On a recent edition of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Von Erich revealed why he never signed a contract with WWE and discussed his sons (Marshall and Ross Von Erich) blazing their own trails within the pro wrestling industry.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On why he didn’t want to sign with WWE: “I did go up and have a few matches for them. 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.”
On being at a point where he was still able to wrestle while spending time with his family: “I got to a point where I could work four or five nights a week at least, and take my family with me sometimes. 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.”
Kevin on his sons’ journeys as pro wrestlers: “Shoot, man. At first, [my emotions were] way worse. Even now when I watch them, I kind of get choked up sometimes. It’s so much, and it’s not something I had planned. Before, I put a paper bag on my head.”
Marshall on discovering this carving commonality: “While we were talking, we looked on the brick wall and there was a faded scratch mark, and we looked at it like a few times, but then we got closer to it, and it said ‘Kev. Dave 1980-something.’ It rocked us because they were exactly our age at that time … That was the confirmation that my brother and I took that as ‘Okay, this is the door that’s open right now. We’ll continue down this journey until another door opens or until God says otherwise.’”
Kevin Von Erich’s life and career are documented in the new film, The Iron Claw, which is currently playing in theaters. Kevin Von Erich is portrayed by Zac Efron in the movie.
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Kevin Von Erich, a WWE Hall of Famer, recently appeared on the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast to discuss why he never signed a contract with WWE and his sons’ journeys in the pro wrestling industry.
Von Erich explained that he didn’t want to sign with WWE because he believed that the business is all about making money, and he wanted to prioritize being a father. While he did have a few matches with WWE, he didn’t want to commit to a full-time contract that would require him to be away from his family for extended periods. He wanted to be able to spend time with his family while still being able to wrestle.
He mentioned that he reached a point in his career where he could work four or five nights a week and even take his family with him on some occasions. This allowed him to balance his wrestling career with his responsibilities as a father. Von Erich emphasized that if he had signed with WWE, it would have been a grind that he wasn’t ready to put himself through, as he wouldn’t have had his heart fully invested in it.
When discussing his sons’ journeys as pro wrestlers, Von Erich expressed his emotions and how proud he is of them. He admitted that at first, it was even more overwhelming for him, and he would get choked up watching them perform. He never planned for them to follow in his footsteps, but seeing them pursue their passion and succeed in the industry fills him with pride.
One of Von Erich’s sons, Marshall, shared an interesting anecdote about discovering a carving on a brick wall that said “Kev. Dave 1980-something,” which coincided with their ages at that time. They took it as a sign and confirmation that they should continue down the path of pro wrestling until another opportunity arises or until they feel guided by a higher power to pursue something else.
In addition to his podcast appearance, Kevin Von Erich’s life and career are depicted in the new film “The Iron Claw,” currently playing in theaters. The movie features actor Zac Efron portraying Von Erich.
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Kevin Von Erich’s decision to prioritize his family over signing with WWE showcases his dedication to being a present father while still pursuing his passion for wrestling. His sons’ journeys in the industry further highlight the family’s legacy and their determination to carve their own paths in the pro wrestling world.