Tag: the von erichs

Wrestling Observer Radio: CM Punk, Vince McMahon biography

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a brand new Wrestling Observer Radio. Author Pat Laprade joined us on the show. 

We went through a cornucopia of topics, including the following:

  • The latest on CM Punk per Dave’s lead story in the latest issue of WON
  • Pat’s review of the Vince McMahon biography by Abraham Josephine Riesman
  • Memories of Bruno Sammartino on the fifth anniversary of his passing
  • Thoughts on the 30th anniversaries of the passing of Andre The Giant, Kerry Von Erich, and Dino Bravo
  • Pat’s new project on Bravo
  • Contract situation with Mercedes Moné and Trinity Fatu
  • Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens

The full video is available for video subscribers at https://video.f4wonline.com/.

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DragonKing Dark: The dark side of World Class Championship Wrestling

Posted on by Karl Stern

My 100 darkest moments in pop culture history rolls on as this week, we return to the world of professional wrestling with, arguably, the first place many people think of when it comes to a lot of young deaths in wrestling: the Dallas, Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling.

WCCW saw many wrestlers die young, the Von Erichs infamously of suicide (mostly), but there were multiple cocaine overdoses, and more.

Let’s look back at the dark side of World Class Championship Wrestling.

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Actress Lily James joins cast of ‘The Iron Claw’ Von Erich biopic

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Actress Lily James has joined the cast of “The Iron Claw,” the upcoming biopic on The Von Erich family.

James’ casting was first reported by Deadline on Monday. The role that James will be playing in the film hasn’t been revealed.

The Iron Claw “follows the rise and fall of the [Von Erich] family dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.” The movie is also set to feature Zac Efron (Kevin Von Erich), Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich), Holt McCallany (Fritz Von Erich), and Maura Tierney (Doris Von Erich).

Deadline wrote about James:

Best known for her strong work in Darkest Hour and Yesterday, James has already had herself quite the year that started with Hulu limited series Pam & Tommy, in which she portrayed Pamela Anderson. The series was a big hit for the streamer and landed 10 Emmy nominations including one for James as well as for best limited series. Her other recent credits include The Dig on Netflix and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!

James most recently wrapped production on Finalmente L’alba opposite Willem Dafoe as well as the ensemble drama Providence opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Himesh Patel. She is repped by UTA and Tavistock-Wood.

“The Iron Claw” is from A24 Films and is being directed by Sean Durkin, who also directed the film “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”

Wrestling Observer Live: Punk buyout, NXT countering ROH

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Wrestling Observer Live with Mike Sempervive is back to talk about all of the news in professional wrestling including the rumors of CM Punk being bought out of his AEW deal, NXT infringing on ROH, Billy Gunn not allowed to appear on Raw, and so much more!

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Maura Tierney signs on to join ‘The Iron Claw’ cast

Posted on by Josh Nason

Another well-known actor is joining the cast of The Iron Claw, the upcoming movie based on the lives of the famed Von Erich family.

Deadline reported Thursday that Maura Tierney has signed on to play Doris Adkisson, the matriarch of the Von Erich clan. She passed away in October 2015 in Hawaii at 82 years old.

Tierney has starred in NBC’s ER and NewsRadio, Showtime’s The Affair, American Rust, and Your Honor, FX’s Rescue Me, and a multitude of other film and TV roles.

The movie is being written and directed by Sean Durkin for A24 and will focus on the rise and fall of the Von Erichs from the 1960s through the present day.

The film has already attracted Zac Efron (High School Musical, Firestarter, The Greatest Beer Run Ever) to play Kevin Von Erich; Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, Shameless) to play Kerry Von Erich; Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, Lights Out) to play Fritz Von Erich; and Harris Dickinson (Trust, The King’s Man) to play David Von Erich.

The Briscoes vs. The Von Erichs added to Ric Flair’s Last Match event

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A new tag team match has been announced for Jim Crockett Promotions Presents: Ric Flair’s Last Match. 

In a bout announced on Wednesday evening, The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) will face The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) of MLW. 

Eight matches have now been advertised for the July 31 event, which will take place as part of Starrcast V and air on FITE TV pay-per-view. 

