Height: 6'2"

Weight: 254 lbs

Real Name: Kerry Gene Adkisson

DOB: 2/03/60

DOD: 2/18/93

Hometown: Denton, Texas

Other Names: "Modern Day Warrior", Tora No Tsume, Texas Tornado(WWF)

Wrestler Since: 1979

Finishing Maneuver: The Claw

Previous PWI 500 Rankings: #190(1992), #40(1991)

History: In all sports, there are "What Ifs". There are athletes that have such promise, yet never reach the heights that seem their due. In professional wrestling, the Von Erich family certainly qualifies as "What Ifs", as tragedy befell this great wrestling family. One of the most visible tragedies came with Kerry Von Erich.

Kerry Adkisson was born in 1960, one of many sons of the great professional wrestler Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson). At first, Kerry's athletic thoughts turned away from his father's 'second' sport, instead being intent on following Jack into discus-throwing. Kerry would go on to set the junior-world record, as well as breaking the SMU record held by his father. But just as Kerry's career seemed to be chosen, the US boycott of the Olympic Games in 1980 occured, dashing Kerry's hopes to win a gold medal. Knowing that he could not wait four more years, Kerry joined the family business, becoming "The Modern-Day Warrior" Kerry Von Erich.

Kerry would have a great run in the National Wrestling Alliance in the early '80s, immediately becoming the most-popular Von Erich, along with his brothers, David, Kevin & Mike. In the Texas branch of the Alliance, Kerry soon began a great series of matches with the NWA World Champion, Ric Flair. In one of those matches, at Christmas Star Wars '82, Von Erich faced Flair in a "No DQ Steel Cage" Match. Just as Von Erich was about to win the NWA World Title by escaping the cage, the special referee, Michael Hayes, slammed the cage on his head, knocking him out long enough for Flair to win. This led to an epic feud between the Von Erich brothers and Hayes & the Fabulous Freebirds that lasted for years. It also led to Kerry holding an almost-uncountable number of Tag-Team Titles with the NWA Texas and the World Class Championship Wrestling branches.

In 1984, Kerry had to deal with the death of his brother, David, who passed away while touring in Japan. It was reported as an intestinal infection, although some rumors claimed that it was a drug overdose. In May '84, a tribute show was held in David's memory. At the show, Kerry finally realized his dream, defeating Ric Flair to gain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, dedicating it to his brother's memory. Kerry would only hold the belt for a few weeks, before Flair reclaimed the belt. Still, it was one of Von Erich's finest hours. For the next two years, Kerry continued to be a main attraction, wrestling everyone from Flair to a heated feud with Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams. But Kerry's career would soon take a drastic turn.

On June 4th, 1986, Kerry was in a horrendous motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life. With a dislocated hip and a badly injured right leg, Kerry was in bad shape. Doctors tried hard, but could not save his leg, eventually amputating it. For most people, that would be the end of their wrestling career. But Kerry proved he was made of sterner stuff. With a prostetic leg, Kerry returned to the ring, once again joining his brother Kevin in the WCCW Tag-Team ranks. He also became a major contender for the WCCW Heavyweight Champion, nearly winning it once over Al Perez. In 1988, Kerry finally made it, winning the belt four times during the year. In October '88, Kerry faced off against AWA Champion Jerry "The King" Lawler, with the vacated WCCW Title on the line, as well as the AWA belt. Kerry managed to win, briefly unifying the two belts, before he was made to return the AWA belt back to Lawler. The two would face again, in a true unification match, at AWA SuperClash III. This time Lawler got the upper hand, bloodying Kerry so badly that the ref called the match, giving Lawler the AWA and WCCW belts (which would later become the USWF Unified Title).

In 1990, Kerry finally made the jump to the World Wrestling Federation, appearing in the summer as the Texas Tornado. He debuted by defeating Buddy Rose, making a grand entrance into the television world. Despite his prostetic leg, Kerry continued to be a major success, as he quickly moved up the rankings and challenged for the Intercontinental Title. At Summerslam '90, the Tornado took the place of a badly-injured Brutus Beefcake in the title match, and got the upset, beating Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig) to win the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. The Tornado would hold the belt for three months, defending it against anyone who wanted a shot, before Mr. Perfect managed to regain the belt. The two wrestlers would feud for the next few months, with the Tornado being unable to regain the belt.

