I was in Texas Stadium June 1982 for Star Wars wrestling. It was amazing how many people were there. When the Von Erich entourage strolled in people were going crazy especially women. Way beyond anything I've ever seen since!
As for Jarrett's comment that the von Erichs were not businessmen, the late David was. David wanted the WCCW to go independent way back in 1983 because that was the time that Vince McMahon withdrew the WWF from the NWA and David was aware of what Vinnie was planning to do. At that time, WCCW was arguably the most successful promotion in the business and perhaps could have challenged McMahon for wrestling supremacy. But Fritz was determined to remain loyal to the status quo and didn't want to violate the territorial system in place at that time. David died a year later and the rest, as they say, is history.
@Sonny Jim indeed! DVE was a shrewd business man. He understood the wrestling business like no other and had he made it back from Tokyo, history would have been different.
Vince was playing 4d chess when the rest were playing checkers. Not 1 promoter would've done what Vince did, because Vince saw that the wrestling was a small part of it. Like cute girls who wear NFL jerseys and pretend they're into football and not the spectacle of it all. The merchandise, branding, movies, pay per view ( Vince wanted streaming but it wasn't invented yet). Verne, Fritz, Crockett never had a chance. Only because Ted Turner decided a billion dollars meant nothing to him was the WCW able to act like competition. Jerry Jarrett saw the big picture, which is why Vince kept him close.
Fascinating! Growing up in Fort Worth watching wrestling from the late 60s up until going in the military I lost contact with most of what was going on after 1982. In 1985 WCCW shows up on channel 40 in Tucson so I reconnected a little but missed all the bad stuff really.
I lived in Oklahoma City in the late 80s, a wrestling desert after Watts sold UWF to Crockett, and CWA had just started appearing on a cable sports network the year before. I was kind of excited about it, because I finally got to see all these great Memphis wrestlers I only read about in the wrestling magazines. At the same time, World Class had started running matches in Oklahoma after UWF vacated, so when the Von Erichs merged with Jarrett to form USWA, that was the most exciting time for me as a wrestling fan, because now I was able to see Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett, and not just on TV, but now live, and that was probably the first time any of them had ever been in our city
Every one I've ever talked to that lived in Texas says the von Erich's could have a dynasty but they partied it away it's real sad because those same people always said they were really good people
@@timmylongstroke7812 It's a sad tragedy all the brothers with the exception of Kevin passed on way too soon in life, Mr. Longstroke😟 What a damned shame
No doubt it's heart breaking. But I tell ya, being a kid here in Dallas during the 80's and witnessing their white-hot run was an incredible experience. At the end of the day we look back on them with nothing but love and fondness.
Yeah but he Fritz left out the part that he made them that way and drove his other 2 dead sons at the same time into their graves. Selective truth telling by Good Ole Fritz
@@tommyjones5316 Fritz constantly pushed them to satisfy his own fragile ego. He was made well aware of his son's drug use from other people and ignored it because he cared more about his business then even trying to keep his sons clean. So while he wasn't responsible for them using he's responsible for letting it go unchecked under his watch because he cared more about the business than his boys' health. There's a reason that when his business partner came to his front door to deliver the news about David's death that the first words out of his mouth to his partner were "Which one?" And let's not forget about the disgusting way he then went on to commercialize David's death and how he put enormous pressure on Mike to take David's place and pressure him to the point where he took his own life
@@tommyjones5316 While it was ultimately the kids own decision to do what they did, their father was pretty hard on them. He drove them to stardom but it seemed as soon as they made it he let them run wild. I mean at that point it’s no longer his responsibility to babysit them BUT if he genuinely cared enough he could have stepped in and done something. It’s a sad situation because the Von Erichs were amazing athletes and could have been bigger stars than what they were. One of wrestling’s biggest what if’s.
Kevin & Kerry should of been more responsible with the company. It would of been around alot longer than It was. They would of stay off the drugs and both of them not having a falling out with Fritz or Jerry for that matter. Drugs came in to play Its what costed the company go down in a lost. Nobody's fault but theirs. Thats just the straight up truth.
@@munsterbraum2792 + I could live with everything in your scenario with the exception of Cory Macklin as one the announcers for their shows. Didn't enjoy his commentary at all.
At first this story seemed credible. But I'm not sure anymore. Gary Hart's book said that Jerry stopped sending dividend checks and Kevin had to get a judge involved to be physically present at the Sportatorium with attorneys when he was finally paid. It would be nice to know more of the story, but Kevin isn't talking. Also, Jimmy Hart, who seems very credible with no reason to lie, said that Jerry was a jerk to work for and threatened to sue him when he left.
Fritz "my boys are coke heads and losers!" Jerry " that's so mean to say, I'mma make them my partners" Lawyers "Kevin and Kerry want half of the profits!" Jerry " those boys are coke heads and losers!"
