiful People’s other members, Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne. They lost the title later to Hamada and Taylor Wilde. A few days after the defeat, Lacey sustained a broken cheekbone while mediating in an altercation between her teammates. She decided to retire a year later.
The pro-wrestling arena had been too much for Lacey at one point with all the wrestling politics and being on the road all the time. Carrying her family’s tragedy in her blood had not made the journey easy for her. As she stated in one interview, the wrestling world can either shape you to become a better person or make you self-medicate to cope. Lacey indeed got through all of it, making her stronger and better unlike the rest of her family. She showed the world that not everyone in the Von Erich bloodline is destined for the same doom.
Lacey is now divorced and runs her own advertising firm in Southern California. She is also a proud mother of three and head of the local PTA for a school district in the Los Angeles area.
Let me know what you think about Lacey’s life by leaving comments below. To learn more about wrestling’s Von Erich dynasty, go ahead and check out my book, Fritz Von Erich: Master of Iron Claw. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads for more info and updates.
References
Barnett, Josh. 2017. “Being Von Erich: Kerry’s daughter Lacey on his death, her wrestling career and being a mom.” USA Today: For the Win. Accessed August 30, 2017. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/02/lacey-von-erich-kerry-wrestling.
Paglino, Nick. 2014. “Former Knockout Lacey Von Erich Talks Locker Room Abuse/Demons, Remembers Her Father, Talks Ultimate Warrior.” Wrestle Zone. Accessed August 30, 2017. http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/469759-lacey-von-erich-talks-locker-room-abuse.
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September 21, 2017
Kerry Von Erich: The Texas Tornado’s “Secret”
Another legendary warrior was taken away from the Von Erich family in 1986. The death of Kerry Von Erich was a sorrowful moment for the family and for the whole world. The incident was made more tragic when he had a secret to keep that turned his life upside down and pushed him, ultimately, to his death.
Kerry Von Adkisson, famously known as Kerry Von Erich, the Texas Tornado and Modern Day Warrior, was a member of the Von Erich professional wrestlers family. His debut started when his father, Fritz Von Erich, became well-known in the wrestling world. Kerry himself became popular when he was in Texas’ World Class Championship Wrestling.
Kerry Von Erich, together with his brother David, defeated the Fabulous Freebirds for their second National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Everything went smoothly for Kerry’s career until he got into a motorcycle crash that nearly killed him.
It was on June 4, 1986, when Kerry was cruising across Texas without a helmet. He was driving fast when he hit a police car and crashed into the pavement. He suffered several injuries which included a dislocated hip and a badly damaged right leg. He was lucky enough to survive the crash.
However, to save his virtually damaged leg, doctors needed to remove muscles from his other body parts. Six months after Kerry Von Erich’s motorcycle accident, he returned to the wrestling scene. He took a lot of medications to get back on track. His match against Brian Adias didn’t last long, though. His right foot was not ready for the dangerous match and was injured again. Eventually, his foot had to be amputated. However, that didn’t stop the Texas Tornado, Kerry Von Erich from climbing back into the ring with his prosthetic foot.
His father, Fritz Von Erich, asked the doctors and the staff involved with Kerry’s operation to keep his son’s amputated foot a secret. He also made his family swear not to reveal the secret to anyone. This secret remained unknown to all until November 12, 1988.
During Kerry’s match with Colonel DeBeers, DeBeers unknowingly pulled Kerry by his right foot. When Kerry’s boot came off, it revealed his amputated foot. This revelation spread like wildfire, but Kerry kept on denying the incident.
Shortly after, Kerry got addicted to drugs because of his medication. He was found disobeying the law several times. He got divorced, and the next big news after that was his suicide. After his death, his father finally admitted the truth about Kerry’s amputated foot.
Kerry’s secret had revealed a lot about his struggles as a pro-wrestler. Though things didn’t end well for him, he will forever leave a mark in the wrestling world.
If you want to know more about the Von Erich family, you can check out my book, Fritz Von Erich: Master of Iron Claw, and leave your thoughts on the comments section below. You are also welcome to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
References
Damage, Brian. “A Moment in Time: Kerry Von Erich’s “Secret” is Exposed.” Ring the Damn Bell, March 28. Accessed August 26, 2017. https://ringthedamnbell.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/a-moment-in-time-kerry-von-erichs-secret-is-exposed/.
LeBlanc, M.A. “Kerry Von Erich.” Online World of Wrestling, February 10. Accessed August 29, 2017. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/k/kerry-von-erich/.
The post Kerry Von Erich: The Texas Tornado’s “Secret” appeared first on Ron Mullinax.
September 14, 2017
Fritz Von Erich: His Iron Claw and His Tragedy
Fritz Von Erich Master of the Iron Claw is a man holding three names, two of which are known in pro-wrestling. Von Erich is a family name that holds a dynasty in world of wrestling but keeps a personal tragedy that visits their home.
Fritz Von Erich, born on the 16th day of August of the year 1929 in Leon County, Texas, was a pro-wrestler and a promoter. Aside from his moves using his Iron Claw, he was a star in talk shows because of his family’s story. Fritz von Erich triumph and tragedy go together. You can’t talk of one without mentioning the other.
He had six children, the last-living Von Erich son, Kevin, and the other five were named Jack Jr., David, Mike, Chris, and Kerry. All of them played a huge part of the wrestler’s personal tragedy. This tragedy began in 1959 when Jack Jr. died of electrocution. In 1984, his son David died due to an intestinal ailment. Three years later, Mike was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome. He committed suicide and died of a gunshot to the head in 1991. Three years later, in 1993, his fourth eldest son, Kerry, also committed suicide with a gun. In addition to the drama, Fritz and his wife, Doris, got divorced after forty-two years of marriage. To top it all, Fritz Von Erich Master of the Iron Claw was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in June 1997.
All of these tragedies happened at the prime of his career. He worked as a promoter, pro-wrestler, and investor. He won several championships including the NWA International Tag Team and World Heavyweight Championship. Despite all the illnesses and deaths that surrounded him and his family, he continued his career. That’s when he became many people’s lifelong hero.
Author Ron G. Mullinax met Fritz von Erich wrestler through his son, Kevin. Since they had much in common, they swiftly became friends. When Mullinax learned that Fritz had cancer, he moved into his home and took care of him. Writing his biography was an honor which he genuinely offered to the writer. He accepted the task wholeheartedly because he wanted people to know that behind the strong body was also a strong heart able to withstand all the tragedies of life.
No matter how famous and talented Fritz Von Erich got, he was not able to escape the cold clutches of life. However, his name will forever remain in the world of pro-wrestling. Personally, I think he should be remembered as a person who faced tragedy in the face and fought back. In the end, he lost, but his will lived on.
Curious to know more about the life of the Master of the Iron Claw? Purchase the book Fritz Von Erich: Master of Iron Claw available in paperback and e-book. Check out my website and follow me in Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
References
“Review: Fritz Von Erich: Master of the Iron Claw By Ron G. Mullinax” Wrestle Book Review, February 11. Accessed August 31, 2017. http://www.wrestlebookreview.com/2017/02/wrestling-book-reviewmullinaxfritzvonerichmasteroftheironclaw.html
“The Von Erichs: Bio” WWE. Accessed August 31, 2017. www.wwe.com/superstars/vonerichs
The post Fritz Von Erich: His Iron Claw and His Tragedy appeared first on Ron Mullinax.
