'Cursed?'
That would be the question on your lips if you were knowledgeable of the history World Class Championship Wrestling. The WWE has recently released a DVD chronicling the story of WCCW in The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling.
WCCW was the wrestling promotion owned and ran in the Texas territory by Jack Adkisson also known as Fritz Von Erich.
Von Erich played the role of a German Nazi in a time when America and the rest of the World were getting over World War II. The stage-name stuck with him for the rest of his life and by the late 70's and early eighties he had a dynasty of sons ready to become stars in the wrestling industry.
With the help of their father, the Von Erich Brothers became local heroes in and around Texas. Their popularity wouldn't end there, though. They were well-known around the world because of stories about them making the pages of wrestling publications.
There were six sons born to Doris and Jack Adkisson. Jack Jr died as an infant when he was electrocuted and drowned in a puddle.
In 1984, David Von Erich was found dead in his hotel room in Japan. The DVD explains that there was controversy over the cause of death. The doctor's report states that he died of acute enteritis although there has been countless stories circulating that he had died of a drug overdose. Ric Flair claims, in his autobiography, that when David's body was found a few wrestlers got rid of the drugs from the hotel room to protect the industry.
As David was well-liked by the people of Texas it came as no surprise that the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions event held in his memory was a sold out show. The main event featured Kerry Von Erich winning the NWA World title from Ric Flair in dedication to his brother.
David's death wasn't the end of the tragedy. By 1993, after WCCW had bitten the dust, Kevin Von Erich was the surviving sibling.
Mike took an overdose in 1987 after he failed to return to the best of his ability following toxic shock syndrome after an operation when he injured himself while on a tour of Israel.
Chris Von Erich was the youngest of the Von Erichs. He didn't have the skills of his brothers due to troubles with asthma and became depressed that he couldn't became a star like the other people in his family. He shot himself dead in the Summer of 1991 at the age of just twenty-one.
Kerry Von Erich also shot himself. He did so in 1993 after he was caught with drugs whilst already on probation. The most famous of the Von Erich brothers couldn't handle the threat of going to prison so went to his Father's ranch and put a bullet in his heart.
Kevin is interviewed throughout the documentary.
The thing I took away from this DVD is that it seems the triumph and tragedy often walked hand-in-hand. The best example I can use to highlight this is with David's death bringing in the people for the memorial show a few months later. In a sick way of thinking, the death brought in the money.
The most tragic thing that also stands out from me is the fact that these boys may have been pushed too hard by their father. They evidently felt the most comfort when they were inside the wrestling ring and struggled with their lives outside of it. It reminds me of that character in the Shawshank Redemption who failed to make it on the outside once he was released.
It wasn't just the Von Erich's that were part of the tragic story of WCCW. There are many more wrestlers that have died that were part of the company during its peak.
The best answer given as to whether there was a curse on the company was made by Triple H when he comments that the story of the WCCW should be regarded as an infomercial about the dangers of doing drugs and not of it being cursed.
It's certainly a tragic story nonetheless.
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