Yeah one of those losers was supposed to beat Ric Flair and become NWA World Champion his name was David . Yeah a real loser right even though that guy has done more in his life then you ever will
@@jamalwest7658 No, he means being famous in the entertainment business and doing what he loved....while making tons of $$..... Therefore, not being a big fat ass with no money.....like you, by comparison. P.S. We know the sport is predetermined. It's about athleticism and playing heels or babyfaces and doing it well. You bitter fucks act like you found somebody you can finally make fun of......huh huh dat wrastlin idz fakezz.... This ain't 1997. Every motherfucker in the u.s. knows this. If you're tearing people down, you aint shit. Anyone who IS shit, knows this. See ya, loser.
@@robertrodriguez787 Dude, making fun of David for "dropping dead in Japan"?? This fat fuck ain't shit. Don't sweat him. Man, as a general rule, anyone who comes to different vids to tear people down for no reason, AIN'T SHIT......and their mama aint shit, their daddy aint shit, brother, cousin, lover, LOLZ. P.s. That family had terrible luck and mental health. They were on top of the pro wrestling world in a fun era.
I didn't know kevin was using drugs either what a sad statement their dad said they were a couple of drug heads its understandable the wrestlers need for pain pills the body can only take so many injuries surgeries and pain it's sad so many athletes become addicted to pain meds they are young good looking talented men suddenly in the spot light making a lot of money hitting the party scene sad they didn't get the treatments necessary to get off the drugs and treated for all the mental emotional and physical pain in other ways shame on all the doctors that handed out prescriptions for excessive amounts of addictive drugs without regard to the consequences of the abuse and addiction it has happened with many athletes actors musicians as well as the everyday man Bring thrust into the spot light out of your ordinary everyday life into the money and fame being adored and sought after daily especially at such a young age too many talented people have lost their lives due to addiction parting growing up out of the spot light can be hard enough but when you have the money and resources it can get out of hand way to fast the von erich brothers were all good men very talented good looking abut unfortunately took that turn under the pain and pressures of growing up so fast becoming big stars was too much to handle i wish they would have all gotten the help they needed and were able to live long healthy pain free lives
Jerry Jarrett is a Wrestling Man knows the business very well in a shoot interview James J Dillion Spoke highly Of Jerry Jarrett saying that Vince McMahon wanted him too run WWF if he Whent To Jail on Federal Charges but as much as I liked the von Erich boys they had issues and the real reason World Class Championship Wrestling when out of business is because the fans lost faith in the Von Erich's
Im from Dallas Tx and everyrhing he said is acurate the sportatorium did fold after Kerry Von Erich went to WWF Jerry is right cause WCCW became USWA didnt last long at all I was bout 12 when the Sportatarium closed down
Fritz said those thing cause he did not like Jarrett anymore then Kevin did. Fritz didnt like changing with them times either. The Von Erichs never went bankrupt they sold out when the times changed to Jerry Lawler who partnered up with Jerrett when his territory went down. Then Lawler and Jarret went bankrupt after screwed up their own new territory.
All those original WCCW guys stayed Emory, Pringles, Adams , even the ones who died never got out of that scene ! Yeah Memphis was a small guy territory, but they have a longer run, commercial and tv deals at that time. Most guys who went to Memphis ended up in WWF/E major stars. How the hell do you end up living in the Sports Auditorium? How do you as a wrestler living in the second biggest state in America not have a car 🚗 ? These guys had the earliest schedule for a easy territory back then. Ok they had OK, TX, and Vegas making $100,000 a year ? Their schedules weren’t crazy , but that lifestyle of drugs took over them. I would take it no one assumed WCCW would go down in a ball of flames 🔥 ✈️ I studied marketing in college. What people are unaware is that Texas market is huge and great for business. Combine that with Memphis territory marketing its gold ! WCCW big fish 🐠 in a small pond. The Freebirds had success outside of WCCW with Mid-South, NWA and GCW.
The Von Erichs was the most denial stricken family in the sports/entertainment business. What was more pathetic that the 2 VonErich brothers probably (mostly sure) that they planned it after maybe 6 months into the deal as it was proven profitable.
Fun to note that any money making aspect of the territoru, like their TV, was in Jerry’s name and not the company so when he let it go he basically had anything of value anyways. Wild to think if they’d not been so arrogant or greedy they could’ve operated together and everybody make some money.
I know Kerry had his issues, I've heard stories from Flair and others. I haven't heard that about Kevin. I know Kevin did drugs because he said he was in on it to, but I don't think his problems were as bad as the others. I think he was more recreational, but was all screwed up like Kerry and the others. I don't buy it, you never hear about Kevin screwing up in the ring for being inebriated.
Joseph Delledonne Kevin was a druggy too . He overdosed in the ring once . Tommy Rogers came in and did CPR on him in the ring . They rolled him out saying he had the flu . Watch the WCCW dvd
Dave Ramsey often says “the only type of ship that won’t sail is a partnership” and that every partnership has to have the 4 Ds covered in the agreement: death, divorce, disinterest, and drugs.
