Kevin Von Erich Explains Why He Never Signed With The WWF
With the recent release of the pro wrestling biopic "The Iron Claw," Kevin Von Erich has been thrust back into the spotlight. Von Erich is portrayed in the movie by Zac Efron, and a great deal of praise has been shared regarding Efron's performance as the wrestler. The interest level in the Von Erichs is at a high, and Kevin has been making quite a few media appearances in recent weeks and months. That includes an interview with AEW star Chris Jericho on "Talk Is Jericho," where Von Erich revealed the reason why he chose not to follow his brother Kerry and sign with Vince McMahon's WWF.
"I did go up and have a few matches for them," Von Erich said. "I really didn't want to [sign with the WWF], Chris, because to me the business is all about making money. And I wanted to weigh on the other hand being a father. To have my kids grow up and me not be there was just not acceptable."
Kevin's brother Kerry Von Erich began working for the WWF in 1990, debuting as the "Texas Tornado." Things started off going well for Von Erich, with the performer soon winning the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. However, Kerry eventually lost his position on the card and departed the company in 1992, less than a year before his death. Kevin's dark matches with the promotion took place in 1991, while Kerry was still there. However, Kevin said that the company's intensive schedule wouldn't have fit with everything he wanted in life at that time.
Kevin Von Erich Decides To Retire
Von Erich explained that the WWF schedule at the time would have kept him on the road almost constantly — something he had already spent plenty of time doing in his wrestling career. By continuing to work for the NWA and promotions like the United States Wrestling Association in Texas rather than making the move to the WWF, Von Erich could continue making good money while still spending plenty of time with his wife and children, both at home as well as out on the road.
"I got to a point where I could work four or five nights a week at least, and take my family with me sometimes," Von Erich continued. "Otherwise, it would've been a grind that I wasn't ready to put out there. I wouldn't have had my heart in it, and I wanted people to see that I had fun in the ring."
The retired performer said that if he was no longer passionate about wrestling, he knew that it would show through to the fans during his matches. That was something Von Erich wanted to avoid. When Von Erich began to feel that he wasn't fully invested, after going through the deaths of his brothers, he decided to hang up his boots and step away from the ring. Though he would later wrestle a one-off match in 2017 with his sons, Von Erich finished up his full-time career in 1995 without a long-term stint in the World Wrestling Federation.
The Von Erichs In The WWE Hall Of Fame
Even though the only members of the Von Erich family to appear onscreen in WWE were Kerry (and his daughter Lacey, who briefly worked in the company's developmental), the decision was made to honor the family with a WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2009 for their contributions to the industry. Following a video package highlighting the accomplishments of the Von Erichs and their legendary wrestling rivalries, Michael P.S. Hayes of the Fabulous Freebirds inducted the family. Kevin was there to accept the honor on behalf of his father and brothers. In his speech, Kevin focused on the positive memories of wrestling despite the harrowing events he was witness to, highlighting his optimism in the face of tragedy and adversity.
"My brothers [and] my dad — I wish they were here to absorb this great moment with me," Von Erich said. "Don't think I'm alone, because we call each other brother — the wrestlers. I tell you what, this is just how it is. These guys are like my family."
Von Erich recalled the aftermath of Kerry's death and his feeling that he didn't want to continue wrestling. The retired performer said that his fellow wrestlers gathered around him and made him realize he had more brothers than he realized, offering him the strength needed to continue forward.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Talk Is Jericho" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.