Chavo Guerrero has praised the efforts of the upcoming The Iron Claw as a service to the legendary Von Erich family.
The Iron Claw delves into the lives and numerous tragedies of the Von Erich wrestling family. The wrestling lineage began with Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Adkisson,) and his sons would also find success in the squared circle. The Von Erichs are still a force in wrestling today with Marshall & Ross Von Erich competing to this day.
Chavo Guerrero on The Iron Claw
Chavo Guerrero is, like so many, excited to see The Iron Claw in cinemas later this month. The ex-Superstar is tied to the film as the official wrestling coordinator and has worked with the cast to create an accurate and compelling performance. Appearing on the Insight podcast, Guerrero spoke about the film and how it effectively represents the Von Erichs.
“It’s doing one of the most influential families a service. It’s portraying their story and not making it a martyr film… They’re actually making this movie, a really true awesome movie. It’s not a wrestling movie. It’s about a family who happens to be wrestlers.”
Working with the Cast
Guerrero’s role as the film’s wrestling coordinator is the latest big project that the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has been tied to. On the podcast, Guerrero spoke about the connections he was able to make with the cast of The Iron Claw.
“I’ve created a bond. Wrestling creates a bond with people. Being on the road and traveling, being in the trenches with other wrestlers of course but also when I’m training actors, there’s this trust we have to build with each other.”
You squish in as much as you can, whatever they can absorb. Every actor is different. Zac [Efron] was able to absorb a lot so we kind of sped him through it but I threw a lot at him. When you’re creating a scene, there are a lot of things you have to take into consideration. We have to take in the script, what the director wants, how the DP [Director of Photography] wants to shoot it. But also what your actors can and can’t perform. So you have to work within the parameters.
“Once I can get them to give me trust and just know that I’m never going to put them in harm’s way. Safety is the number one port of order for me. Of course we’ve got to get the shot I have an actor to protect. So the number one thing is safety and I won’t let them do anything that I’m sure they can’t repeat a hundred times. It’s one of those things. You know there are fluke accidents and freak accidents that happen.”
Guerrero added that in a way, the actors of the film already know some of the fundamentals of wrestling, even if they don’t know that they know.
“I explain to my actors, the same thing with my GLOW girls, everybody on that awesome Netflix show. I explain to them, ‘Y’all know how to wrestle. You just don’t know you know yet.’ They’re like ‘What do you mean?’ So I portray it to acting a lot. What do you do in acting? You’re convincing the studios that you’re better looking than you are, you’re a better actor than you are, you’re taller than you are. You’re much more handsome or much more beautiful than you are actually are.
“That’s what I’ve been doing in wrestling for the last 25 years. People, every time they see me they go ‘Gosh you’re a lot bigger.’ Yeah, because I portray myself a lot bigger.”
MJF has a role in The Iron Claw but his role was originally much bigger than what made the final cut. Click here to find out more.
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