I don't think any wrestler of all time was loved like the Von Erick's. I realize that Steve Austin and guys like that were seen by many more people than von Erick's, but none were loved more
What happened to WCCW was what happened to all regional promotions in the 1980s; it got devoured by the WWF which by the late 80s had emerged as the premier wrestling promotion in the business. As with the other promotions, WCCW was losing its best wrestlers to Vince McMahon and consequently lost its fan base. To illustrate this point, in 1984 when it organized the David von Erich Memorial Wrestling Tournament, it drew 43,000 fans. Just three years later, when it had the David and Mike von Erich Memorial tournament, fewer than 5,000 fan attended. WCCW lost almost 90% of its fan base in just three years. Little wonder why it went out of business in 1990.
The rise of the WWE during the 80’s certainly had something to do with the demise of World Class but I believe the main cause was the Von Erichs themselves. The fans finally saw through the illusion that was the Von Erich family. All of the stories of drug use, no showing events, showing up wasted, etc. In the end the fans just gave up.
@@Cbear3450 Add to that the fact that WCCW had always been a one-pony horserace. Everything was about the Von Erichs but once they started dying off, there was no one to step in and fill the void. That's what Jerry Jarrett tried to do with the USWA-WCCW merger. He brought top wrestlers from Nashville to wrestle in the D/FW area so that it was not all about the Von Erichs and that's when fans started attending matches again. Once Jarrett left the partnership, those Tennessee wrestlers left town and when it was just the Von Erichs again, fans lost interest and the promotion suspended operations.
I like how Kevin tries to make out like his brothers were the junkies, but he was straight. That's a pretty shitty thing to do to your dead brothers. He makes it out like they were all weak except for him.
He wasn't the weak won ..(kevin) he stuck it out and lived ..3 of them took the easy way out list one wrestler who didn't do coke or more in the 80s ...and from the looks at things he has raised good kids and has a good family ..good for kev
I saw in an interview that the brace Kerry wore would cut into his skin. He would not only be in pain, but would be bleeding over and over, in the ring. I don't know, sounds like yet another reason why he showered after matches with his boots on. If true, his ankle and some leg would not be a pretty sight. Just can't help but think if he had retired, done something wlse.. maybe he would be alive today.
I don't think anyone thinks Kerry was a great worker post foot operation. Not really his fault, and his ability to keep on is very admirable, but he was pretty awful. Nowhere as great as pre-op, pretty much like Pullman was near unwatchable at the end of his career.
bull864 Jerry Jarrett is famous for saying "well you know" all the time. I don't believe he said it in this clip which is shocking lol. If you ever listen to something to wrestle with Bruce Prichard, during the intro an image of Jerry Jarrett will pop up with Bruce impersonating him saying "well you know"
I'm sorry to say, but I disagree with you. Jerry Jarrett was his own man, not a Vince MacMahon, I bet that Jerry Jarrett's philosophy in business is completely different too. Comparing Jerry The King Lawler to Hulk Hogan is way off the mark too, Jerry Lawler could work, Hulk Hogan had limited potential. So what, Hogan was "world champion" he is living proof that Vinnie Mac liked putting his belt on "big men" with incredible bodies.
Kevin no showed too many shows and brought an attorney. Kerry went to the WWF and became a conflict of interest. Jerry left and took the television deal with him. And Kevin was left standing there real dumb with no TV deal, asking Chris Adam's and the rest of the talent to work on $75 a night. Lol
Wow! Raw truth! Fritz did warn him, even though Fritz was the cause of his sons demise by pushing them to wrestle, especially when all of them did not want to be wrestlers!!!!
That's a ridiculous statement with no basis in fact. Fritz most certainly did NOT cause his sons to develop addictions and commit suicide. All of his sons legitimately wanted to wrestle, according to Kevin's own testimony.
its petty jealously by glorified admin assistants like Bruce Prichard. every major wrestling promoter of the last 40 years has sought out Jerry for counsel at one time or another. He is acknowledged by most as a true genius when it comes to business. Remember, he made millions more in construction outside the wrestling business.
There is something more to the story and the string of suicides in these tales like this one about really deep-seated lack of love from Fritz and abuse that is the real underbelly. I got a feeling Fritz made sure the boys felt that no matter what they did they were never good enough and after Kerry's accident he just couldn't be good enough and he felt like a fraud too man what a terrible situation.
well how about your son just had an motorcycle accident he's lucky to have survived. shattered foot and looking at, what should be a year of rehab, and he's sitting in the hospital saying his son will be back in the ring in a few weeks. so he's back in the ring after 6 months. not ready. and re-injures the foot so it has to be partially amputated. it's not hindsight to say a father who is your promoter should protect you from your worst instincts, which should've meant he kept kerry on the shelf for nothing short of the amount of time it took for him to fully recover from the injury
@@mox19380 That's not how his foot was reinjured. It happened in the hospital shortly after the surgery -- according to brother Kevin, he got out of bed because "he wanted a cheeseburger" and destroyed all the doctors' work. It had nothing to do with his father.