Here is the lineup: 

Jim Crockett Promotions Presents: Ric Flair’s Last Match (Sunday, July 31) —

  • Ric Flair’s last match (match to be announced)
  • Impact World Champion Josh Alexander defends against Jacob Fatu
  • Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Deonna Purrazzo and Rachael Ellering in a three-way match
  • Rey Fenix vs. Laredo Kid vs. Taurus vs. Bandido
  • The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
  • The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) vs. The Briscoes (Mark Briscoe & Jay Briscoe)
  • Killer Kross (w/Scarlett Bordeaux) vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr.
  • Clark Connors vs. Ren Narita

Zac Efron to star in ‘The Iron Claw’ biopic about the Von Erich family

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The story of the Von Erich family is closer to reaching the big screen.

Deadline reported today that Zac Efron is set to star in the film “The Iron Claw” about the Von Erich family. The movie is a drama and is being written and directed by Sean Durkin.

The report didn’t state which Von Erich family member Efron will be playing.

“Based on the true story of the Von Erichs, the film follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day,” Deadline wrote.

Durkin wrote and directed the critically acclaimed film “Martha Marcy May Marlene” in 2011.

Independent film company A24 is financing and producing “The Iron Claw.”

Deadline first reported in January 2020 that Durkin was working on developing the Von Erich biopic.

In 2019, an episode of Vice TV’s “Dark Side of the Ring” chronicled the tragedy of the Von Erich family. The documentary focused on Kevin Von Erich being the last surviving Von Erich brother. Kevin’s sons Marshall & Ross Von Erich currently compete for MLW.

ESPN also produced an edition of “30 for 30 Shorts” on the Von Erichs in 2015.

Triple threat MLW Tag Team title match announced for Kings of Colosseum

Posted on by Ian Carey

A triple threat match for the MLW World Tag Team Championships has been added to Kings of Colosseum 22. 

The promotion announced on Thursday that Hustle & Power (Calvin Tankman & EJ Nduka) will defend their titles against The Von Erichs (Ross & Marshall Von Erich) and 5150 (Danny Rivera and Slice Boogie) on the show. 

The Von Erichs had been scheduled to challenge 5150 for the belts on January’s Blood & Thunder event from Dallas but tested positive for COVID-19 and were pulled from the show. Boogie and Rivera then dropped the belts to Tankman & Nduka at SuperFight from Charlotte in February. 

MLW Kings of Colosseum 22 takes place Friday, May 13 from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. 

The updated lineup for the show is as follows:

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Richard Holliday (w/ Alicia Atout)
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Holidead to crown the inaugural MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction match: Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
  • MLW World Tag Team Champions Hustle & Power (Calvin Tankman & EJ Nduka) vs. The Von Erichs (Ross & Marshall Von Erich) vs. 5150 (Slice Boogie & Danny Rivera)
  • The Sandman in action

Six-man tag match set for MLW Azteca Underground tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rivals Alex Hammerstone and Richard Holliday are facing off in six-man tag team action at MLW’s Azteca Underground event in Dallas.

MLW has announced that Hammerstone & The Von Erichs (Marshall & Ross Von Erich) vs. Holliday, King Muertes & Mads Krugger will take place at the Friday, April 1 Azteca Underground tapings. The tapings are being held at Gilley’s Dallas.

Hammerstone and Holliday were formerly stablemates in The Dynasty. On an episode of MLW Fusion that aired last month, Holliday turned against Hammerstone and got together with Alicia Atout.

Atout will be in Holliday’s corner for the six-man tag match.

Hammerstone is the current MLW World Heavyweight Champion. He won the title from Jacob Fatu last October.

MLW also has a set of television tapings at Gilley’s Dallas on Thursday, March 31. “Intimidation Games” is the name of that set of tapings.

