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Von Erich brothers aim to turn new leaf on family legacy

Von Erich brothers aim to turn new leaf on family legacy

Posted: May 30th 2019 By: Nick Celario

The Von Erich name in pro wrestling is typically associated with its story of the family curse — the untimely deaths of four of five wrestling brothers.

The sons of the last surviving brother now aim to take the Von Erich name with them toward a brighter future rather than keep it in its grim past.

“We want to show everyone that we’re not cursed. We’re blessed,” Marshall Adkisson said.

Ross and Marshall Adkisson, known by their stage names Ross and Marshall Von Erich, look forward to what is ahead of them in their careers after recently signing a four-year deal with pro wrestling promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW).

The brothers will travel monthly to do shows for MLW nationally an sometimes internationally.

“They want to feature us mainly with international stuff,” Ross said. “And that was really one of our dreams, too. We love traveling. We love going to new countries and seeing new places.”

The deal couldn’t have come at a better time for the Von Erich brothers.

They’ve been in the business for about seven years, but they’ve questioned where their careers were headed after turning down a tryout with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) brand NXT about two years ago in order to keep living on Kauai rather than constantly tour.

“We went through a year of examining ourselves — why we were in wrestling and seeing where we were at,” Marshall said. “We were getting to travel and see awesome places, but after a while, there can be times where you take time off.

“We were continuing with wrestling, but sometimes there would be small crowds. Sometimes, it would be in high school gyms in the middle of Philadelphia. You don’t know where you’re going to be, and sometimes you think, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ But all I can say is persevere. It was something we were praying about for a long time.”

The Von Erichs will make their MLW debut on June 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Soon after, they’ll make stops in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

The promotion’s weekly television show “MLW Fusion” can be seen on BeIN Sports. Recordings of past shows can also be seen on MLW’s YouTube channel.

Moving past dark family legacy

The brothers are the sons of WWE hall of famer Kevin Adkisson, known in the ring as Kevin Von Erich.

During the 1980s, Kevin and his brothers David, Mike, Chris and Kerry were active pro wrestlers with promotion World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in their native state of Texas.

All but Kevin died during the prime of their careers — three of the brothers took their life by suicide. As children, the eldest brother Jack Jr. died at 6 years old after he was electrocuted and drowned in a puddle.

It was from these deaths that the myth of the “Von Erich Curse” arose.

“First of all, it’s crazy people are still remember it,” Ross said. “We’re aware my dad had a crazy story and that it impacted people and touched people emotionally. That’s why some people are still following it.”

Ross and Marshall now want to take their inherited Von Erich name and push it to a more positive course. They believe their signing with MLW is a sign of things to come for the duo.

“To the kids, the fans and whoever follows, we want to show that we’ve learned from those mistakes that they made,” Ross said. “We want to point people to the right direction.”

Whirlwind week-and-a-half

The Von Erichs, mainly the father Kevin, were featured in a 45-minute episode of a television series called “Dark Side of the Ring” released by Viceland. The episode is called “The Last of the Von Erichs”.

The documentary, some of which was recorded on the Adkissons’ home in Kapahi, thoroughly covers the Von Erich family’s rich pro wrestling history, the brothers’ deaths, and how Kevin lived through tragedy and that he’s found peace on Kauai.

Ross and Marshall signing with MLW happened in close proximity of the Viceland episode’s release earlier this month. Soon after, the brothers were contacted by Sports Illustrated for a feature story that published online.

“Right after we signed (with MLW), Sports Illustrated called to cover it. It was like bam, bam, bam all in the span of a week-and-a-half,” Marshall said. “Meanwhile, we were actually on Oahu coaching KYF (Kauai Youth Football). We coach for Kapaa KYF. We’re the D2 coaches.”

Ross added that as all of this has happened, he and his brother are just “along for the ride.”

“We really feel like God opened this door and that this is all his doing,” Ross said. “That’s what’s really exciting. We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we’re just walking through these doors as they’re opening.”

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1967 Billy Red Lyons became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 2009 3rd Rail def. Se7en for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 2009 Se7en became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 2014 Bobby Starr def. Guy Atticus for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2019 Gorgeous Garcia def. Brock Landers for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 2025 Stephen Nitro became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 2025 Rex Mori def. Rook Tyler for the TexPro Dynasty Title