Fritz seemed neglectful and abusive at the very best, no wonder his family turned out so jacked up. I'd imagine that Fritz had an awful childhood. I mean Fritz did parade around pretending to be a nazi to get cheap heat for years.
I was in Texas Stadium June 1982 for Star Wars wrestling. It was amazing how many people were there. When the Von Erich entourage strolled in people were going crazy especially women. Way beyond anything I've ever seen since!
my brother used to say every girl in here would sleep with any one of the von erichs if asked . LOL .
They should make a movie about that family.
"These boys would be lucky to get a Bacon-Egg Sandwich from their father."
Oh boy what a line lol
Such a soft spoken and well spoken gentlemen highly intelligent! Full of wisdom
@GohModley Sweet Sweet Bear meat.....silver haired bear meat.
Excuse me, I have to vomit now.
RACIST PIECE OF SHIT HE IS
He made money by underpaying wrestlers.
@@terryg995 how do you know he's racist? You either know Jerry on a personal level or just diarrhea of the mouth! I'm betting on the latter
I know it sounds rough but sometimes a daddy has to tell it like it is!!
As for Jarrett's comment that the von Erichs were not businessmen, the late David was. David wanted the WCCW to go independent way back in 1983 because that was the time that Vince McMahon withdrew the WWF from the NWA and David was aware of what Vinnie was planning to do. At that time, WCCW was arguably the most successful promotion in the business and perhaps could have challenged McMahon for wrestling supremacy. But Fritz was determined to remain loyal to the status quo and didn't want to violate the territorial system in place at that time. David died a year later and the rest, as they say, is history.
@Sonny Jim indeed! DVE was a shrewd business man. He understood the wrestling business like no other and had he made it back from Tokyo, history would have been different.
Vince was playing 4d chess when the rest were playing checkers. Not 1 promoter would've done what Vince did, because Vince saw that the wrestling was a small part of it. Like cute girls who wear NFL jerseys and pretend they're into football and not the spectacle of it all. The merchandise, branding, movies, pay per view ( Vince wanted streaming but it wasn't invented yet). Verne, Fritz, Crockett never had a chance. Only because Ted Turner decided a billion dollars meant nothing to him was the WCW able to act like competition. Jerry Jarrett saw the big picture, which is why Vince kept him close.
@@maturanita I totally agree. Had David not died so young, the NWA would have been in a much better position to challenge the WWF.
@@maturanita if David could have ran WCCW it would have been successful. I don't think he would have let his coke headed brothers ruin it.
@@ericthomas917 not only that, but he would have been a coveted NWA Champion,as coveted as Ric Flair on my book, and that would have changed things
Fascinating! Growing up in Fort Worth watching wrestling from the late 60s up until going in the military I lost contact with most of what was going on after 1982. In 1985 WCCW shows up on channel 40 in Tucson so I reconnected a little but missed all the bad stuff really.
I lived in Oklahoma City in the late 80s, a wrestling desert after Watts sold UWF to Crockett, and CWA had just started appearing on a cable sports network the year before. I was kind of excited about it, because I finally got to see all these great Memphis wrestlers I only read about in the wrestling magazines. At the same time, World Class had started running matches in Oklahoma after UWF vacated, so when the Von Erichs merged with Jarrett to form USWA, that was the most exciting time for me as a wrestling fan, because now I was able to see Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett, and not just on TV, but now live, and that was probably the first time any of them had ever been in our city
Every one I've ever talked to that lived in Texas says the von Erich's could have a dynasty but they partied it away it's real sad because those same people always said they were really good people
They were good people , if only they had better guidance about people and less about the wrestling business.
@@timmylongstroke7812 It's a sad tragedy all the brothers with the exception of Kevin passed on way too soon in life, Mr. Longstroke😟 What a damned shame
Wow! No other words to say about this. Wow!
I would love to see a movie about the Von Erichs that would be amazing and intriguing
WWE : The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class .
The ending would be predictable though.
@@Ifoughtpiranhas but the story along the way.
@@dr.roberts4508 WWE's version was okay - but the Heroes of World Class independent documentary is much better
@jc1990wm get some old Bastard to play Fritz.
Memphis was where you came to learn your bumps, this guy knew what people wanted to see.
the Von Erich family is one of the most saddest tales in pro wrestling
Is there any sadder? Such a dynasty wasted...
NO DOUBT
No doubt it's heart breaking. But I tell ya, being a kid here in Dallas during the 80's and witnessing their white-hot run was an incredible experience. At the end of the day we look back on them with nothing but love and fondness.