The updated card for the Azteca Underground show is listed below:

  • Azteca Apocalypto match: LA Park vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Alex Hammerstone & The Von Erichs vs. Richard Holliday, King Muertes & Mads Krugger
  • Bandido vs. Flamita
  • nZo vs. KC Navarro
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Puma King, ACH, and Myron Reed in a four-way match
  • Mexican strap match: Aramis vs. Gino Medina
  • Aerostar, Microman & El Dragon vs. Arez, Mini Abismo Negro, and a mystery partner
  • Octagon Jr. vs. Matt Cross
  • Chik Tormenta vs. Holidead

Von Erichs vs. Ricky & Kerry Morton added to MLW SuperFight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Two pro wrestling families are set to collide at MLW SuperFight later this month.

MLW has announced that Ross & Marshall Von Erich will take on Ricky & Kerry Morton in a tag team match at SuperFight on Saturday, February 26. The tapings are being held at the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ricky & Kerry Morton are making their MLW debuts at SuperFight. It was announced last month that The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) are going on a farewell tour so that Morton can focus more on teaming with his son Kerry and on the behind the scenes of the pro wrestling business.

The Von Erich brothers were supposed to challenge 5150 (Slice Boogie & Danny “Limelight” Rivera) for the MLW Tag Team titles at last month’s Blood & Thunder tapings in Texas, but Ross & Marshall had to pull out of the show due to testing positive for COVID-19.

The updated card for SuperFight is listed below. The event is being taped to air on future episodes of MLW Fusion.

  • MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone defends against Davey Richards
  • Stairway to Hell match: Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
  • Killer Kross returns to MLW
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane defends against Calvin Tankman, Matt Cross, and ACH in a four-way match
  • Ross & Marshall Von Erich vs. Ricky & Kerry Morton
  • nZo vs. KC Navarro
  • Alex Shelley vs. Richard Holliday
  • Trios match: Arez, Gino Medina & Mini Abismo Negro vs. Puma King, Octagon Jr., and a mystery partner
  • Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat appears

Von Erichs out of MLW Tag Team title match at Blood & Thunder

Posted on by Josh Nason

Due to Marshall and Ross Von Erich both testing positive for COVID-19, the brothers are out of Saturday’s MLW Tag Team title match at the Blood & Thunder TV taping in Dallas, Texas.

They revealed the news on Twitter Wednesday night:

The former champions were set to take on current titleholders 5150. It’s unknown at this time if there will still be a title match on the card or not.

Due to the family’s history in Texas, MLW had played up the Von Erichs returning to Dallas for a title match in the promotion for the show.

Here’s the current card for Saturday’s event that will be filmed for future editions of Fusion: Alpha.

  • MLW World Champion Alexander Hammerstone vs. Pagano title match
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Tajiri vs. Myron Reed vs. TBA title match
  • MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane vs. Calvin Tankman title match
  • Rok-C vs. Miranda Gordy
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Mads Krugger
  • KC Navarro vs. Ho Ho Lun
  • ACH vs. Davey Richards
  • Matt Cross vs. TJP
  • EJ Nduka open challenge
  • Arez, Gino Medina and Mini Abismo Negro vs. Aramis, El Dragon and TBA
  • King Muertes, Richard Holliday, Savio Vega, The Saito Brothers in action

Von Erichs to challenge for MLW Tag Team titles at Dallas tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: MLW

The Von Erichs are getting a Tag Team title shot when MLW comes to the family’s original home state of Texas in January.

Ross & Marshall Von Erich will challenge for the MLW Tag Team titles at the promotion’s “Blood & Thunder” tapings in Dallas on Friday, January 21, 2022. The tapings are being held at Gilley’s Dallas.

The announcement was made during an appearance that Ross & Marshall made on 96.7 The Ticket sports radio in Dallas/Fort Worth today.

Los Parks put the MLW Tag Team titles on the line against 5150’s Slice Boogie & Danny “Limelight” Rivera in a street fight at MLW’s War Chamber tapings in Philadelphia earlier this month. Spoilers from those tapings can be found here.

Ross & Marshall Von Erich previously held the MLW Tag Team titles from November 2019 to January 2021. They lost the titles to Los Parks in a match where Tom Lawlor was the special guest referee and cheated against The Von Erichs throughout. It was hyped after that loss that The Von Erichs would focus on their feud with Team Filthy before going after the Tag Team titles again.

