Mike Von Erich

Early life

Mike had five brothers: David, Kerry, Kevin, Jack and Chris.

Professional wrestling career

World Class Championship Wrestling (1983–1987)

Mike made his debut on November 24, 1983, winning a match against Skandor Akbar during "WCCW Wrestling Star Wars" at the Reunion Arena. He was then involved in several encounters with The Freebirds. Von Erich and Michael Hayes brawled on October 17, 1983, in Ft. Worth, after Hayes ripped a jacket given to Mike by his brother Kerry. Mike teamed up with his brother Kevin against Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts on December 25, 1983. The only time Mike ever teamed up with his brother David was in January 1984 when, along with Kerry, they battled the Freebirds. Mike took David's place teaming with Kerry after David's death in February 1984.

WCCW tried to give Mike a feud of his own against Brian Adias in October 1986, since Kerry was out of wrestling with an ankle injury. Mike and Adias were to battle in a match at Parade of Champions on May 3, 1987, but Mike died on April 12 of that year. His final match took place at the Sportatorium on April 3, 1987, against Mike Williams.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1987)

While wrestling for World Class, Mike ventured to Japan for the first and only time in his career, to wrestle for New Japan Pro-Wrestling in January 1987, during their New Year Dash series tour. Even though he didn't wrestle for very long on that tour, Mike had a strong encounter with then IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Shiro Koshinaka, facing him on January 3, in a losing effort. He also teamed with fellow foreigners such as Tony St. Clair, Black Bart, Konga The Barbarian and The Cuban Assassin against the likes of Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Osamu Kido and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. However, he also enjoyed some success in it, scoring victories against veteran Kantaro Hoshino, young lion Shunji Kosugi and South Korean wrestler Kim Su Hong. After wrestling for 10 days in their tour, Mike returned home to America.

Personal life

Mike was married on February 14, 1985, to Shani Danette Garza. Mike and Shani divorced later that same year. He was a born-again Christian.

He underwent shoulder surgery on August 22, 1985, due to an injury suffered during a wrestling tour of Israel. He was released from the hospital but later he developed a fever of 107 F.

In 1986, he suffered head injuries from a car accident in which his vehicle overturned after he lost control. In addition, Kevin cited an incident in which Mike attacked a streetlight in frustration over his current condition. Kevin once said that Mike also suffered from the pressure of having to "be David" after his brother's death. Since the beginning of his career, Mike felt pressure to succeed on the same level as his brothers.

Death and legacy

On April 12, 1987, Mike left a suicide note for his family, then went to Lewisville Lake (originally known as Lake Dallas), where he drank alcohol and overdosed on the sleeping aid Placidyl. A few days before his death, Mike had been arrested for DUI and marijuana possession. His body was found four days later and buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

Starting in 2001, Von Erich was part of the video game Legends of Wrestling series, first appearing in Legends of Wrestling as an unlockable character and in Legends of Wrestling II (2002).

In 2009, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame along with his family. He was inducted by Freebird Michael Hayes. It was accepted by his surviving brother Kevin.

In 2019, Mike's story was covered as part of the Dark Side of the Ring episode on the Von Erichs.

The 2023 film The Iron Claw depicts the Von Erich family story, with Mike (whose story was fused with brother Chris's) being played by Stanley Simons.

Championships and accomplishments

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1985)
  • PWI Rookie of the Year (1984)
  • PWI ranked him #288 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003
  • PWI ranked him #23 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with David, Kevin, and Kerry Von Erich in 2003
• World Class Championship Wrestling
  • NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (4 times) – with Kerry and Kevin Von Erich (3), Kevin and Lance Von Erich (1)
  • WCCW Middle Eastern Championship (1 time)
• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Feud of the Year (1983, 1984) with Kerry and Kevin Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds
  • Match of the Year (1984) with Kerry Von Erich and Kevin Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds in an Anything Goes match on July 4
  • Worst Wrestler (1986)

References

References

1. "Mike Von Erich Online World of Wrestling".
2. says, Claudia Bacon-Tonihka. (2017-10-13). "Living in the Shadows: Life of Mike Von Erich".
3. "Texas Marriages".
4. Hollandsworth, Skip. (February 1988). "The Fall of the House of Von Erich (February 1988)". D Magazine.
5. (August 30, 1985). "Mike Adkisson, 21, Critical After Surgery : Wrestler Has Toxic Shock Syndrome". Los Angeles Times.
6. "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive.
7. "PWI 500 of the PWI Years". Willy Wrestlefest.
8. Royal Duncan & Gary Will. (2000). "Wrestling Title Histories". Archeus Communications.
9. "NWA United States Heavyweight Title (1967-1968/05) - American Heavyweight Title (1968/05-1986/02)". Wrestling-Titles.
10. (December 25, 1982). "Christmas Star Wars 1982". Pro Wrestling History.
11. Royal Duncan & Gary Will. (2006). "Wrestling Title Histories". Archeus Communications.
12. Royal Duncan & Gary Will. (2000). "Wrestling Title Histories". Archeus Communications.