Saddest by far. Nothing even close
Great interview, Kevin Von Erich Has Finally Found Peace Within Himself Living Most of The Time In Hawaii
Jerry....the real deal...worked with him and Dixie C ..bringing TNA to FOX Sports
Best to u Jerry
Marvin
I always wondered about the Von Erich family, the suicides, and tragedies, maybe sadly it started some at home.
It sure did just listen to Kerrys daughter Lacy the grandma told her it was the daddy that beat them boy's when they were young
RIP ALL THE PASSIN VON ERICHS
BUT RIP KERRY VON ERICH ONE MY FAVORITES OF ALL TIME
RIP VON ERICHS AND WCCW GOOD OLE DAYS
I remember when they tore the wccw banner down and I thought it was sad
Their father told him the truth 👌👌👌
Yeah but he Fritz left out the part that he made them that way and drove his other 2 dead sons at the same time into their graves. Selective truth telling by Good Ole Fritz
@@arlopear7136 They daddy didn't have anything to do with that. You not going to babysit adults. Don't blame the parents for what they adults done.
@@tommyjones5316 Fritz constantly pushed them to satisfy his own fragile ego. He was made well aware of his son's drug use from other people and ignored it because he cared more about his business then even trying to keep his sons clean. So while he wasn't responsible for them using he's responsible for letting it go unchecked under his watch because he cared more about the business than his boys' health. There's a reason that when his business partner came to his front door to deliver the news about David's death that the first words out of his mouth to his partner were "Which one?" And let's not forget about the disgusting way he then went on to commercialize David's death and how he put enormous pressure on Mike to take David's place and pressure him to the point where he took his own life
@@arlopear7136 I disagree with you.
@@tommyjones5316 While it was ultimately the kids own decision to do what they did, their father was pretty hard on them. He drove them to stardom but it seemed as soon as they made it he let them run wild. I mean at that point it’s no longer his responsibility to babysit them BUT if he genuinely cared enough he could have stepped in and done something. It’s a sad situation because the Von Erichs were amazing athletes and could have been bigger stars than what they were. One of wrestling’s biggest what if’s.
Would like to here a shoot interview with Kevin Von Erich
What a good smart man much respect
No matter what anyone ever says about Jerry, at least he wasnt Fritz
This guy is the greatest story teller but man if he was the host of 60 minutes, it would have to be called 24 hours!
Kevin & Kerry should of been more responsible with the company. It would of been around alot longer than It was. They would of stay off the drugs and both of them not having a falling out with Fritz or Jerry for that matter. Drugs came in to play Its what costed the company go down in a lost. Nobody's fault but theirs. Thats just the straight up truth.
Ive always wondered what would have happened to the WWE had Vince gone to jail and Jerry had taken it over until Vince was released.
Very Interesting indeed. The Click in WWF would be the best jobbers in the business after the Curtain Call.
I think Vince's asshole would have widened even more than HBK could do and WWF might not have had the shitshow 1994-1996.
WWE would’ve gone out of business.
Jerry Lawler WWF champ
Jeff Jarrett IC champ
PG13 tag team champs
Maklin Brown and Russell announce team
@@munsterbraum2792 + I could live with everything in your scenario with the exception of Cory Macklin as one the announcers for their shows. Didn't enjoy his commentary at all.
Wow. Von Erich were a mess in every way. Sad.
RIP Jerry Jarrett, Kerry, David, Mike, Chris, Jack Jr and I guess Fritz too.
I came here for the ”Well you know”
Huuuuuh?
Fuck Prichard
The Von Erichs had talent wasted it Fritz should have sold out I n mid 80's when they had Gino and Chris Missy Hyatt.
In 85 Fritz probably could have sold to Bill Watts, but why would he want to sell right after drawing 40,000 to Texas Stadium for Kerry vs Ric Flair?
@@SonnyBubba and Mid-South never drew 20000 in a good day while Dallas still have decent crowns
Good old boy. A lot smarter than he lets on. And woe to the person who underestimates him.
Wow! That's real talk!
At first this story seemed credible. But I'm not sure anymore. Gary Hart's book said that Jerry stopped sending dividend checks and Kevin had to get a judge involved to be physically present at the Sportatorium with attorneys when he was finally paid. It would be nice to know more of the story, but Kevin isn't talking. Also, Jimmy Hart, who seems very credible with no reason to lie, said that Jerry was a jerk to work for and threatened to sue him when he left.
Damn shame ... They where rock stars in Texas. I enjoyed WCCW on ESPN in the 80s
Rip Jerry he gets a bad rap but he did a lot for the wrestling business RIP Jerry
I guess it was after this falling out with Jarrett that the Von Erichs sold the WCCW name to Mario Savoldi of ICW.
Hannibal could you please do a shoot with Eric Embry?
Captivating!
Fritz "my boys are coke heads and losers!"
Jerry " that's so mean to say, I'mma make them my partners"
Lawyers "Kevin and Kerry want half of the profits!"
Jerry " those boys are coke heads and losers!"
