Wrestling legend Kevin Von Erich has shared the latest on his sons Ross and Marshall following their recent, impactful appearance on AEW Collision. During the July 20, show, the legendary family aligned with Dustin Rhodes and Kevin made clear that his boys could learn a lot from the former Goldust.
Speaking to Third League Radio, Kevin, the subject of the A24 biopic The Iron Claw, Kevin said he’d gotten “choked up” watching Ross and Marshall in the ring for their matches in AEW and Ring of Honor. Kevin was also asked whether fans can expect to see more of his son in Tony Khan’s company (h/t Fightful.)
“I don’t know what I can say or can’t say. I know they are in negotiations right now. They’re talking to different people… I really like AEW. That’s kind of where I’m leaning right now, but it’s up to the boys, so we’ll just see. We’ll find out.”
The Von Erichs in AEW/ROH
Across both AEW and Ring of Honor, Ross & Marshall Von Erich have six matches to their name and boast an impressive 6-0 record. The pair’s most recent match saw them defeat Alex Reynolds and John Silver during the latest ROH Honor Club TV taping and Kevin taught the Iron Claw to Katsuyori Shibata. Joining AEW/ROH full-time would be a huge step for Ross & Marshall, who are former MLW World Tag Team Champions, and add another incredibly talented tag team to Tony Khan’s roster.
Shibata may be adding another move to his repertoire and it came courtesy of the legendary Kevin Von Erich.
Marshall and Ross Von Erich reunited with Dustin Rhodes on the latest episode of AEW Collision as the company finds itself deep in the heart of Texas which means their father was not far off. The family was backstage with Rhodes who made clear that he had his generational good brothers’ backs.
They may soon have another ally as it was caught by fan footage during Ring Of Honor tapings that Kevin Von Erich was showing Shibata the proper way to administer the treachorous Claw, a move that has put many a many down at the notorious Sportatorium.
Shibata was clearly excited and honored for the moment as the Japanese star was in the ring with Kevin, the brothers and Dustin.
There could be a good trio feud forthcoming as Chris Jericho and The Learning Tree recently had an angle where they took out Shibata, Samoa Joe and HOOK one by one.
Marshall & Ross Von Erich have always been an ultimate babyface tag team as they cut a great deal of their pro wrestling teeth in Major League Wrestling and Japan. The brothers even became the MLW World Tag Champions by defeating MJF and Richard Holliday years back.
Dustin Rhodes continues to wrestle for AEW as he’s been in a select bit of high-profile matches, even competing in a World Title eliminator match. He also recently made clear he has no plans to retire anytime soon.
While The Rock and Roman Reigns aim to bolster The Bloodline on Friday Night SmackDown, Dustin Rhodes and The Von Erichs continue their own familial legacy on AEW Rampage.
Rhodes will be teaming up with Ross and Marshall Von Erich in trios action as AEW is in the thick of “Von Erich Country” down in Texas. The Von Erichs, who are the sons of Kevin Von Erich, expressed their excitement ahead of teaming with Rhodes as Marshall thanked Tony Khan for making the pairing happen.
Ross and Marshall weren’t the only ones excited for the opportunity as Dustin himself was pumped to team up with another legacy family in the “one true sport.”
Rhodes took to social media and was informed by AEW’s Alex Marvez of the additional historical significance that “The Natural” is teaming up with Ross and Marshall.
“A little history lesson for you. Our own Alex Marvez told me last night that their dad Kevin tagged one and only one time with my pops back in 1978. So you can imagine how special this meant to me. #VonErichsAndRhodes #TexasBoys whooping tail!! Trios anybody? Thanks Tony Khan for making this happen. Historical and honored. #keepsteppin and see you tomorrow night on #AEWRampage baby!!!”
A little history lesson for you. Our own @alexmarvez told me last night that their dad Kevin tagged 1 and only 1 time with my pops back in 1978. So you can imagine how special this meant to me. #VonErichsAndRhodes#TexasBoys whooping tail!! Trios anybody? Thanks @TonyKhan for… https://t.co/Yzlrh74bRX
Marshall and Ross Von Erich have already competed in ROH, but the brothers, along with Kevin, shared a good deal of experience in Major League Wrestling. Ross & Marshall actually became the World Tag Team Champions for the promotion when the brothers beat Richard Holliday and former AEW World Heavyweight Champion MJF.
The Von Erich family is one of the most iconic lineages in professional wrestling, with its origins dating back to 1953.
