Everything
By now you would have seen the images of a shredded Jeremy Allen White and Zac Efron with British star Harris Dickinson sporting some seriously questionable wigs for their highly anticipated A24 film, The Iron Claw. Set to make its theatrical debut on December 22 in the US and January 18 here in Australia, the film promises an intimate exploration of the infamous Von Erich wrestling family, capturing their meteoric rise and the profound challenges that lurked in the shadows.
But before you book yourself the middle seats, third row from the back, here’s everything you need to know about the family that inspired the film.
The Von Erich story commences in the 1950s when Jack Adkisson, following an unsuccessful stint in the Canadian Football League, found his calling in professional wrestling. Under the guidance of legendary wrestler Stu Hart, Adkisson adopted the persona of Fritz Von Erich. Teaming up with Canadian wrestler Walter Sieber, they portrayed menacing German brothers, capitalising on the wrestling world’s fascination with Nazism.
As Fritz’s solo career gained momentum, the Von Erich name became synonymous with wrestling excellence. From various U.S. promotions to Japan, where Fritz earned the moniker “Tetsu no Tsume” (or “The Iron Claw”), the Von Erich name reverberated throughout the wrestling circuits.
In the late 70s, Fritz transitioned from in-ring competition to mentoring. His five sons—Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris—followed his footsteps, adopting the Von Erich name and collectively becoming known as the Von Erichs.
Kerry Von Erich, portrayed by Jeremy Allen White in the film, emerged as the most prominent of the brothers. His crowning achievement was his 1984 victory over Ric Flair, claiming the NWA Heavyweight Championship in front of 45,000 fervent fans at Texas Stadium. The Von Erichs, as a unit, enjoyed a level of fan adoration and hysteria akin to the Beatles during their heyday, as attested by wrestling writer Steve Slagle.
However, the Von Erichs’ success was marred by profound tragedy. The series of devastating events commenced in 1959 when Fritz’s six-year-old son, Jack Jr., tragically drowned, marking the onset of what would later be known as the “Von Erich curse.”
In 1984, David Von Erich’s life was cut short abruptly in his Tokyo hotel room at the tender age of 25, shrouded in mystery and conflicting accounts.
Mike Von Erich’s untimely overdose on tranquillisers in 1987 followed two years after his wrestling career was terminated due to toxic shock syndrome from a botched shoulder surgery in Israel. He was only 23.
In 1991, Chris Von Erich, the youngest brother, faced insurmountable struggles in the wrestling world and, tragically, chose to end his own life.
The final blow struck in 1993 when Kerry Von Erich, battling the aftermath of a severe motorcycle accident and legal issues, took his own life. This left Kevin Von Erich as the sole surviving member of the once-great wrestling dynasty, now residing in Hawaii with his family.
Now the film… Efron, White and Dickinson star as brothers Kevin, Kerry and David Von Erich respectively while Holt McCallany plays father Fritz. The movie transports viewers to the electrifying 80s wrestling scene, promising intense rivalries, heart-pounding bouts, and a nostalgic glimpse into 80s fashion.
According to MovieWeb, Kevin has expressed excitement at the film’s release and that it’s heartfelt portrayal of the family’s legacy and tragedy.
Iron Claw will hit Australian cinemas on January 18.
