Kevin Von Erich, the former professional wrestler and member of the legendary Von Erich family, is still alive and well at the age of 66.
He is the only surviving brother of the six Von Erich siblings, who were all involved in the wrestling business and faced tragic deaths. Kevin currently lives in Hawaii with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and occasionally makes public appearances to support his sons, who are also wrestlers.
A successful and tragic wrestling career
Kevin Von Erich, whose real surname is Adkisson, was born on May 15, 1957, in Belleville, Illinois. He started wrestling as Kevin Von Erich in 1976, following the footsteps of his father, Fritz Von Erich, who was a famous wrestler and promoter.
He spent most of his career wrestling for his father’s promotion, World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), based in Texas. He was one of the promotion’s biggest stars, along with his brothers David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris. He was known for his athletic ability, good looks, and barefoot wrestling style.
Kevin achieved great success in WCCW, both as a singles and tag team wrestler. He won several championships, including the NWA American Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship, and the WCWA World Tag Team Championship.
He also participated in many of the promotion’s high-profile feuds, such as the one with the Fabulous Freebirds, which culminated in a historic steel cage match at the Texas Stadium in 1984.
However, Kevin’s wrestling career was also overshadowed by the tragedies that befell his family. His oldest brother, Jack Jr., died in 1959 at the age of six, after being accidentally electrocuted. His second oldest brother, David, died in 1984 at the age of 25, while on a tour in Japan, due to acute enteritis. His third oldest brother, Kerry, died in 1993 at the age of 33, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, after being indicted for drug possession.
His fourth oldest brother, Mike, died in 1987 at the age of 23, from an overdose of tranquilizers, after suffering from depression and health problems. His youngest brother, Chris, died in 1991 at the age of 21, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, after being frustrated by his lack of success in wrestling and his physical limitations.
Kevin was the only brother who survived the so-called Von Erich curse, but he also had to deal with the deaths of his father, who died in 1997 from lung cancer, and his mother, who died in 2004 from Alzheimer’s disease. He also faced financial and legal troubles, as WCCW went out of business in 1990 and he was sued by several former wrestlers for unpaid royalties.
A peaceful and supportive retirement
Kevin retired from wrestling in 1995, after a brief stint in the Global Wrestling Federation. He moved from Texas to Hawaii with his wife, Pam, and their four children, Jill, Kristen, Ross, and Marshall.
He chose to live a quiet and simple life, away from the spotlight and the wrestling industry. He focused on his family and his faith, and enjoyed the natural beauty of his surroundings.
However, Kevin did not completely cut ties with wrestling. He occasionally made public appearances, such as when he represented his family at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2009, or when he attended the premiere of The Iron Claw, a biopic about his family, starring Zac Efron as him, in 2023.
He also supported his sons, Ross and Marshall, who followed his footsteps and became professional wrestlers. He trained them and accompanied them to some of their matches, such as when they debuted in Israel in 2017, or when they won the MLW World Tag Team Championship in 2019.
Kevin also shared his stories and memories with his fans, through interviews, podcasts, and social media. He expressed his gratitude for his life and his family, and his hope for the future. He also spoke about his brothers and his parents, and how he coped with their losses.
He said that he did not blame wrestling for his family’s tragedies, but rather saw it as a blessing that brought them joy and fame. He also said that he did not dwell on the past, but rather looked forward to seeing his loved ones again in heaven.
Conclusion
Kevin Von Erich is a remarkable man who has overcome many hardships and challenges in his life. He is a legend in the wrestling world, who entertained and inspired millions of fans with his skills and charisma.
He is also a loving father, grandfather, husband, and friend, who cherishes his family and his faith. He is the last surviving member of the Von Erich family, but he is not alone. He has his sons, who carry on his legacy, and his fans, who support him and remember him. He is Kevin Von Erich, and he is alive and well.