The Von Erichs have seen both highs and lows throughout their lives, so it’s only fitting that a biopic about the legendary family is set to be made.
‘The Iron Claw,’ named after Fritz Von Erich’s iconic finishing move, will see Zac Efron (Firestarter, The Greatest Showman) involved, but he’ll be working without the family.
No Involvement
SEScoops has learned that the surviving members of the legendary Von Erich family are not involved with the production of The Iron Claw.
Kevin Von Erich is the last surviving son of Fritz Von Erich. His sons, Marshall and Ross Von Erich, currently wrestle as a tag team for Major League Wrestling (MLW).
Even without the Von Erich’s involvement, the film will go ahead, produced and financed by A24 (Euphoria, Ramy.)
Sean Durkin (The Nest) is on board to direct.
A synopsis for the film is as follows:
“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.”
Synopsis for The Iron Claw
The Von Erich Family tragedy
The Von Erich name began in wrestling when Fritz Von Erich entered the industry in the early 50s.
Fritz would have six children, almost all of whom would meet tragic ends.
Jack Adkinson Jr. died aged 6 after being shocked unconscious and drowning in a puddle, and David Von Erich died in 1984, which many believe was due to an overdose.
Kerry Von Erich, who would have a reign as WWF Intercontinental Champion, died via suicide in 1993, and his brother Mike would also end his own life four years later.
After the death of Mike, Chris Von Erich took his own life in 1991, leaving Kevin Von Erich as the only surviving son of Fritz.
The third generation of Von Erichs includes Lacey Von Erich, who wrestled for TNA Wrestling and retired in 2010, and Ross and Marshall Von Erich, who compete to this day for MLW.
Major League Wrestling presented an episode of Fusion this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show emanated from Philadelphia’s famed 2300 Arena and featured an 8-Man tag-team main event.
The full episode of the show can be viewed in the player below:
MLW Fusion 3/21/20 Quick Results:
El Lindaman defeated Zenshi
The Blue Meanie defeated Richard Holliday via count-out
Killer Kross, Davey Boy Smith Jr., Ross & Marshall Von Erich defeated Tom Lawlor, Dominic Garrini, Erick Stevens, & Kit Osbourne
The main event of Fusion this week featured an 8-man tag team match as Tom Lawlor’s Team Filthy took on the Von Erich brothers, Killer Kross, and Davey Boy Smith Jr. Last week on Fusion, Lawlor was disqualified in his singles match against Kross setting up this week’s main event.
It was noted on commentary that at times this match resembled the old Philadelphia Flyers games from back in the team’s Broad Street Bullies days.
The Von Erich’s would take control early before Ross missed a knee in the corner which allowed Team Filthy the advantage. A hot tag would later bring in Kross, however, and he would suplex all of Lawler’s cronies.
Kross accidentally hit the referee, however, taking him out of action. This allowed the former Rip Von Erich, and Team Filthy yoga instructor Kit Osbourne to land a low blow on Davey Boy Smith Jr. This brought in Marshall Von Erich who gave the imposter Von Erich an Iron Claw Slam followed by a moonsault to get the pin.
The end of the match did little to stop the brawl, however, as the babyfaces continued to take it to Team Filthy member Osbourne after the match.
It was right in the show’s closing moments when King Mo attacked Killer Kross from behind backstage and announced that he and American Top Team have joined Team Filthy.
It was announced this week on Fusion that Mance Warner had been attacked at the pay window by Maxwell Jacob Friedman recently, and MLW officials banned MJF from the 2300 Arena as a result.
It was also arranged that Richard Holliday would face a mystery opponent this week, something Holliday’s lawyer/father was likely not pleased about.
Warner chose someone with a lot of history in the former ECW Arena as the Blue Meanie would take on the current possessor of the Caribbean Championship.
Holliday was distracted by Warner at the commentary booth, however, and it would end up costing him the match. He took the time to pour out one of Warner’s light beers but the Southern Psychopath would then blow beer mist in his face and prevent him from getting back in the ring in time to meet the referee’s count. As a result, the Blue Meanie picked up a victory inside the ECW Arena via count-out. The loss will no doubt not sit well with the members of the Dynasty.
MLW fans were also treated to a special cooking show this week featuring LA Park and El Hijo de LA Park. The Father and son combo cooked up sausage and eggs while stating they are after some championship gold in MLW.
The segment ended when LA Park grew upset about not having his chopping board or being able to add onions to the meal.