Yeah one of those losers was supposed to beat Ric Flair and become NWA World Champion his name was David . Yeah a real loser right even though that guy has done more in his life then you ever will
@@robertrodriguez787 you mean nearly win a fake belt in a fake sport but Really drop dead in Japan? God I missed out on so much by comparison
@@jamalwest7658 No, he means being famous in the entertainment business and doing what he loved....while making tons of $$.....
Therefore, not being a big fat ass with no money.....like you, by comparison.
P.S. We know the sport is predetermined. It's about athleticism and playing heels or babyfaces and doing it well. You bitter fucks act like you found somebody you can finally make fun of......huh huh dat wrastlin idz fakezz....
This ain't 1997. Every motherfucker in the u.s. knows this. If you're tearing people down, you aint shit. Anyone who IS shit, knows this. See ya, loser.
@@robertrodriguez787 Dude, making fun of David for "dropping dead in Japan"?? This fat fuck ain't shit. Don't sweat him. Man, as a general rule, anyone who comes to different vids to tear people down for no reason, AIN'T SHIT......and their mama aint shit, their daddy aint shit, brother, cousin, lover, LOLZ.
P.s. That family had terrible luck and mental health. They were on top of the pro wrestling world in a fun era.
Lmao
Amazing story. Sad on the von erics
Unreal Fritz said all that ! I didn’t realize Kevin had a drug problem at that time. But I guess that would be naive of me to assume anything.
I didn't know kevin was using drugs either what a sad statement their dad said they were a couple of drug heads its understandable the wrestlers need for pain pills the body can only take so many injuries surgeries and pain it's sad so many athletes become addicted to pain meds they are young good looking talented men suddenly in the spot light making a lot of money hitting the party scene sad they didn't get the treatments necessary to get off the drugs and treated for all the mental emotional and physical pain in other ways
shame on all the doctors that handed out prescriptions for excessive amounts of addictive drugs without regard to the consequences of the abuse and addiction it has happened with many athletes actors musicians as well as the everyday man
Bring thrust into the spot light out of your ordinary everyday life into the money and fame being adored and sought after daily especially at such a young age too many talented people have lost their lives due to addiction parting growing up out of the spot light can be hard enough but when you have the money and resources it can get out of hand way to fast the von erich brothers were all good men very talented good looking abut unfortunately took that turn under the pain and pressures of growing up so fast becoming big stars was too much to handle i wish they would have all gotten the help they needed
and were able to live long healthy pain free lives
Jerry Jarrett is a Wrestling Man knows the business very well in a shoot interview James J Dillion Spoke highly Of Jerry Jarrett saying that Vince McMahon wanted him too run WWF if he Whent To Jail on Federal Charges but as much as I liked the von Erich boys they had issues and the real reason World Class Championship Wrestling when out of business is because the fans lost faith in the Von Erich's
Lord have mercy.
Having watched and followed the product religiously back in those days and I seriously doubt he was paying them a 20-30K a month
He wasn't paying them. That was their 49%
Everyone talks about how good Kerry looked, even men. I don't know what it is about him. He reminds me of Jim Morrison. Sad tale, it is.
Im from Dallas Tx and everyrhing he said is acurate the sportatorium did fold after Kerry Von Erich went to WWF Jerry is right cause WCCW became USWA didnt last long at all I was bout 12 when the Sportatarium closed down
Fritz said those thing cause he did not like Jarrett anymore then Kevin did. Fritz didnt like changing with them times either. The Von Erichs never went bankrupt they sold out when the times changed to Jerry Lawler who partnered up with Jerrett when his territory went down. Then Lawler and Jarret went bankrupt after screwed up their own new territory.
Why did Kevin dislike Jerry? I've seen interviews where Kevin wouldn't talk about the reason, just that he hated Jerry.
All those original WCCW guys stayed Emory, Pringles, Adams , even the ones who died never got out of that scene ! Yeah Memphis was a small guy territory, but they have a longer run, commercial and tv deals at that time. Most guys who went to Memphis ended up in WWF/E major stars. How the hell do you end up living in the Sports Auditorium? How do you as a wrestler living in the second biggest state in America not have a car 🚗 ? These guys had the earliest schedule for a easy territory back then. Ok they had OK, TX, and Vegas making $100,000 a year ? Their schedules weren’t crazy , but that lifestyle of drugs took over them. I would take it no one assumed WCCW would go down in a ball of flames 🔥 ✈️ I studied marketing in college. What people are unaware is that Texas market is huge and great for business. Combine that with Memphis territory marketing its gold ! WCCW big fish 🐠 in a small pond. The Freebirds had success outside of WCCW with Mid-South, NWA and GCW.
I just relived the von Erich era re watched all the videos I could find I had an excellent time I felt 12 again
The Von Erichs was the most denial stricken family in the sports/entertainment business. What was more pathetic that the 2 VonErich brothers probably (mostly sure) that they planned it after maybe 6 months into the deal as it was proven profitable.
