Chris Von Erich

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Chris Von Erich
Birth nameChris Barton Adkisson
Born(1969-09-30)September 30, 1969
Dallas, Texas
DiedSeptember 12, 1991(1991-09-12) (aged 21)
Denton, Texas
Cause of deathSuicide
FamilyVon Erich
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Chris Von Erich
Billed height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[1]
Billed weight175 lb (79 kg)[1]
Billed fromDenton, Texas
Trained byFritz Von Erich
DebutJune 22, 1990[2]

Chris Barton Adkisson (September 30, 1969 – September 12, 1991)[3] was an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Chris Von Erich of the Von Erich family.

Professional wrestling career

The smallest and youngest of the Von Erich family, all Chris wanted to be was a wrestler.[1] He was the youngest son of wrestler Fritz Von Erich.[4] His brothers, Mike, David, Kerry and Kevin all had success as wrestlers. He grew up working cameras and doing other odd jobs backstage for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He had minor involvement in angles in the 1980s.[4] He performed run-ins to aide his brothers against The Fabulous Freebirds.[4] Chris also smashed Buddy Roberts across the back with a chair, and tackled Gino Hernandez at the Cotton Bowl in 1985; while escaping from having his hair shaved off following a tag-team loss at the hands of the Von Erichs.

He became a wrestler in 1990.[4] He had a small feud with Percy Pringle in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). Chris tagged with both his brother Kevin and longtime ally Chris Adams in several tag team matches against Pringle and "Stunning" Steve Austin (later "Stone Cold" Steve Austin); however, he would face only Pringle whenever he was in the ring, and allow his more-experienced partner (Kevin or Adams) to battle Austin. Despite his lack of athleticism, Chris was very supported by fans, who would often yell "GO, CHRIS, GO!" during his matches.

Personal life

Chris grew up with his brothers on 500-acres in Texas.[5] He was the smallest of the brothers at only 5'5" and 175 pounds.[1]

Chris had several health problems that limited his success as a wrestler.[4] In addition to asthma,[5] his bones were so brittle from taking prednisone that he would often break them while performing simple wrestling maneuvers.[4][1] After the 1987 suicide of brother Mike, Chris developed depression and drug issues.[4] Frustrated and depressed over the deaths of his brothers and the inability to make headway as a wrestler due to his physical build, Chris shot himself in the head on September 12, 1991, eighteen days before his 22nd birthday.[4][6][1] His interment was located at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

Awards and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wilonsky, Robert (November 20, 1997). "Wrestling With Tragedy". Dallas Observer. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "World Class Memories: Results 1990 and Beyond". John Dananay/Michael Moody/ISE Web Productions. July 28, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  3. ^ "Chris Von Erich". Find a Grave. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Tragedy in Texas: The Sad Story of the Von Erich Family". Retroist. June 5, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Hollandsworth, Skip. "The Fall of the House of Von Erich". D Magazine. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  6. ^ Cohen, Eric. "Who's who in the Von Erich Family?". Retrieved 19 April 2009.
  7. ^ "Von Erichs". WWE. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
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