The Von Erichs: A Texas Tradition
Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson) grew up in Texas and attended Southern Methodist University, where he competed in track & field and football. After a short stint in professional football, he parlayed his imposing 6'4", 270-pound physique into a career as a wrestling villain in the 1950s, at the end of which he began booking the Dallas wrestling territory.
Fritz had six sons, five of whom wrestled in the WCCW. In particular, David, Kerry, and Kevin were standout high school and college athletes whose pro wrestling debuts transformed WCCW into the nation's hottest wrestling promotion in the early 1980s.
The Von Erichs emphasized Texas pride and family values in their ring presentation; they wore ring apparel featuring the Texas flag or Texas colors and defended the state's honor against any and all rivals who sought to besmirch it. At their peak, three-man matches featuring David, Kerry, and Kevin drew huge crowds to the Cotton Bowl.