This week’s show kicked off with a high-paced match between El Lindaman and Zenshi. Zenshi came into the match with a taped-up shoulder and El Lindaman was not shy about focussing on his opponent’s injured limb throughout the match. In the end, however, it was the member of OVE’s vicious suplexes that would earn him the victory here. He hit a blue thunder bomb followed by a tiger suplex to get the win.
Brian Pillman Jr. Faces Jordan Oliver Next Week
Back to Back Rookie of the Year!!! Wish me luck as I plan to do the same in 2020!!! pic.twitter.com/8F4oTJKYKK
It was also announced on MLW Fusion this week that Brian Pillman jr. will take on Jordan Oliver next week. Pillman and Injustice have been at odds since the Opera Cup last year. The members of Injustice were alternates in the tournament and attacked Pillman backstage at the venue. Pillman made it all the way to the finals, eventually losing to his Hart Foundation stablemate, Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Pillman has since said he is going to be dropping weight so that he can compete in MLW’s middleweight division. He will be looking to earn a shot against middleweight champion Myron Reed. He’ll get his chance to show what he can do as a middleweight next week when he takes on Reed’s stablemate Jordan Oliver.
That match is in addition to King Mo vs Low-Ki also scheduled for next week’s show.
Major League Wrestling presented Fusion this weekend on BeIN Sports and YouTube. The show emanated from Texas again this week and featured the main event of Tom Lawlor taking on Ross Von Erich.
MLW 2/22/20 Quick Results:
Logan Creed defeated Moonshine Mantell
Erick Stevens defeated Douglas James
King Mo defeated Dr. Drax
Ross Von Erich defeated Tom Lawlor via DQ
The full show can be viewed in the player below:
Here are 6 takeaways from MLW Fusion 2/22/20:
Team Filthy Adds Member, Attack The Von Erichs Texas Style
Last week’s episode of Fusion saw the Von Erich brothers successfully retain the MLW tag team titles against the Dynasty in front of a raucous Dallas crowd. This week, Ross Von Erich took on Tom Lawlor in the night’s main event.
Ross looked to have Lawlor set up for the Iron Claw but Team Filthy member Dominic Garrini interfered and caused the DQ. Marshall Von Erich came out to even up the odds but Erick Stevens ran out and appeared to join Team Filthy as he joined in on the beatdown on the Von Erich brothers. With the 3-on-2 advantage, Team Filthy used cowbells and bull rope to attack the Von Erichs and then even disrespected the state flag of Texas in the middle of the ring to close the show.
King Mo has continued to train with American Top Team since signing with MLW. He took on the dastardly Dr. Dax this week after having antagonized Low-Ki in a backstage segment recently. Mo pointed out that Low-Ki trains with the Gracie family and earlier in his career, Mo KO’d Roger Gracie.
King Mo made Drax tap to the rear-naked choke for the victory.
Gorgon/Grogan Gone, Logan Creed Has Arrived In MLW
Last week on MLW, Mance Warner was able to gain access to the building only after bribing the Dynasty’s giant to allow him in the building. This week, the former Gorgon/Grogan announced that his name is Logan Creed and he is no longer a member of the Dynasty.
Creed kicked off this week’s episode of Fusion in a match against Moonshine Mantell. He picked up the victory with a power-bomb.
Before he joined Team Filthy in the night’s closing segment, Erick Stevens cut a promo in the back saying he’s targetting a match with Davey Boy Smith Jr. The commentary team noted that Stevens was not wasting any time in MLW by challenging the top contender to Jacob Fatu’s MLW World Championship.
Stevens took on Douglas James this week on Fusion. He’d pick up the victory with his Sarasota Screwdriver finisher.
MLW Top-10 Rankings From Pro Wrestling Illustrated
MLW aired a segment this week featuring a countdown of the top-10 wrestlers in the promotion as determined by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The PWI top-10 for MLW is as follows:
MLW World Champion: Jacob Fatu (Contra Unit)
Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Opera Cup Winner) (Hart Foundation)
Alexander Hammerstone (National Openweight Champion) (Dynasty)
Los Parks return next week. This will be LA Park’s return to the promotion after dropping the MLW World title match to Jacob Fatu at SuperFight. Injustice will also take on the team of Zenshi and Laredo Kid.
MLW has a joint show coming up on March 13th with AAA in Tijuana:
Ross and Marshall Von Erich are the current MLW tag team champions. They will both compete in single’s matches on January 11th, 2020 when MLW presents Zero Hour from Dallas, Texas. The Von Erichs competed in the War Chamber match for MLW in North Richland Hills, Texas back in September.