In 1991, the Texas Tornado's push waned, as he reportedly became addicted to painkillers. He continued to wrestle at the major PPV's throughout the rest of '91, including defeating Dino Bravo at Wrestlemania VII, but no more titles came his way. In 1992, after competing at the Royal Rumble, the Tornado's stock plummeted after another problem with painkillers, as well as other drugs, and he was eventually released by the WWF when he was arrested in February for attempting to falsify drug prescriptions. Kerry would go into rehab, trying to repair his life, but ultimately failed, being arrested once again a year later for a cocaine possession charge. Since he was already on probation, a jail sentence was likely, but, sadly, never happened, as Kerry Adkission commited suicide on February 18th, 1993, dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He was 33 years old.

Pay-Per-View/Show Summary: (45 - 19, 1 DCO, 2 DDQs)
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (October 25, '81) = Von Erich & Terry Orndorff won the World Tag-Team Titles from Chan Chung & the Great Kabuki.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (March 15, '82) = Kerry & Kevin Von Erich fought to a Double Disqualification with Gary Hart & King Kong Bundy in a "Texas Death Steel Cage" Match.
- WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show (June 4, '82) = Von Erich defeated Harley Race in a "No DQ" Match.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (August 15, '82) = Von Erich lost a "Three Falls" Match to the NWA World Champion, Ric Flair.
- WCCW Christmas Star Wars (December 25, '82) = Von Erich fell to NWA World Champion Ric Flair in a "No DQ Steel Cage" Match, with Michael Hayes as the special referee.
- NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza (April 16, '83) = Kerry & David Von Erich defeated the Fabulous Freebirds.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (June 17, '83) = Von Erich & Bruiser Brody won the World Class American Tag-Team Titles from Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy.
- WCCW Indepedence Day Star Wars (July 4, '83) = Kerry, Kevin & David Von Erich won a "Three Falls" Match over the Fabulous Freebirds.
- WCCW Labor Day Star Wars (September 5, '83) = Von Erich defeated Michael Hayes in a "Country Whipping" Match. Later on, Von Erich won, via DQ, over WCCW American Champion Jimmy Garvin. At the end of the night, Kerry, Kevin & David Von Erich lost to the WCCW 6-Man Champions, the Freebirds.
- NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza (November 19, '83) = Von Erich took down the Missing Link.
- WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars (November 24, '83) = Von Erich won a "Loser Leaves Town Steel Cage" Match over Michael Hayes.
- WCCW Christmas Star Wars (December 25, '83) = Von Erich won, via DQ, over Kimala.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (January 30, '84) = Kerry & David Von Erich fell to the Freebirds.
- NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza (April 7, '84) = Von Erich won over Masao Ito.
- WCCW 1st Annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions (May 6, '84) = Von Erich defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Title.
- WCCW Texas Title Tournament (June 23, '84) = Von Erich won over Johnny Mantell, Terry Gordy, and Gino Hernandez. However, an injury forced him out of the tournament, and Hernandez, who moved on, went on to win.
- WCCW Independence Day Star Wars (July 4, '84) = Kerry, Kevin & Mike Von Erich were beaten by the Freebirds.
- Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza (August 24, '84) = Von Erich fought to a Double Disqualification with the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair.
- WCCW Labor Day Star Wars (September 3, '84) = Von Erich won, via DQ, over Bruce Reed in an "Arm Wrestling" Match. Later on, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich won a "Handicap Loser Leaves Town Steel Cage Elimination" Match over the Freebirds to win the WCCW 6-Man Tag-Team Titles.
- WCCW 1st Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 27, '84) = Von Erich won an "Arm Wrestling" Match over Butch Reed. Later that night, Kerry, Mike Von Erich & Bobby Fulton lost the 6-Man Titles to Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams & Jake Roberts.
- WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars (November 22, '84) = Von Erich & Iceman Parsons defeated Jake Roberts & Kelly Kiniski.
