Wrestler
Spot Lights
Kerry Von Erich
Kerry Von Erich knows what it is to be a
champion, and he knows what it takes to
overcome the obstacles a champion faces.
His 11 year career has been filled with
enough misfortune to drive a dozen men
out of the sport. But, as Kerry would
tell you, he's a Von Erich , and
that represents more than a name.
"Ever since we were boys," Kerry
recalls. "our dad [Fritz] told
us we had a special responsibility to do
good things in the world, especially in
the ring. He always reminded us that a
lot of people looked up to the Von
Erichs, and that we could never let the
people down."
Kerry says his father's words have
helped him win many titles, but more
than words inspired him to win the NWA
World title from Ric Flair on May 6,
1984. Three months earlier, his brother
David, whom many picked as the next
champion, died. Kerry received the shot
at Flair in his brother's place.
But as important and memorable as that
victory was, today it's just a distant
memory for Kerry. Now he is obsessed
with the defeat of Jerry "The King"
Lawler, who won the World Class title
from him in Chicago on December 13,
1988.
"Look at what a poor excuse for a
champion Lawler's become," Kerry said.
"The AWA stripped him of their title,
and I'm surprised World Class hasn't
done the same. He always talks about
honor, but that's all it is -- talk.
I've beaten him for the belt before, and
I'll do it again soon."
Lawler, traditionally a fan favorite, is
anything but a fan favorite when
he travels to Texas to face Kerry. Even
before SuperClash, the two had met many
times, with nearly every match ending in
controversy. Kerry blames Lawler for
the confusion.
"He's always bringing some kind of
object to the ring, or hitting me with a
sucker - punch," Kerry accused. "He
knows he doesn't have the ability to
beat me - so he cheats. He can deny it
all he wants, but everybody's seen him
do it. He's a disgrace."
"The King" has a pointed response to his
rival's accusations.
"Don't make us laugh, Kerry," Lawler
remarked. "You're not as pure as you
say you are. Stop trying to fool the
people. We both do what we have to do
to win. Bending the rules from time to
time is part of the game, a game you're
a master of. So stop whining and
complaining and get in the ring."
In addition to his pursuit of Lawler,
Kerry and his brother Kevin are busy
trying to regain the World Class tag
team title they lost to Robert Fuller
and Jimmy Golden on February 17 in
Dallas.
"In many ways, going for those belts
with Kevin is more important to me than
the World Class title," Kerry related.
"Nothing makes me prouder than sharing a
championship with my brother. And
whoever says I can't go after the tag
title and Lawler at the same
time is going to find out I'm tougher
than they thought I was. The Von
Erich's won't be denied!"