Ahead of the brothers’ return to Texas, they spoke to Dallas Morning News about continuing the family legacy.
Kevin Von Erich moved with his boys to Hawaii from Texas. Ross and Marshall discussed the move during the interview.
“My dad saw a lot of tragedy in Texas,” Marshall said. “Everything there was reminding him of his brothers.”
“We’re country boys from Texas,” Ross said of living in Hawaii. “Fishing, hunting, surfing — that’s what country boys do here. It’s the same lifestyle for us, just a different environment.”
In terms of getting into wrestling, the Von Erichs have had offers from WWE but their current deal with MLW allows them the freedom to also help their Dad out on the ranch in Kauai.
“I kind of knew subconsciously that this wrestling thing would be there one day,” Ross said.
Court Bauer has emphasized that MLW wants Ross and Marshall to be their own people, not replicas of their father and uncles.
“Ross and Marshall must have their own identities,” Bauer explained. “They must be their own men. If they become replicas … we’ll just be doing a karaoke version of the Von Erichs.”
Both wrestlers utilize the Iron Claw, however, and walk to the ring to the familiar sounds of “Stranglehold.” Other nods to the past with a more negative connotation will not be done, however, Bauer stressed.
“I can’t tell you how many times [a wrestler would] bring up the drug past, dead uncles, and all this stuff we really can’t do anything about,” Marshall said.
“Our dad would call that cheap heat,” Ross added.
“We will never exploit or try to get heat with the family’s past,” Bauer said. “I would never do that. That’s lowbrow stuff.”
The piece by the Dallas Morning News goes into great detail regarding the Von Erich family history in wrestling and the new ground Ross and Marshall are breaking in MLW. The article can be read in its entirety here.
Dustin Rhodes recently took to Twitter to express his desire for a Rhodes brothers vs Von Erich brothers match to take place. The Von Erichs are the current MLW Tag Team Championships and Dustin and his brother Cody are scheduled to team up next on the January 8th edition of Dynamite against the Lucha Bros.
Dustin posted the following to Twitter in regard to a possible match between the two famed families.
MLW’s Court Bauer responded to Rhodes’ comments noting that the Von Erichs and MLW will be in Texas on January 11th, 2020 for Zero Hour. AEW recently ran events in Garland and Corpus Christie, Texas as well.
This is the first time Bauer has publicly acknowledged anything regarding an MLW and AEW relationship. Dustin liked the Tweet posted by Bauer as well.
Several wrestlers work for both AEW and MLW such as Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Jimmy Havoc. This is the first time either side has acknowledged doing business on this level, however.
Dusty Rhodes actually wrestled on the 3rd ever MLW event in 2002. Steve Corino defeated both Rhodes and Terry Funk in a triple threat match that night.
MLW Zero Hour
The following matches are booked for MLW’s return to Dallas, Texas on January 11th, 2020.
Barbed Wire Match Mance Warner vs Jimmy Havoc
Ross Von Erich vs Tom Lawlor
Marshall Von Erich vs Maxwell Jacob Friedman
National Openweight Championship Alex Hammerstone vs Aerostar
Ross and Marshall Von Erich recently debuted for Major League Wrestling at Fury Road in Milwaukee. They teamed with Tom Lawlor to take on the controversial Contra Unit. The match did not air on the live broadcast but will air on Fusion at a later date.
The two brothers recently appeared on the WINCLY podcast and opened up about their family legacy. They also spoke about how the recent “Last of the Von Erich’s” documentary produced by VICELAND impacted their father, Kevin Von Erich.
“The producers of that show and everyone are such hard workers. What helped is they were all wrestling fans,” Marshall said of the making of the film. “They genuinely loved wrestling. So, you didn’t have someone who wasn’t a fan making a documentary. We were so happy with the outpouring of support that came from it and how supportive everybody was for my dad; it gave people the chance to know my dad a little better. We couldn’t have been happier with it.”
MLW officially announced the brothers’ signing last month.
“(Kevin Von Erich) is trying to use his story for good because death can do two things as my dad says. It can make you hard toward the world or compassionate for those who suffer,” Ross said of his father.
“Going through what my dad went through and seeing someone lose a brother, a sister, lose a parent. He knows that pain it brings. Sometimes it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Before we are wrestlers or anything else, we are human beings. We learn to love our neighbors and use the story for good. I think the Vice piece helped capture that.”
