David Von Erich

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David Von Erich
Statistics
Ring name(s)	David Von Erich
Billed height	6' 5" (1,96 m)
Billed weight	260 lb (118 kg)
Born	July 22, 1958 Denton, Texas
Died	February 10, 1984 (heart attack/acute enteritis)
Trained by	Fritz Von Erich
Debut	1977

David Allen Adkisson (July 22, 1958 – February 10, 1984) was an American professional wrestler famous under the ring name David Von Erich (of the famous Von Erich Family). He was the son of Fritz Von Erich and the brother of Kerry, Kevin, Mike and Chris.

[edit] Career

David Von Erich, the "Yellow Rose of Texas", was the son of Fritz Von Erich. David was the second oldest wrestling son, and was the son whom everyone thought would win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He often wrestled Ric Flair for that title.

David was a high school basketball star and a football player at Lake Dallas High School. He won a scholarship to North Texas State University to play basketball and football. David dropped out to pursue a wrestling career that he had started in 1977.

David died on February 10, 1984. Theories about what caused his death have circulated for years. The Von Erichs claimed that David's death was a heart attack caused by ruptured intestines, which resulted from acute enteritis. Others have speculated that David died of a drug overdose and use (Ric Flair mentions this speculation in his autobiography and claims that the Von Erich's long-time friend Bruiser Brody removed the evidence). It's worth noting that in January of 1984 the NWA voted to make David the NWA World Champion. He would have won the title in March or April of 1984. He is the only person to be voted to win the championship but die before actually winning it.

On May 6, 1984, David's brother Kerry defeated Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Texas Stadium. It was a tribute to David, who had been considered to win the title from Flair before his death. The NWA however allowed only a brief title reign for Kerry, as he was to lose the title back to Flair 18 days later in Yokohama, Japan.

[edit] Championships and accomplishments

All Japan Pro Wrestling

AJPW All Asia Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Kevin Von Erich

National Wrestling Alliance

National

NWA North American Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Dory Funk, Jr.
NWA United National Championship (1 time)

Regional

NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA Florida Television Championship (1 time)
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) - with Kevin von Erich

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked him # 58 of the 500 best wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
PWI also ranked him # 23 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with any combination of him and his brothers, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich.
PWI Editor's Award due to his death in 1984.

World Class Championship Wrestling