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This piece was originally published on December 21, 2023.
We are republishing it withThe Iron Clawnowstreaming on Max.
But in real life, there were actually five Von Erich brothers who entered the ring.
The youngest Von Erich, Chris, doesnt exist in Durkins version of the story.
Still, its hard not to wonder about the ways Chris could have been included.
In the movie, Mike ends up taking Chriss place as the sympathetic runt of the litter.
He died four years later from a self-inflicted gunshot at 21.
(Kerry killed himself on the day he was scheduled to be indicted on drug charges.)
Instead, the film seems to combine elements of Kerrys death with some of Chriss.
Kevin wasnt the only Von Erich brother to get married and have children, though.
Mike was also married at the time of his death, to a woman named Shani Garza.
He left behind two young daughters.
The number of family tragedies only continues piling up the more you zoom out on the family tree.
Durkin understandably wanted to avoid reaching so far and wide to portray the extent of the curse.
But it doesnt get into the story of where the Von Erich family moniker came from.
Per Shoemaker, this apparition sincerely hoped nothing like that would happen to Fritz.
But this ominous detail clarifies just how large Fritzs past loomed over the familys image.
Thats because they werent really Von Erichs.
But some of the most upsetting chapters of the immediate familys story were also unduly left out.
The Fates of Jack Jr. and Sr.
The shock sent him facedown into a puddle of melting snow, where he drowned.
Knowledge of these details might make Fritzs introductory conversation with Doris feel half-baked.
The conversation seems to be entirely focused on money and championship glory rather than on any past tragedy.