The full interview can be listened to in the player below:
Kevin Von Erich was featured recently in the Vice documentary “The Last of the Von Erichs.” He was a guest recently on Busted Open Radio.
“Do your best and trust God. It works for me and I’m sure it’ll for you too,” Kevin said on the show. “I just that hope my story can help some other people so that it’s a benefit to the world.”
Kevin’s boys Marshall and Ross also appear in the documentary and were recently signed to Major League Wrestling and will debut for the promotion on June 1st. He spoke about how his story is now an uplifting one despite the tragedy which has occurred in the past.
“This is more beautiful than the blessing of silk,” Kevin spoke of his current situation. “To have all my children with me out here. We all live on one 27-acre farm out here.”
Kevin and his family moved to the Hawaiian island of Kauai in 2007. Ross and Marshall are still based out of the island.
“They take care of me, all the kids take care of me,” he continued. “They live by themselves, you know, but it’s love. We live like Hawaiians lived 1000 years ago, I think. A village is like a family.”
The full interview can be listened to in the player below:
Major League Wrestling (MLW) has signed third generation stars Marshall and Ross Von Erich to multi-year contracts. The news was first reported by Sports Illustrated.
Marshall and Ross are the sons of Kevin Von Erich and grandsons of the late family patriarch Fritz Von Erich. The duo has been honing their skills as a tag team around the world, competing in Israel, England, Australia, Texas and Oklahoma.
By signing with MLW, the Von Erichs are ready to make an impact on then national stage. They will debut for MLW on June 1st at Fury Road.
“Signing with MLW is a big deal for,” Ross told SI. “They are the promotion that has allowed us to be with our dad, help out around the ranch, and still wrestle.”
“We’re able to continue the legacy,” added Marshall. “It’s humbling, we’re honored, and it’s the perfect timing—we’ve never been this ready for this big a stage before.”
MLW CEO Court Bauer has been working on this deal since January. Bauer says the Von Erichs are determined to write a new chapter in the family’s legacy.
“It’s poetic,” said Bauer, who noted that the contract still allows Ross and Marshall the opportunity to work in Israel and for Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan. “They’re fighting for their family name and their future. They represent a new hope and a new chapter in the family’s fabled story.”
For more on the Von Erichs joining Major League Wrestling, visit MLW.com.
Ross and Marshall Von Erich (sons of Kevin Von Erich) will be getting WWE tryouts next month. Both men previously worked with TNA and got over in the Dallas market, but were never offered long term deals.
Also scheduled for that tryout camp is Matthew Riddle, a former UFC fighter who has been training for a few months at the Monster Factory. He’s gotten rave reviews from Sean Waltman and the Blue Meanie for his look, natural physique and athletic ability. Riddle actually defeated UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in high school at the New York state championships.
Riddle’s wife, a former college gymnast, is still training with him, but he’s picking up pro wrestling faster than she is. He’s always wanted to be a pro wrestler but went the MMA route first.
There are several wrestlers from Texas attending the camp.
– TNA President Dixie Carter announced on social media that Ross and Marshall Von Erich, sons of the legendary WWE Hall Of Famer Kevin Von Erich, will be making their return at next month’s Impact Wrestling television taping at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Their father, Kevin Von Erich, is also scheduled to appear.
Dixie wrote the following on Twitter about the return of the Von Erichs:
– Drew Galloway, the former Drew McIntyre in WWE, wrote the following on his official Twitter account regarding his official TNA debut at the Impact Wrestling television taping in Glasgow, Scotland earlier this week.
WWE Hall Of Famer Kevin Von Erich recently posted the following on his official Facebook account regarding his sons Ross Von Erich and Marshall Von Erich wrestling at this past Sunday night’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view:
“What a great feeling to see your sons rise to the occasion. The media blitz before the show, I watched the pressure build, and build, I saw the pressure on the boys faces, I was nervous for them, even though I’ve seen that look on my own face and on my brothers, they were tough, and rather than be fearful, they trusted Him and attacked. That is what a Father wants from his son, to do his best in the face of incredible odds. They had their first real match, the pressure was on and they poured their guts into it. From here they will grow, & experience things that will sharpen them, until they are just like we were. That show was beautiful to me, the response from the fans, awesome, and this first step by my sons is to be the first step into a great new chapter in our lives. They didn’t step away they stepped up, and can only go onward and upward from here. For sure I just had the best Father’s Day a man could ask for.”