3: Kerry Von Erich
A member of the illustrious and tragic Von Erich wrestling family, Kerry one of 6 brothers – the children of Dallas wrestling legend and promoter of World Class Championship Wrestling, Fritz Von Erich. Kerry was the most accomplished and famous of all the Von Erich’s but his career was another what if.
Kerry got hooked to drugs from an early age and was arrested on his way back from his honeymoon carrying a large amount of pills, drugs and cocaine. However, Kerry life was scarred by the 1984 death of his brother David. What drove Kerry’s habit over the edge was his 1986 motorcycle accident which led to his foot getting amputated which led to Kerry living and wrestling with a prosthetic for the rest of his life.
The pain from the amputation and injury, however, led to Kerry’s drug habit becoming uncontrollable. Kerry signed with WWE in 1990 and was immediately given the Intercontinental Championship but his WWE career didn’t go anywhere because of his ever-increasing dependence on drugs. He left the WWE 1992 with his substance abuse problems getting worse.
Kerry succumbed to his demons in 1993, taking his own life in his father’s ranch in Texas. Bret Hart later recalled Kerry telling him that he wanted to join his late brothers and that they were calling out to him.