Blood & Thunder will be MLW’s first TV tapings of 2022. The promotion will be back at Gilley’s Dallas for tapings on Thursday, March 31.

War Chamber match official for September MLW TV tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A War Chamber match will officially headline MLW’s return to Texas next month.

MLW announced today that the Von Erichs and Team Filthy will face off in a War Chamber match at next month’s television tapings in North Richland Hills, Texas. The tapings are taking place at the NYTEX Sports Centre on Saturday, September 11.

In storyline, Marshall & Ross Von Erich issued the challenge for the War Chamber match and Tom Lawlor accepted. Each team will have four members for the match. MLW hasn’t revealed who Marshall & Ross Von Erich will be teaming with.

Marshall, Ross, Lawlor & Low Ki defeated Contra Unit in a War Chamber match in 2019. Lawlor then turned against the Von Erichs later that year and has been feuding with them since.

The War Chamber is MLW’s version of a War Games match. The War Chamber cage has barbed wire on top of it. The rules for the match are:

  • A coin toss determines which team enters first.
  • One-on-one for five minutes in stage one of the War Chamber.
  • The winner of coin toss comes out for two-on-one.
  • Alternating teams have wrestlers enter every two minutes.
  • Once all combatants are in the War Chamber, victory is won by submission, surrender or pinfall.

Bunkhouse Brawl announced for MLW Battle Riot tapings

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A grudge match between The Von Erichs and Team Filthy is set for MLW’s Battle Riot tapings.

MLW announced today that Marshall & Ross Von Erich will face Tom Lawlor & Kevin Ku in a Bunkhouse Brawl at the Battle Riot tapings. The tapings are being held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 10.

The Von Erichs have been feuding with Lawlor since he turned against them in 2019. This January, Lawlor cost Marshall & Ross the MLW Tag Team titles. Lawlor was the special guest referee for the match where they lost the titles to LA Park & El Hijo de LA Park.

“A Bunkhouse Brawl is a stipulation bout with its roots in southern wrestling dating back decades. For years, Bunkhouse Brawls have been the final stage of vicious feuds. Wrestlers can use whatever they want as weapons are legal,” MLW wrote.

Just make sure to bring your cowboy boots, a durable pair of jeans and a 6-pack of whoop ass as that’s what it will take to win this wild southern stipulation match.”

The Battle Riot tapings will feature MLW’s first live crowd since March 2020. Here’s the updated card for the tapings:

  • 40-man Battle Riot match
  • IWA Caribbean Champion Richard Holliday defends against King Muertes in a Caribbean Rules (anything goes) match
  • Bunkhouse Brawl: Marshall & Ross Von Erich vs. Tom Lawlor & Kevin Ku
  • Davey Richards vs. TJP

Title matches announced for next two weeks of MLW Fusion

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Title matches have been announced for the next two weeks of MLW Fusion episodes.

– MLW Tag Team Champions Marshall & Ross Von Erich will defend their titles against Los Parks on MLW Fusion next Wednesday (January 13). Tom Lawlor will be the special guest referee for the match.

In storyline, the Tag Team title match was made by Salina de la Renta as the executive producer of next week’s MLW Fusion episode. De la Renta said Los Parks haven’t been the same since they left her side, but she cut a deal with LA Park for Park and his sons to re-join Promociones Dorado if she could get them a title match.

The Von Erichs have been MLW Tag Team Champions since November 2019. They retained their titles against The Dirty Blondes (Leo Brien & Michael Patrick) in a Texas Tornado Bunkhouse match at this week’s Kings of Colosseum event.

– The MLW World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line as Jacob Fatu defends against ACH on the MLW Fusion episode that premieres on Wednesday, January 20.

Fatu has been MLW World Heavyweight Champion since July 2019 and most recently retained the title against Davey Boy Smith Jr. in November. CONTRA Unit’s Fatu, Simon Gotch, and Daivari attacked Injustice’s Myron Reed and Jordan Oliver at Kings of Colosseum.

ACH took part in MLW’s 2020 Opera Cup tournament and made it to the semifinals before losing to Lawlor.