The Iron Claw: Is The Real Kevin Von Erich Still Involved In Wrestling?

Summary Kevin Von Erich's true story is chronicled in The Iron Claw, a biopic considered one of the best films of 2023.

Kevin Von Erich chose not to pursue a career in WWF, focusing mostly on his father's promotion instead.

Despite his retirement in 1995, Kevin Von Erich has made wrestling appearances and remained connected to the sport.

Kevin Von Erich is one of the main characters in The Iron Claw and is the last living Von Erich brother. Kevin Von Erich's true story and rise to become a professional wrestler is chronicled in Sean Durkin's 2023 biopic, which is widely considered one of the best films of the year. The Iron Claw was released on December 22, 2023 and is currently streaming exclusively on Max. The Iron Claw instantly became one of the best wrestling films ever made, joining the esteemed ranks of The Wrestler (2008) starring Mickey Rourke and Foxcatcher (2015) starring Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, and Steve Carell.

Similar to Foxcatcher, The Iron Claw is based on a real-life tragedy that completely revolves around the competitive world of professional wrestling. Kevin Von Erich, played by Zac Efron in a career-best performance, is the second-eldest Von Erich brother in real life and the film. Tragically, all four of Kevin's brothers passed away at relatively young ages and were also deeply invested in the world of professional wrestling thanks to their father, Fritz Von Erich. Kevin expressed his support of the film after its premiere at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 8, 2023, although he disagreed with its portrayal of his father.

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Kevin Von Erich Officially Retired From Wrestling In 1995

Kevin's career never took off as part of the WWF

Kevin's last major victory was winning the North American heavyweight title as part of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1995.

Von Erich's career as a professional wrestler spanned nearly two decades and lasted from 1976 to 1995. He spent most of his career wrestling for his father's promotion, World Class Championship Wrestling, as depicted in The Iron Claw. Kevin's father sold the WCCW to establish the United States Wrestling Association, which Kevin was notably not a supporter of. He had a brief stint in the WWF in 1991 and also competed in the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico that same year. His last major victory was winning the North American heavyweight title as part of the National Wrestling Alliance in 1995.

Unlike his brother Kerry, Kevin did not spend much of his career as part of the WWF (now WWE). Kerry wrestled for the WWF between 1990 and 1992, but Kevin has commented on why his career never went in that direction."They did ask me, I just didn’t want to. I wrestled all those guys anyway and by that time, I was at the end of my career. I didn’t plan on getting old in the ring. When men get old in the ring, it’s a sad thing, I didn’t want to be like that" (via Fightful). Other than making various guest appearances in the ring since his retirement, Kevin Von Erich has kept true to his beliefs.

Related Every Death In The Iron Claw Explained The Iron Claw tells the true story of the Von Erichs, a family of wrestlers that experienced unbelievable tragedy, including several family deaths.

Kevin Von Erich Has Made Wrestling Appearances Since Retirement

He has appeared alongside his pro-wrestler sons in guest appearances

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All five Von Erich brothers and their father Fritz were elected to the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2009.

After officially retiring in 1995, Kevin Von Erich still remained part of the world of professional wrestling. He has continued to be recognized for his signature iron claw for decades. All five Von Erich brothers and their father Fritz were elected to the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2009. He made an appearance on the WWE Raw Homecoming show in 2005 and followed that up with another guest appearance alongside his son Ross, who is also a professional wrestler, in 2006. Kevin also appeared in the documentary Heroes of World Class Wrestling in 2006 which chronicled WCCW and the Von Erich family.

Although Kevin Von Erich did not participate much as a wrestler in the WWE, he eventually sold the rights to the WCCW in order for the WWE to broadcast classic matches in 2006. Today, Kevin has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Kevin married his wife Pam in 1980, who is portrayed by Lily James. The two live in Hawaii and have four children, two of whom, Ross and Marshall, are a professional wrestling tag team. Ross and Marshall Von Erich wrestle for All Elite Wrestling and its sister promotion Rings of Honor.

Related Every Wrestling Match In The Iron Claw, Ranked Worst To Best There were plenty of incredibly intense wrestling matches in The Iron Claw, which told the heartbreaking true story of the Von Eric family.

Kevin Von Erich's Last Wrestling Appearance Was In 2023 With His Sons

Von Erich briefly came out of retirement in 2017

Kevin Von Erich has returned to the ring recently alongside Ross and Marshall. The trio competed together in 2017 at the Rage Wrestling Mega Show in Tel Aviv, Israel, for which Kevin came out of retirement at the age of 60. Together, the Von Erichs defeated their opponents in what was Kevin's first legitimate professional wrestling match in 22 years. Kevin recently appeared in the ring alongside Ross and Marshall in episodes of All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite and Rampage in December 2023, just a few weeks before The Iron Claw was released.

Related Why Kevin Von Erich Wrestles Barefoot In The Iron Claw Zac Efron's character in The Iron Claw Kevin Von Erich notably wrestles barefoot even though his opponents and teammates step into the ring in boots.