David Von Erich

Early life and education Adkisson was named after his mother Doris' brother Eugene David Smith, who died of a brain tumor at 14, several months before David Adkisson was born in 1958. David and his brothers, Kevin and Kerry, loved to hunt and fish with their father. Hunting on the Von Erich ranch was quite an event. Many of their relatives and friends joined and sometimes the hunting group would be 20 or more; WCCW referee David Manning and WCCW announcer Bill Mercer often were among the group. Adkisson's first love in life was raising horses, which turned out to be very profitable for him. He raised and sold quarter horses and horses for show and made his own fortune that way, apart from the family business of wrestling.

Adkisson was a high school basketball star and a football player at Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, Texas. He won a scholarship to North Texas State University in Denton to play basketball and football. He dropped out to pursue a professional wrestling career.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1977–1981)

Adkisson made his professional wrestling debut in June 1977, adopting the name "David Von Erich". He was considered a breakout star of his family, as his fiery temper produced memorable interviews. His first major match came just a few weeks later on August 15, 1977, when he wrestled NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race to a 30-minute draw in a two out of three falls match. Von Erich made his first appearance with the St. Louis Wrestling Club in Missouri in early-1979 and was an instant hit with the fans and the promoters. Due to his popularity at the time, on May 27, 1979, David again wrestled NWA World Heavyweight Champion Race in Missouri in a non-title match and defeated him with the Iron Claw.

In November 1979, Von Erich made his first and only appearance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), competing on a card against Davey O'Hannon at Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, New York. In the early years of his career, Von Erich had several reigns as NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion and NWA Texas Tag Team Champion, as well as holding the All Asia Tag Team Championship, NWA American Tag Team Championship, and Texas version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1979, 1981) In May and June 1979, Von Erich made his debut in Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), taking part in that year's "Super Power Series". Teaming with Kevin Von Erich, he competed primarily in the tag team division. On June 5, 1979, the Von Erichs unsuccessfully challenged Great Kojika and Motoshi Okuma for the All Asia Tag Team Championship in a two out of three falls match. David and Patricia A. Matter, known as Trisha, married on June 8, 1982; it was David's second marriage. The couple was married until David's death. Trisha was interviewed for the June 1984 edition of The Wrestler magazine, which was a tribute to David. She spoke of how she loved the fans and thanked them for their support. Trisha has remained out of the public eye since that interview.

Death Von Erich died at the outset of a third tour of Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling on February 10, 1984, before defending the United National championship belt he had won in Texas seven days earlier. The Von Erichs state that his death was caused by ruptured intestines resulting from acute enteritis, which is the documented cause of death listed on the Consular Report of Death provided by the U.S. embassy in Japan after an autopsy was performed. A theory about his death, which has never been confirmed by anyone, is that it was a painkiller overdose, perhaps hydrocodone. Championship Wrestling from Florida NWA Florida Television Championship (1 time) NWA North American Tag Team Championship (Florida version) (1 time) – with Dory Funk Jr. NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time) NWA Big Time Wrestling / World Class Championship Wrestling NWA American Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kevin Von Erich NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (8 times) NWA Texas Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kevin Von Erich NWA United National Championship (1 time) NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (2 times) – with Kevin Von Erich and Kerry Von Erich NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kevin Von Erich NWA Western States Sports NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Kevin Von Erich Pro Wrestling Illustrated Stanley Weston Award (1984) PWI ranked him #58 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 PWI ranked him #23 of the top 100 tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Mike, Kevin, and Kerry Von Erich in 2003 St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2016 World Wrestling Entertainment WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)