- WCCW Christmas Star Wars (December 25, '84) = Von Erich won, via DQ, over the NWA World Champion Ric Flair.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (January 28, '85) = Von Erich won, via DQ, over Kimala. Later in the night, Kerry, Kevin & Mike Von Erich defeated Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams & Jake Roberts.
- NWA Mid-South Superdome Extravaganza (March 30, '85) = Von Erich won, via DQ, over the WCCW American Champion Chris Adams.
- WCCW 2nd Annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions (May 5, '85) = Von Erich fought to a Double Countout with the NWA World Champion, Ric Flair. Later on, Von Erich won a "Hair vs. Gary Hart's Hair" Match over the One Man Gang.
- WCCW Independence Day Star Wars (July 4, '85) = Von Erich won a "Chicago Death" Match over the One Man Gang. Later on, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich lost to Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams.
- WCCW Labor Day Star Wars (September 2, '85) = Kerry, Kevin Von Erich & Brian Adias won the 6-Man Titles from Merk Lewin, Jack Victory & the One Man Gang.
- AWA SuperClash I (September 28, '85) = Von Erich defended the WCWA Texas Heavyweight Title, beating Jimmy Garvin.
- WCCW 2nd Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 6, '85) = Kerry & Kevin Von Erich won a "No DQ Hair-vs-Hair" Match over Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams.
- WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars (November 28, '85) = Kerry & Kevin Von Erich lost a "Steel Cage" Match to Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams, who won the vacated American Tag Titles. Terry Gordy and Brian Adias were the special referees.
- WCCW Christmas Star Wars (December 25, '85) = Kerry & Kevin Von Erich won, via DQ, over the American Tag Champs Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams. Later that night, Kerry, Kevin & Lance Von Erich beat the Freebirds.
- WCCW January Star Wars '86 (January 26) = Kerry & Lance von Erich & Bruiser Brody won, via DQ, over the WCCW Six-Man Tag Champs, the Fabulous Freebirds.
- WCCW 3rd Annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions (May 4, '86) = Kerry, Lance Von Erich & Steve Simpson fought in a "Lumberjacks With Straps Elimination" Match against the Fabulous Freebirds. Kerry was eliminated by Gordy. Lance was the sole 'survivor', which gave the team the 6-Man Tag-Team Titles.
- WCCW Wrestling Star Wars (February 2, '87) = Von Erich won over Brian Adias.
- WCCW 4th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 17, '87) = Von Erich beat Al Perez to gain the WCCW Heavyweight Title (belt later returned due to interference).
- WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars (November 26, '87) = Von Erich quickly defeated the Thing. Later on, Von Erich beat Brian Adias, then pinned Al Perez.
- WCCW Christmas Star Wars (December 25, '87) = Von Erich won a "24-Man Pole Battle Royal". Later in the night, Von Erich lost to the WCCW Champion Al Perez in a "Steel Cage" Match.
- WCCW 5th Annual Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions (May 8, '88) = Von Erich won the WCCW Heavyweight Championship from Iceman King Parsons.
- WCCW 5th Cotton Bowl Extravaganza (October 15, '88) = Von Erich won a "Texas Death Match" over Jerry Lawler to win the AWA & WCCW Heavyweight Championships. The AWA belt was later returned to Lawler.
- AWA SuperClash III (December 13, '88) = Von Erich lost the WCCW Heavyweight Title to the AWA Champion, Jerry Lawler, when the ref called the match due to Von Erich's excessive bleeding.
- USWA Tag-Team Title Tournament (December 1, '89) = Von Erich & Bill Dundee lost in the first round to the eventual winners, Brian Lee & Robert Fuller.
- WWF Saturday Night's Main Event #27 (July 16, '90) = The Texas Tornado defeated Buddy Rose.
- WWF Summerslam '90 = The Texas Tornado won the Intercontinental Championship from Mr. Perfect.
- WWF Saturday Night's Main Event #28 (September 18, '90) = The Texas Tornado retained the IC Title, beating Haku.
- WWF Survivor Series '90 = The Texas Tornado, the Ultimate Warrior & the Legion of Doom fought in an "Elimination" Match against Mr. Perfect & Demolition. The Tornado was eliminated by Mr. Perfect. The Ultimate Warrior was the sole 'survivor'.
- WWF Royal Rumble '91 = The Texas Tornado competed in the Rumble, which was won by Hulk Hogan.
- WWF Wrestlemania VII ('91) = The Texas Tornado defeated Dino Bravo.
- WWF Saturday Night's Main Event #29 (April 15, '91) = The Texas Tornado competed in a Battle Royal, which was won by Mr. Perfect.
- WWF UK Rampage '91 (April 24) = The Texas Tornado lost, via Countout, to Ted DiBiase.
