Fritz Von Erich

Early life Adkisson was born in Jewett, Texas on August 16, 1929. He was the only child of Benjamin Rush Adkisson Jr. and his wife Coren. He attended Crozier Tech High School in Dallas, where he was active in football and track and field, particularly in shot put and discus throwing. He quit the Texans on August 7, 1952, after stating he had no chance of making the team.

Professional wrestling career

Early career and training Adkisson debuted as a professional wrestler under his real name in August 1952, under the auspices of local promoter Ed McLemore. though this has not been substantiated. In the late 1960s, with Muchnick's backing, Von Erich became the promoter for the Dallas area, effectively overseeing the Houston and San Antonio territories, as well. Together, they had six sons, including Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris. Only Kevin would outlive him. The couple divorced on July 21, 1992.

Von Erich died of brain and lung cancer at his home in Lake Dallas, Texas on September 10, 1997, at the age of 68.

Legacy In 2009, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame along with his family. He was inducted by Freebird Michael Hayes. It was accepted by his surviving son Kevin.

The 2023 film The Iron Claw depicts the Von Erich family story, with Fritz played by Holt McCallany.

Championships and accomplishments All Japan Pro Wrestling NWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Karl Krupp Big Time Wrestling NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit Version) (3 times) Maple Leaf Wrestling NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Karl Von Schober (2) and Gene Kiniski (1) Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling NWA Southern Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time) - with Waldo Von Erich NWA Minneapolis Wrestling and Boxing Club / American Wrestling Association AWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA World Tag Team Championship (Minneapolis version) (1 time) - with Hans Hermann World Heavyweight Championship (Omaha) (2 times) NWA Western States Sports NWA International Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) - with Killer Karl Krupp NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Amarillo version) (4 times) NWA World Tag Team Championship (Amarillo version) (1 time) - with Gene Kiniski Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ranked No. 207 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003 Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Southwest Sports, Inc / NWA Big Time Wrestling / World Class Championship Wrestling NWA American Heavyweight Championship (13 times) NWA American Tag Team Championship (7 times) - with Waldo Von Erich (2), Billy Red Lyons (1), Grizzly Smith (1), Fred Curry (1), Dan Miller (1), and Dean Ho (1) NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (5 times) NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (4 times) NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Texas version) (3 times) NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) - with Kevin & Mike Von Erich NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas Version) (2 times) - with Killer Karl Kox (1) and Duke Keomuka (1) Stampede Wrestling Alberta Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Lou Sjoberg St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2007 WWE WWE Hall of Fame