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Kevin Von Erich To Make Rare Return To North Texas To Introduce His Sons To A National Audience

Posted: Jun 1st 2014 By: Robert Wilonsky

The man born Kevin Ross Adkisson on May 15, 1957, has not been back to this part of the world in almost a decade. He now spends all of time in Kauai, on a 27-acre spread dotted with houses filled with family. Over the phone Friday morning, he compares it to ?a village from 3,000 years ago, just all of us in the valley.? As he speaks, roosters crow in the background. It?s still early there, but he rises before the sun. ?I don?t know why,? says the man better known as Kevin Von Erich.

Kevin Adkisson as he looks these days ... (Kristen Nikolas/Special contributor)

But soon, very soon, you will be able to see Kevin in the flesh, once again standing inside the squared circle: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (or TNA) has convinced Fritz Von Erich?s son to come home for its pay-per-view Slammiversary XII, scheduled to take place June 15 in College Park Center on the University of Texas at Arlington campus. Kevin?s coming for just one reason: Sons Marshall and Ross are on the bill, and their father wanted to be there. Because, after all, it?s Father?s Day.

?I now understand how my father felt when my brothers and I entered the ring,? Kevin says in the TNA press release. On the phone, he?s even more direct: ?It?s my boys.?

?You?d have to come up and see us [in Hawaii], but believe it or not, my family now is closer than the one I lost,? he says. Those who know his story know what he?s referring to ? the litany of tragedies that left him as the sole surviving member of the wrestling clan beloved around the world, but especially here. Once upon a very long time ago, Kevin and his brothers ? David, Mike, Chris and Kerry ? lived with Mom and Dad on 137 acres in Denton County. In Hawaii, he?s recreated the Adkisson family?s paradise lost.

... and, with Kerry, the Kevin Von Erich many of us remember from our childhoods. (File photo)

?It?s heaven on earth,? he says. ?I can?t explain it. We?re so close. I couldn?t miss my boys wrestling in Texas, in Dallas.?

Two years ago we chronicled Ross and Marshall?s rise through the wrestling ranks. Kevin sent his sons to Japan, to toil in Pro-Wrestling NOAH?s dojo. He says now he didn?t want anyone to ever accuse his sons of having their wrestling careers gifted to them by their legendary father, son of the Iron Claw.

?I knew how the young wrestlers were when we started, and I didn?t want everyone to say, ?You had it given to you because of your dad,?? Kevin says. ?So I sent them to Japan. They sweep up the building. They bow to everyone. They built a wing. They carry the luggage. They did all these calisthenics to an insane degree and wrestled all day. They live in the dojo. They eat in the dojo. But I wanted them to come up respecting the business.?

Come Father?s Day they will officially be part of it: The TNA event marks Ross and Marshall?s broadcast debut. The pay-per-view spectacle is far removed from those old Channel 39 broadcasts featuring the Von Erich boys grappling with the Freebirds or Ric Flair. But there is another local tie: The president of TNA is Dixie Carter, a 1982 graduate of The Hockaday School.

?Growing up in Dallas, my brother and I watched the Von Erichs,? Carter says in a statement, ?and I am honored to be part of bringing fans the next crop of this renowned wrestling family.?

Von Erich says he didn?t even know about the event until a week ago. And, he stresses, the trip back to Texas won?t be an easy one: He has a bad back. Has for years. It was once so bad he couldn?t get on a plane to Israel for a high-paying gig. But for this, he?s willing to put up with a little suffering. He just doesn?t plan to make a habit of it.

?I don?t see myself ever leaving Kauai,? he says. ?I don?t see myself ever wearing shoes again. That may be a problem when I have to get on the plane.?

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
10-22 2026 Heavy Metal Mario def. Abismo Negro, Jr. for the EDW Heavyweight Title
10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-23 2026 Logan Knight def. Nate Bourne for the RDW Iron Man Title
10-23 2026 Sean Ryan def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Openweight Title
10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

10-24

Bobby Lambert Oct 24th Today!
Ray Durán Oct 24th Today!
Daniel Powers Oct 24th Today!
Bill Dundee Oct 24th Today!
Phil Shark Oct 25th
Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
Paige Turner Oct 25th
Double D Oct 25th
Halo Oct 26th
Eddie Williams Oct 26th
Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
Troy Graham Oct 26th
Miss Linda Oct 27th
AWOL Oct 27th
Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
MVP Oct 28th
Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
Jake Boulder Oct 28th
Chris Smith Oct 28th
Mischief Oct 29th
D. J. Hall Oct 29th
Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
Debbie Combs Oct 30th
George Wells Oct 30th
Danny McShain Oct 30th
Jayson Boss Oct 31st
Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
Assassin 1 Nov 4th
Max Leon Nov 4th
Bill Decker Nov 5th
Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th
Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th
Chris Chaos Nov 5th
David Jason Rose Nov 5th
Darin Matthews Nov 6th
Brian Faith Nov 6th
Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
Lu Kim Nov 6th
Ken Patera Nov 6th

1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

More Look Back In History

Oklafan.com v5 Beta

Kevin Von Erich To Make Rare Return To North Texas To Introduce His Sons To A National Audience

Posted: Jun 1st 2014 By: Robert Wilonsky

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