- WWF Summerslam '91 = The Texas Tornado, Ricky Steamboat & Davey Boy Smith won over The Warlord & Power & Glory.
- WWF 1st UK Event (October 3, '91) = The Texas Tornado was pinned by the Mountie. Later in the night, the Tornado competed in a Battle Royal, which was won by the British Bulldog.
- WWF Survivor Series '91 = The Texas Tornado, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter & Tito Santana fought in an "Elimination" Match against Col. Mustafa, Skinner, Hercules & the Beserker. The Tornado's entire team 'survived'.
- WWF Royal Rumble '92 = The Texas Tornado competed in the Rumble, which was won by Ric Flair.
- WWE Wrestlemania XXV (April 5, '09) = Kerry von Erich was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Title Summary:
- NWA Texas Tag-Team Champion w/ Bruiser Brody (7/23/79 - 80)
- NWA Texas Tag-Team Champion(2) w/ Tiger Conway Jr (80)
- NWA Texas Tag-Team Champion(3) w/ Sweet Brown Sugar (8/01/80 - 80)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion w/ El Halcon (8/80 - 10/80)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion (12/28/80 - 81)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion(2) w/ Bruiser Brody (1/11/81 - 5/81)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion(2) (81 - 5/11/81)
- NWA (Texas) World Tag-Team Champion w/ Terry Orndorff (10/81 - 11/81)
- NWA (Texas) World Tag-Team Champion(2) w/ Al Madril (12/81 - 4/82)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion(3) w/ Al Madril (82 - 4/11/82)
- NWA (Texas) World Tag-Team Champion(3) w/ Al Madril (4/82 - 82)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion(3) (3/08/82 - 5/05/82)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion(4) w/ Kevin Von Erich (7/05/82 - 9/12/82)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion(4) (9/05/82 - 1/21/83)
- NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion (1/23/83 - 4/15/83)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion(5) (3/04/83 - 7/11/83)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion(5) w/ Bruiser Brody (6/17/83 - 83)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion w/ Kevin & David Von Erich (7/04/83 - 8/12/83)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(2) w/ Kevin & David Von Erich (12/02/83 - 1/84)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(3) w/ Kevin & Mike Von Erich (5/06/84 - 7/04/84)
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion (5/06/84 - 5/24/84)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(4) w/ Kevin & Mike Von Erich (9/03/84 - 10/27/84)
- NWA American Heavyweight Champion(6) (10/29/84 - 2/08/85)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(5) w/ Kevin & Mike Von Erich (12/31/84 - 7/07/85)
- NWA American Tag-Team Champion(6) w/ Kevin Von Erich (9/20/85 - 10/18/85)
- NWA American 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(6) w/ Kevin Von Erich & Brian Adias (9/02/85 - 1/03/86)
- WCCW World 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(7) w/ Kevin & Lance Von Erich (5/04/86 - 7/04/86)
- WCCW World Tag-Team Champion w/ Kevin Von Erich (11/25/87 - 88)
- WCCW World Heavyweight Champion (3/06/88 - 3/25/88)
- WCCW World Heavyweight Champion(2) (5/08/88 - 10/23/88)
- WCCW World Tag-Team Champion(2) w/ Kevin Von Erich (7/01/88 - 8/12/88)
- WCCW World 6-Man Tag-Team Champion(8) w/ Kevin Von Erich & Michael Hayes (7/08/88 - 88)
- WCCW World Heavyweight Champion(3) (11/04/88 - 12/09/88)
- WCCW World Heavyweight Champion(4) (12/10/88 - 12/13/88)
- WCCW World Tag-Team Champion(3) w/ Kevin Von Erich (2/89 - 2/17/89)
- WCCW World Tag-Team Champion(4) w/ Jeff Jarrett (3/12/89 - 5/19/89)
- USWA Texas Heavyweight Champion (10/20/89 - 12/12/89)
- USWA Texas Heavyweight Champion(2) (1/05/90 - 5/25/90)
- USWA Texas Heavyweight Champion(3) (6/01/90 - 7/13/90)
- WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion (8/27/90 - 11/19/90)
- WWWA Heavyweight Champion (92)
- USWF Heavyweight Champion (12/28/92 - 93)

PWI Achievement Awards: (2 wins, 4 1st RUs, 5 2nd RUs, 1 3rd RU)
- 1980 Most Improved Wrestler, 3rd Runner-Up
- 1983 Tag-Team of the Year, 1st Runner-Up (Kerry, Kevin & Mike Von Erich)
- 1984 Most Inspirational Wrestler, 1st Runner-Up
- 1984 Most Popular Wrestler
- 1984 Match of the Year (Von Erich vs. Ric Flair)
- 1984 Tag-Team of the Year, 1st Runner-Up (Kerry, Kevin & Mike Von Erich)
- 1984 Wrestler of the Year, 2nd Runner-Up
- 1985 Most Popular Wrestler, 2nd Runner-Up
- 1986 Most Inspirational Wrestler, 2nd Runner-Up
- 1988 Most Inspirational Wrestler, 1st Runner-Up
- 1988 Feud of the Year, 2nd Runner-Up (Von Erich vs. Jerry Lawler)
- 1992 Match of the Year, 2nd Runner-Up (Royal Rumble)