On a recent edition of his “The Snake Pit” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts discussed not holding the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in high regard, Kerry Von Erich winning the title, and more.
Kerry died by suicide with a single gunshot to the heart with a .44 caliber pistol on February 18, 1993, on his father’s ranch in Denton County, Texas, just 15 days after his 33rd birthday.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On holding the NWA World Heavyweight Title in high regard: “Yeah, I do. I love the NWA and that and what it stood for.”
On Kerry Von Erich won the NWA World Heavyweight Champion: “When Kerry was? I was shocked, amazed, and a little worried. Because you didn’t know what Kerry was going to do, you know? You didn’t know if he was going to show up, and what kind of shape he was going to be in when he got there. And nobody ever accused Kerry of being a great worker. He excited people but boy, that excitement sometimes was a heavy cost.”
On Kerry not being a great wrestler: “Oh yeah, definitely not… He had the physicality down and all that. But he’s just — he reminded me of a 17-year-old, you know? Just young and happy and full of fun and not a care in the world.”
On Kerry’s short NWA World Heavyweight Title run: “Yeah, absolutely [it was due to his reputation of being unreliable]… Well, I’m sure they were worried [about his drug abuse]. Yeah, I wouldn’t have bet on it.”
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The Legacy of Kerry Von Erich: A Controversial NWA World Heavyweight Champion
Kerry Von Erich, a member of the legendary Von Erich wrestling family, had a tumultuous career in the world of professional wrestling. One of the most notable moments in his career was when he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. However, his reign as champion was short-lived, and his personal struggles overshadowed his accomplishments in the ring.
In a recent episode of his podcast, “The Snake Pit,” WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts discussed his thoughts on the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship and Kerry Von Erich’s title win. Roberts expressed his love for the NWA and what it stood for, emphasizing the prestige and honor associated with holding the championship.
When Kerry Von Erich won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, Roberts admitted to being shocked, amazed, and a little worried. Kerry had a reputation for being unreliable and unpredictable. There were concerns about whether he would show up for matches and what condition he would be in. While Kerry excited the audience with his physicality, Roberts acknowledged that he was not a great worker in terms of technical wrestling skills.
Roberts compared Kerry to a 17-year-old, describing him as young, happy, and carefree. This youthful demeanor may have contributed to his struggles with drug abuse, which ultimately affected his career and personal life. It is believed that Kerry’s reputation for being unreliable and his drug abuse issues played a significant role in his short reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Kerry Von Erich’s title run was cut short due to concerns about his reliability and drug abuse. The NWA likely did not want to risk having an unreliable champion representing their promotion. While Roberts did not explicitly mention Kerry’s drug abuse as the reason for his short reign, he hinted at it by saying he wouldn’t have bet on Kerry’s success.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kerry Von Erich’s reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, his legacy as a member of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty remains intact. The Von Erich family is renowned for their contributions to professional wrestling and their tragic history. Kerry’s untimely death by suicide in 1993 further adds to the tragic narrative surrounding his life and career.
In conclusion, Kerry Von Erich’s win of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was a significant moment in his career. However, his personal struggles, including drug abuse and unreliability, overshadowed his accomplishments in the ring. While his reign as champion was short-lived, Kerry’s legacy as a member of the Von Erich family and his impact on professional wrestling will always be remembered.