Pro wrestling is storytelling, and ‘The Iron Claw’ may be the latest and best example of that.
While quality movies about professional wrestling are few and far between — ‘Ready to Rumble,’ anyone? — there’s no denying that there are plenty of behind-the-kayfabe stories that are made for the big screen.
Starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, making its way to the silver screen in December is ‘The Iron Claw,’ a film that tells the story of the Von Erichs (real name Adkisson), a family of wrestlers which rose to stardom in the late ’70s and ’80s. As is unfortunately the case with a sizeable portion of wrestlers, though, the film will focus on both the triumphs of the Von Erichs as well as the infamous tragedies that befell the family since their arrival in the squared circle.
Distributed by Academy award-winning production company A24 Films, ‘The Iron Claw’ is sure to tug at heartstrings — and tag ropes — this holiday season. Here’s what to know about ‘The Iron Claw’s’ subjects, cast, release date and more:
Who are the Von Erich brothers?
Better known as the Von Erich family, the Von Erich brothers are a group of Texas-based wrestlers who rose to prominence in the 1980s, during wrestling’s famed territory days.
Heralded for their charisma, good looks and athletic ability, five of the six brothers wrestled for their father’s promotion, World Class Championship Wrestling, both as singles stars and tag team partners; Kevin, Kerry, David, Chris and Mike all held championships in WCCW as well as the National Wrestling Alliance.
Father, Fritz Von Erich (real name Jack Adkisson), rose to fame in the 1950s as a villain, portraying a Nazi character when he wrestled. He later founded WCCW in the 1960s.
The Von Erich family became local celebrities in Texas with their reach extending beyond. They starred in commercials and helped build WCCW to become the nation’s most successful wrestling promotion, which also resulted in a syndicated TV program. They were famed rivals of The Fabulous Freebirds, with whom the Von Erichs had an all-time great feud in the 1980s.
The family, though, fell on hard times amid their success over the decade, with four of the five brothers dying between 1984 and 1993. David was found dead in a Japan hotel room in 1983 while wrestling for All Japan Pro Wrestling at age 25. Three other brothers died by suicide; Mike in 1987 at age 23; Chris in 1991 at age 21, followed by Kerry’s death in 1993 at age 33.
Jack, the eldest of the Von Erich brothers, died at age 6 outside of the family home; he was electrocuted and subsequently drowned.
Of the Von Erich family, Kerry eventually made it to WWF (now known as WWE) in the early ’90s, rebilled as the ‘Texas Tornado.’ He would spend a few years with the promotion before departing in August 1992.
Kevin’s two sons, Ross and Marshall, carry on the Von Erich legacy, wrestling as a tag team. Kerry’s daughter, Lacey, wrestled for TNA Wrestling, where she was a one-time Knockouts champion.
The film’s name takes after the finishing hold made famous by the Von Erich family.
‘The Iron Claw’ cast
‘The Iron Claw’ features a cast of actors as well as wrestlers:
Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich;Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich;Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich;Stanley Simons as Mike Von Erich;Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich;Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich;Brady Pierce as Michael ‘P.S.’ Hayes;Aaron Dean as Ric Flair;Kevin Anton as Harley Race;Cazzey Louis Cereghino as Bruiser Brody;Chavo Guerrero as Edward Farhat, a.k.a. The Sheik;Ryan Nemeth as Gino Hernandez.
Chris Von Erich, the youngest of the Von Erich family, will not appear in the movie, as he was removed from the script in order to consolidate characters, according to director Sean Durkin.
‘The Iron Claw’ release date
Premiering in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 8, the film is scheduled to be released in the United States on Dec. 22, 2023 and will be distributed by A24 Films.
‘The Iron Claw’ reviews
As of Dec. 13, early reviews have praised the film. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes currently polls reviews at 90%, based on 48 reviews.