Chris Von Erich

Early life

The smallest and youngest of the Von Erich family at 5'5" and 175 pounds, Chris aspired to be a wrestler. He was the youngest son of wrestler and wrestling promoter Fritz Von Erich. His brothers, Mike, David, Kerry and Kevin all had success as wrestlers. Chris was raised with his brothers on 500 acres in Texas. He grew up working cameras and doing other odd jobs backstage for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He won his first amateur wrestling match at the age of six.

Professional wrestling career

Chris had minor involvement in angles in the 1980s. He performed run-ins to aid his brothers against The Fabulous Freebirds. Then Chris appeared at ringside when Kerry Von Erich won the NWA World Championship in May 1984. Chris also smashed Buddy Roberts across the back with a chair, and tackled Gino Hernandez at the Cotton Bowl in 1985 while he was trying to escape from having his hair shaved off following a tag-team loss at the hands of the Von Erichs.

Chris became a full-fledged wrestler in 1990. His last known match was a victory over Todd Overbow March 31, 1991 for World Class Wrestling Association in Davis, Oklahoma.

Personal life

Chris had several health problems that limited his success as a wrestler. In addition to asthma, his bones were so brittle from taking prednisone that they would often break while performing simple wrestling maneuvers. After the 1987 suicide of brother Mike, Chris began to experience depression and drug issues. He was also frustrated by his inability to make headway as a wrestler due to his physical build.

Death and legacy

On September 12, 1991, at about 9 P.M., Chris was found by his brother Kevin and mother outside of their family farm in Edom, suffering from a self-inflicted 9mm gunshot wound to the head. According to Kevin, Chris came to him in the middle of the night, wanting back a videocassette recorder (VCR) Kevin borrowed from him. After noticing Chris sitting alone on top of a hill, Kevin went out and talked with him, where he revealed his suicidal tendencies concerning his condition (he had broken his arm earlier that month). After Kevin pleaded with him not to harm himself, Chris reassured him he wouldn't, but after Kevin left, he shot himself in the head. He was hospitalized at the East Texas Medical Center, shortly after 10 P.M., where he died 20 minutes after arriving, at age 21. Kevin had talked to Chris earlier that day about 100–150 yards north of their home where an apparent suicide note had been left. His interment was located at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

Chris's life story was combined with his brother Mike for the movie The Iron Claw.

Awards and accomplishments

• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009) as a member of the Von Erich family

References

References

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