Jarrett starting 2 sound like Jackie Fargo
Totally.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yep. All that’s missing is him saying “Pally” lol
Jerry's flying high on pain killers also! I love listening to his interviews. Hopefully he gets put into the Hall of Fame. Much love Jerry!
lol how can you tell?
@@ChrisMonte Well, you know....
@@jdust4 😂😂😂😂
Jerry was always nice to me!!!
Fritz was the Joe Jackson of pro wrestling.
@The Prophet of Rage wiser words have not been spoken! No wonder they call you “prophet”
@@maturanita LOL!!!!
Oh yes!! I thought I was the only one who saw this. He was a controlling, possibly mentally ill, abusive Tyrant just like JJ.
As the saying goes a % of something is much better than the % of nothing...
Ouch!!!!
Talked it into existence
Had they stayed away from the booze and the blow, they could still be around today.
I wonder who got them hook on drugs
Wow the comments in this are so crazy.
People think that the Von Erich's were the only wrestlers that did coke in the 80's
Fun to note that any money making aspect of the territoru, like their TV, was in Jerry’s name and not the company so when he let it go he basically had anything of value anyways. Wild to think if they’d not been so arrogant or greedy they could’ve operated together and everybody make some money.
I knew Kerry was a mess but didn't know this about kevin
Me neither. However I do remember Kevin not making appearances.
I know Kerry had his issues, I've heard stories from Flair and others. I haven't heard that about Kevin. I know Kevin did drugs because he said he was in on it to, but I don't think his problems were as bad as the others. I think he was more recreational, but was all screwed up like Kerry and the others. I don't buy it, you never hear about Kevin screwing up in the ring for being inebriated.
Joseph Delledonne Kevin was a druggy too . He overdosed in the ring once . Tommy Rogers came in and did CPR on him in the ring . They rolled him out saying he had the flu . Watch the WCCW dvd
@@kinnegibson9185 He overdosed IN the ring? How is that possible?
Wow. Had no idea the boys were druggies.
What? They all were including David!
Dave Ramsey often says “the only type of ship that won’t sail is a partnership” and that every partnership has to have the 4 Ds covered in the agreement: death, divorce, disinterest, and drugs.
Yep. I was in a partnership once. ONCE.
I don't think any wrestler of all time was loved like the Von Erick's. I realize that Steve Austin and guys like that were seen by many more people than von Erick's, but none were loved more
What happened to WCCW was what happened to all regional promotions in the 1980s; it got devoured by the WWF which by the late 80s had emerged as the premier wrestling promotion in the business. As with the other promotions, WCCW was losing its best wrestlers to Vince McMahon and consequently lost its fan base. To illustrate this point, in 1984 when it organized the David von Erich Memorial Wrestling Tournament, it drew 43,000 fans. Just three years later, when it had the David and Mike von Erich Memorial tournament, fewer than 5,000 fan attended. WCCW lost almost 90% of its fan base in just three years. Little wonder why it went out of business in 1990.
The rise of the WWE during the 80’s certainly had something to do with the demise of World Class but I believe the main cause was the Von Erichs themselves.
The fans finally saw through the illusion that was the Von Erich family. All of the stories of drug use, no showing events, showing up wasted, etc.
In the end the fans just gave up.
@@Cbear3450 Add to that the fact that WCCW had always been a one-pony horserace. Everything was about the Von Erichs but once they started dying off, there was no one to step in and fill the void. That's what Jerry Jarrett tried to do with the USWA-WCCW merger. He brought top wrestlers from Nashville to wrestle in the D/FW area so that it was not all about the Von Erichs and that's when fans started attending matches again. Once Jarrett left the partnership, those Tennessee wrestlers left town and when it was just the Von Erichs again, fans lost interest and the promotion suspended operations.
Look at that statue
J.C. Freeman that’s the statue featured on the opening credits of Memphis Wrestling every Saturday morning in the late 70’s and 80’s
Kerry was the best 💪🤼.
I like how Kevin tries to make out like his brothers were the junkies, but he was straight. That's a pretty shitty thing to do to your dead brothers. He makes it out like they were all weak except for him.
Bryan Wayne I agree. I’ve always heard that Kevin was the most fucked up of the whole bunch, yet he’s the only one who survived the business.
@@bradleygamble1912 cockroaches usually do survive,sad to say
He wasn't the weak won ..(kevin) he stuck it out and lived ..3 of them took the easy way out list one wrestler who didn't do coke or more in the 80s ...and from the looks at things he has raised good kids and has a good family ..good for kev
I saw in an interview that the brace Kerry wore would cut into his skin. He would not only be in pain, but would be bleeding over and over, in the ring. I don't know, sounds like yet another reason why he showered after matches with his boots on. If true, his ankle and some leg would not be a pretty sight. Just can't help but think if he had retired, done something wlse.. maybe he would be alive today.
