John's Icons of Wrestling: The Von Erichs Quiz

Answer: Jewett

Jack's in ring persona, Fritz Von Erich was billed as being from Berlin, Germany. Jack however was born on August 16, 1929 in Jewett, Texas. Jack's family would later move to Dallas where the young Jack attended high school. Jack played football at Crozier Technical High School. Jack would excel at the discus throw as well. Jack attended Southern Methodist University where he would again play football. Jack would soon leave football behind and give professional wrestling a try.

Jewett, Texas is located in Leon County. It was established in 1871 by the International Railroad Company. The area of Jewett is just over 2 square miles. Jack is the most famous person to hail from Jewett.

Answer: The Beautiful People

Lacey joined Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne on October 1, 2009. Lacey replaced Angelina Love in "The Beautiful People". Lacey would soon begin carrying a pink night stick to the ring. She would call the night stick, "Lacey's Ugly Stick". She would often use the night stick as a weapon against her team's opponents. Lacey along with Velvet and Madison were the TNA Knockout Tag Team Champions. Velvet and Madison would win the belts in a Three Way Match, but Lacey was also recognized as a champion.

Lacey is the daughter of Kerry Von Erich. She is a third generation professional wrestler. Lacey began her career by being trained by Steve Keirn and Tom Prichard. Lacey was signed to Florida Championship Wrestling, it was a development territory for WWE at the time. Lacey retired from professional wrestling in 2010.

Answer: Discus Throw

Kerry much like his dad was an accomplished football player. It was at the discus throw however he excelled. Kerry had broken several records including one set by his father. Kerry qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympic United States team. Unfortunately the United States boycotted the games that year. Kerry decided to join his father and brothers inside the squared circle. Kerry would win several championships throughout his career. He was a one time Intercontinental Champion during his tenure with the then WWF.

President Jimmy Carter made the decision to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics. He was unwilling to participate because of the Soviets war with Afghanistan. Sixty-five other countries also boycotted the Olympics that year. The opening ceremony was held July 19, 1980 in Moscow.

Answer: Ric Flair

This bout was to honor David Von Erich who had recently passed away. The official name of the card was the "David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions". It was held on May 6,1984 and was the main event of the card. Kerry and Ric had wrestled several times before, but Kerry was never able to win the title. Kerry would defeat Ric in front of a crowd of forty thousand plus of his fans at Texas Stadium. Kerry was met by his family outside the ring who celebrated his World Title victory with him. Kerry held the title for eighteen days before losing it back to Flair.

Answer: NWA American Heavyweight Championship

In 1982, Fritz decided to retire from professional wrestling. His opponent would be King Kong Bundy. The match was the main event at the "Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show". The official date of the bout is June 14, 1982. The event was held in Irving, Texas at the Texas Stadium. The two men met in a "Falls Count Anywhere Match". Fritz punished Bundy with the Iron Claw and a steel chair. Fritz would defeat Bundy for his sixteenth and final reign as NWA American Heavyweight Champion.

Fritz was the first man to hold the American Heavyweight Championship. He held it a record sixteen times. Fritz vacated the title as soon as he won it. King Kong Bundy was awarded the belt back on June 15, 1982. Fritz's son, Kevin would defeat Bundy for the championship in September of 1982.

Answer: Kevin

Kevin has stated it was never his intention to perform without wrestling boots. In fact he did wear boots when he first started in the business. He has stated he first wrestled barefoot because another wrestler hid his boots. It was a prank pulled by another performer. Kevin wrestling without shoes became a very successful angle for him. He continued with the angle until the day he retired. Kevin's son, Marshall also wrestles without any footwear.

Kevin was always a strong aerial performer. His leaps off the top rope onto his opponents was always exciting to watch. His barefooted dropkick were always on target. I was always excited to see Kevin perform the dropkick either solo or teaming with one of his brothers.

Answer: Kevin Vaughan

Kevin was brought in as the son of Waldo Von Erich. Waldo was the kayfabe brother of Fritz. He was brought in to help take some of the stress of the rigorous wrestling schedule of Kevin and Kerry. The angle did not work because Kevin was a local football star. The fans became angry at what they thought was dishonesty by Fritz and his sons. The Von Erichs had always been thought of as having integrity and being truthful with their fans.

Kevin did achieve success in World Class Championship Wrestling. He held the World Class Championship Wrestling Television Championship as well the tag team titles on several occasions. Kevin left World Class with no notice to owner, Fritz Von Erich. Fritz broke kayfabe on television and announced Kevin was not really a Von Erich.

Answer: Michael Hayes

The Freebirds and Von Erichs were friends at this time. Kerry was challenging Ric Flair inside a steel cage for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Michael tried to hand Kerry an easy win over Ric Flair. Kerry would not accept Michael's help because he did not want to win by cheating.This enraged Michael who counted a three count in favor of Ric Flair.

As Kerry tried to exit the cage, Terry Gordy slammed the cage door on his head. This was the start of the war between the two teams.

Answer: Jimmy did not have to clean out a pig pen.

David and Jimmy had been battling over the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. Jimmy lost the match and as a stipulation had to be David's valet. David put Jimmy and his valet, Sunshine to work right away. David had Jimmy digging fence hole posts while he shot skeet. He had Sunshine launch the skeet and shot at it. Jimmy dived to the ground thinking David was shooting at him. Jimmy and Sunshine were both soaking wet as they washed David's dog. Sunshine was whining and complaining the entire time. Jimmy and David would get into a brawl when Jimmy refused to clean David's barn while cameras recorded it.

This vignette was one of my all time favorites ever produced. I first read about it in a professional wrestling magazine. I did get to see it several years later and found it hilarious. Jimmy and Sunshine definitely made you believe they were entitled. It was fun to watch them perform everyday chores and whine the entire time.

Answer: Rookie of the Year

Mike made his professional debut on November 24, 1983 against Skandar Akbar. Mike would win his first bout against Akbar. Mike was a gifted athlete much like his older brothers. He however wanted to work as a cameraman rather than a wrestler. Mike would defeat Nikita Koloff, Krusher Khrushchev, and Kevin Kelly for the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year Award. In 1985, Mike was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome after shoulder surgery. Mike would overcome the illness and win "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's" Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year Award in 1985.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated introduced this and many other awards in 1972. Mike Graham was the first wrestler to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Mike's older brother, David was second runner up for the award in 1978. This award has also been won by Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, and Madusa Miceli. Charlotte, Ric Flair's daughter won the award in 2014.