Zac Effron and Jeremy Allen White discuss the Iron Claw movie based on the mysterious Von Erich family curse. The podcast explores curses in sports, the evolution of professional wrestling, the tragedies faced by the Von Erich family, and the controversies surrounding their story. It also touches on positive thinking, supernatural legends, and societal views on women.
The Von Erich wrestling family faced an astonishing number of deaths and tragedies, fueling the belief in a curse.
Fritz von Erich's success and influence in the wrestling industry grew through his portrayal of a Nazi stormtrooper villain.
Fritz von Erich's innovative production techniques, like multi-camera shooting and instant replay, enhanced the audience experience of his wrestling shows.
The Von Erich family's wrestling empire declined due to the rise of WWF, the departure of top talent, and internal turmoil.
Each of the Von Erich brothers battled personal struggles and health issues, facing immense pressure and mental and physical challenges.
The tragic story of the Von Erichs highlights the importance of redefining success and finding fulfillment in the pursuit of passion.
Deep dives
Early Life and Tough Upbringing
Fritz von Erich, originally known as Jack Bernard Atkinson, was born in Jewett, Texas in 1929 during the Great Depression. He grew up in a poor family and had to be creative in finding ways to have fun and make do with limited resources. His father, a local sheriff, would sometimes take young Jack to arrest moonshiners, exposing him to dangerous situations. Atkinson's family lived in a small frame house without running water, and he recalls having to follow a string to the outhouse at night. Despite the challenges, Atkinson developed a tough mindset and learned to be fearless, values that would play a role in his wrestling persona as Fritz von Erich.
The Rise of Fritz von Erich
After turning down a music scholarship, Atkinson accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He excelled as a clarinet player and had a passion for classical music. However, his focus shifted to football, and he had high hopes for a career in professional sports. After graduating from college, Atkinson began his wrestling career and adopted the persona of Fritz von Erich, a Nazi stormtrooper villain. Von Erich quickly gained popularity as a charismatic and entertaining wrestler, known for his finishing move, the Iron Claw. He became one of the most famous wrestlers in the world at the time, captivating audiences with his theatrics and skill in the ring.
Tragedy and the Von Erich Curse
Despite his success in wrestling, Fritz von Erich would eventually face unimaginable tragedy. Along with his wife, he raised six sons, all of whom pursued wrestling careers like their father. However, the Von Erich family would be plagued by an astounding number of deaths and hardships. Five of the six sons died prematurely due to various causes, some by their own hand. This string of tragedies led to the family being referred to as cursed, and the Von Erich legacy became one of heartache and sorrow. Fritz himself would pass away at the age of 68, with rumors of syphilis, but officially due to brain and lung cancer. The story of the Von Erichs exemplifies the dark side of professional wrestling and the immense personal toll it can take on those involved.
Fritz von Erich's Wrestling Career and Villain Persona
Fritz von Erich, a professional wrestler, rises to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming one of the most popular villains in Texas wrestling. He uses his trademark move, the iron claw, to defeat opponents and win multiple championships, establishing himself as a top contender. Fritz's popularity increases as he promotes his own wrestling shows and becomes a promoter himself. He incorporates innovative production techniques like multi-camera shooting, instant replay, and slow motion to make his shows more engaging for the audience. Despite facing criticism for his aggressive wrestling style and portrayal of a Nazi villain, Fritz's success and influence in the wrestling industry continue to grow.
The Formation of World Class Championship Wrestling
Fritz von Erich establishes World Class Championship Wrestling, his own wrestling promotion, in Texas. With the help of Ed Macklemore and local TV stations, Fritz's shows become highly rated and draw large crowds. He signs top talent, and his promotion quickly becomes a major force in the wrestling world. Fritz's villainous persona and intense promos make him a fan favorite, but also attract some negative attention. He faces several incidents where fans attack him, showing the impact of his portrayal as a despised villain. Through his dedication to wrestling and talent as a promoter, Fritz von Erich solidifies his position as a key figure in the wrestling industry.
Family Life and Tragedy
Outside the wrestling ring, Fritz von Erich prioritizes his family and raises his sons in a country lifestyle on a ranch in Texas. He instills values of self-reliance, sportsmanship, and discipline in his sons, even teaching them how to fight back against bullies. However, tragedy strikes the family when his eldest son, Jack Jr., drowns in a freak accident. This heartbreaking loss takes an emotional toll on Fritz, but he continues wrestling and promoting to support his family. He expands his business ventures and achieves financial success, but carries the pain of his son's loss throughout his career.
The Tragic History of the Von Erich Family
The Von Erich family, a famous wrestling dynasty, faced a series of tragic events that marred their success. David Von Erich's untimely death at the age of 25 from an intestinal infection shocked the wrestling world. Mike Von Erich, suffering from toxic shock syndrome and brain damage, took his own life in despair. Kerry Von Erich, despite losing a foot, continued to wrestle, but struggled with addiction and a waning career. Chris Von Erich, the smallest and most determined of the brothers, battled asthma and brittle bones, facing immense challenges in his quest for wrestling success. The Von Erichs' once thriving wrestling empire crumbled as they struggled to cope with personal losses and the changing landscape of professional wrestling.
The Rise and Fall of the Von Erich Wrestling Empire
The Von Erichs, led by their patriarch Fritz, initially dominated the wrestling scene, with their promotion world-class championship wrestling drawing massive crowds and gaining nationwide popularity. However, the rise of WWF, the emergence of new promotions, and the departure of top talent led to the decline of the Von Erichs' empire. Fritz's desperate move to bring in a non-family member, Lance Von Erich, caused turmoil and damaged the integrity of the brand. Attendance dropped, rival promotions emerged, and financial troubles loomed. Fritz ultimately retired, leaving a struggling business in the hands of his sons.
The Personal Struggles of the Von Erich Brothers
Each of the Von Erich brothers faced personal struggles and health issues. Mike dealt with toxic shock syndrome and a car accident that left him with brain damage. Kerry grappled with the loss of a foot, painkiller addiction, and a crushing revelation on national TV about his missing limb. Chris battled asthma, brittle bones, and a relentless desire to succeed in the wrestling world. Despite their determination, they faced immense pressure to live up to their family's legacy and experienced mounting mental and physical challenges.
The Tragic Story of the Von Erich Family
The Von Erich family, a famous wrestling dynasty, experienced an extraordinary amount of tragedy, with five out of six sons meeting untimely deaths. The family's success was tainted by a series of accidents, surgeries, divorces, drug abuse, and suicides. Despite their fame and talent, the pressures of the wrestling world and the pursuit of perfection took a toll on their mental health. The story highlights the importance of redefining success and finding happiness in smaller achievements.
Challenging the Curse and Pursuing Dreams
While the Von Erich family faced a multitude of hardships, it is important to remember that pursuing dreams and achieving success shouldn't be solely focused on being the best. The journey itself and the fulfillment that comes from following one's passion is equally valuable. The story of the Von Erichs encourages us to redefine success, cherish small victories, and find satisfaction in the pursuit of our dreams, regardless of the outcome.
The story behind the new Iron Claw movie starring Zac Effron and Jeremy Allen White. Was the Von Erich wrestling family actually cursed? I understand why some people think so. Five out of six of wrestling star Fritz Von Erich's sons would die prematurely and tragically, many of them dying shortly after the family became the most famous family in all of professional wrestling.
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