1.75x is your friend
I don't think anyone thinks Kerry was a great worker post foot operation. Not really his fault, and his ability to keep on is very admirable, but he was pretty awful. Nowhere as great as pre-op, pretty much like Pullman was near unwatchable at the end of his career.
49% to the Von Erich ingrates was ridiculously generous.
Ole fritz gave to much to the 700 club
Channel 11 fella...not 10...
Well, you know
Know what?
bull864 Jerry Jarrett is famous for saying "well you know" all the time. I don't believe he said it in this clip which is shocking lol. If you ever listen to something to wrestle with Bruce Prichard, during the intro an image of Jerry Jarrett will pop up with Bruce impersonating him saying "well you know"
@@dustinmyers3257 I heard that, but Bruce lies so damn much I don't know what to believe.
@@dustinmyers3257 huuuuuh
John Falcetta "huh, well you know" "chicken salad and well you know" 😂😂😂
Well you know...
What is it?
But hey it surprised Jerry Fritz's attude . about his Son's and he is Jeff's dad .and they don't speak.
Jeff & Jerry Jarrett do speak now.
Jerry attended Jeff's WWEHOF induction. They patched things up.
Jerry never pushed Jeff to suicide.
Jerry Jarret king of South wrestling he Vince Machon n jerry the king Lawler is hulk hogan
I'm sorry to say, but I disagree with you. Jerry Jarrett was his own man, not a Vince MacMahon, I bet that Jerry Jarrett's philosophy in business is completely different too. Comparing Jerry The King Lawler to Hulk Hogan is way off the mark too, Jerry Lawler could work, Hulk Hogan had limited potential. So what, Hogan was "world champion" he is living proof that Vinnie Mac liked putting his belt on "big men" with incredible bodies.
well you know
No, I don't. What?
Jerry
I loved Jeff Jarrett!
Kev and Kerry ended up f'n it up in the end.
well, you know. you take chicken and then the walnuts and well you know
I most certainly do not know. Explain this statement.
Kevin no showed too many shows and brought an attorney. Kerry went to the WWF and became a conflict of interest. Jerry left and took the television deal with him. And Kevin was left standing there real dumb with no TV deal, asking Chris Adam's and the rest of the talent to work on $75 a night. Lol
Junkies are the worst.
The crossed the line when they repackaged kimala as a von erich. Yep the von erichs are ugandan
Fritz was piss off about kerry accident
Wow! Raw truth! Fritz did warn him, even though Fritz was the cause of his sons demise by pushing them to wrestle, especially when all of them did not want to be wrestlers!!!!
Sad because they all had other interests and dreams
That's a ridiculous statement with no basis in fact. Fritz most certainly did NOT cause his sons to develop addictions and commit suicide. All of his sons legitimately wanted to wrestle, according to Kevin's own testimony.
after hearing this I realize jerry Jarett was villainized by others for years and its just not true
its petty jealously by glorified admin assistants like Bruce Prichard. every major wrestling promoter of the last 40 years has sought out Jerry for counsel at one time or another. He is acknowledged by most as a true genius when it comes to business. Remember, he made millions more in construction outside the wrestling business.
There is something more to the story and the string of suicides in these tales like this one about really deep-seated lack of love from Fritz and abuse that is the real underbelly. I got a feeling Fritz made sure the boys felt that no matter what they did they were never good enough and after Kerry's accident he just couldn't be good enough and he felt like a fraud too man what a terrible situation.
well how about your son just had an motorcycle accident he's lucky to have survived. shattered foot and looking at, what should be a year of rehab, and he's sitting in the hospital saying his son will be back in the ring in a few weeks. so he's back in the ring after 6 months. not ready. and re-injures the foot so it has to be partially amputated. it's not hindsight to say a father who is your promoter should protect you from your worst instincts, which should've meant he kept kerry on the shelf for nothing short of the amount of time it took for him to fully recover from the injury
@@mox19380 That's not how his foot was reinjured. It happened in the hospital shortly after the surgery -- according to brother Kevin, he got out of bed because "he wanted a cheeseburger" and destroyed all the doctors' work. It had nothing to do with his father.
That's all pure speculation, and the opposite of what we hear from the surviving son.
If ever there was a dysfunctional family, it was the Von Erich's, the whole mob of them, even the one still alive.
I use to protect these guy's in the 80's Im 60 now... lol
Well, y'know..
What are you trying to say?
Fritz seemed neglectful and abusive at the very best, no wonder his family turned out so jacked up. I'd imagine that Fritz had an awful childhood. I mean Fritz did parade around pretending to be a nazi to get cheap heat for years.
You have no evidence on which to base that character assassination.
All of the Von Erichs seemed like addicts....JS
Except for Fritz.
I think they seemed that way because of their addictions.
Well you know
The thought of him wrestling n training on that foot then with it 😢😓
Even the Von Erich dog committed suicide
😭😭😭😭😭
Well you know..huh?
Huh?
Can't imagine wrestling on coke.