Week of Sun 11-08 to Sat: 11-14

  • 11-08 1967 Billy Red Lyons became the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-08 2009 3rd Rail def. Se7en for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 11-08 2009 Se7en became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 11-08 2014 Bobby Starr def. Guy Atticus for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-08 2019 Gorgeous Garcia def. Brock Landers for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 11-08 2025 Stephen Nitro became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 11-08 2025 Rex Mori def. Rook Tyler for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 11-09 1960 Danny McShain became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 11-09 1976 The Spoiler def. Bill Watts for the TSW North American Title
  • 11-09 1978 Ron Bass became the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 11-09 1986 One Man Gang def. Terry Gordy for the UWF Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 1986 Savannah Jack def. Buddy Roberts for the UWF Television Title
  • 11-09 1986 Bill Irwin & Leroy Brown def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2002 Sonny C def. Butch Dalton for the OCW Oklahoma Television Title
  • 11-09 2002 Dexter Hardaway def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 11-09 2012 Kyle Kelly def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 11-09 2012 The Swamp Men (Amphibian & Reptile) def. The Legion of Bromance (Justin Lee & Max McGuirk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2013 Michael Wolf def. Kidd Krash for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2013 The Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) def. The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Richard Sharpe) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-09 2013 Kidd Krash def. Michael Wolf for the OWA Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2019 Double D def. Dexter Hardaway for the EmpCW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-09 2024 Birdman def. Umbra for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 11-09 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) def. The Grudge (Dr. Corvus & Giganto) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 11-10 1976 Bill Watts & Billy Robinson def. Karl Kox & Ken Patera for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 11-10 1987 Matt Borne def. Ted Arcidi for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 11-10 2002 Kool Ade def. Li'l Joe for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-10 2002 Jeffrey Parker def. Kool Ade for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-10 2007 Cheerleader Melissa became the AACW Womens Champion
  • 11-10 2007 Oliver John became the AACW Internet Champion
  • 11-10 2007 Jack Dalton [2nd]/Jack Legacy became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-10 2007 J. D. Rebel & Fuel became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-10 2011 Uncle Mikey & Michael Titus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-10 2018 Alex Royal def. J. D. for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 11-11 1964 Danny Hodge became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-11 1985 Eddie Gilbert & The Nightmare def. Wendell Cooley & Al Perez for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 11-11 1988 Eric Embry def. Jeff Jarrett for the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2006 Mustafa Sharmoot def. Glen Steel for the AACW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2017 Running Wolf def. Dusty Gold for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-11 2022 Nova Phoenix became the CPW Women’s Champion
  • 11-11 2022 Koko def. Tommy Dean for the CPW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-12 1979 Bill Watts & Buck Robley def. Mike George & Bob Sweetan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 11-12 2002 Baby B def. Jeffrey Parker for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 11-12 2011 The Jersey Kings (Scott Riley & King James) def. Pork Chop & Shane Cortez (subbing for Big Smooth) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-12 2022 Ronnie Morton def. Ryan the Ripper for the RDW Brass Knucks Title
  • 11-12 2022 Andrew Fenix def. Dove Puro for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 11-12 2022 San La Muerte became the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 11-12 2022 Elijah Sparks def. San La Muerte for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 11-13 1950 Verne Gagne became the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-13 1964 Angelo Savoldi def. Hiro Matsuda for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 11-13 1965 Jack Brisco became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-13 2010 Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) def. Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2010 Awesome X (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. Arrogant Money (Randy Price & Austin Tacious) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2015 The Pen Palz (Skyler Fayden & Dimitri Alexandrov) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 11-13 2015 Lance Osburn became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 11-13 2015 Jon Cross def. Riker for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-13 2021 Rebel Hearts (Christian Temple & Justin Gray) def. The Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the EPW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-13 2021 Striker def. Warren Powers for the EPW All-American Title
  • 11-13 2022 Subject to Death (Leo Fox & Derek James & Cade Fite) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 11-13 2022 Derek James became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
  • 11-13 2022 Cappuccino Jones def. Derek James for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 11-14 1980 Bruiser Brody def. Stan Stasiak for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 11-14 2009 Goldeneye def. Sage for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 11-14 2009 John O'Malley def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2009 Running Wolf def. Michael H for the 412PE Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2010 Greatness On Demand (Rage Logan & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 11-14 2015 Aaron Neil def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 11-14 2015 Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 11-14 2015 Rolling Thunder became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 11-14 2020 Alex Royal def. Sam Stackhouse for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 11-14 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. Tim Rockwell for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
11-08
  • Treach Phillips, Jr. Nov 8th Today!
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  • Kolossus Nov 9th
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  • Kinzer Keel Nov 10th
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  • Bob Orton, Jr. Nov 10th
  • Marshall Von Erich Nov 10th
  • Prince Tapu Nov 10th
  • Brandon Moxley Nov 11th
  • Green Dragon Nov 11th
  • Little Cloud Nov 11th
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  • Alex Perez Nov 11th
  • Ty Thunder Nov 12th
  • Austin Tacious Nov 12th
  • Vickie Lynn McCoy Nov 12th
  • Brett Taylor Nov 12th
  • Terrale Tempo Nov 12th
  • Thud Powell Nov 12th
  • Gary Tool Nov 12th
  • Varik Vayne Nov 12th
  • Big Smooth Nov 13th
  • L. J. McDaniels Nov 13th
  • Kirk Castle Nov 14th
  • Kyle Kelly Nov 14th
  • Tiny Bell Nov 14th
  • Shane Sanders Nov 14th
  • Killer Cross Nov 15th
  • Sean Pearl Nov 15th
  • Super Beast Nov 15th
  • Armin Syzlack Nov 15th
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  • Brieanna Bringle Nov 16th
  • Kikutaro Nov 17th
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