#2 David Von Erich passes away – 10 Feb 1984
The Von Erich family were the biggest draw in Texas in the 70’s and 80’s and a major reason for that was the presence of the ‘Yellow flower of Texas’ David Von Erich.
David and his brothers learned wrestling under the patriarch of the Von Erich family, Fritz Von Erich. David would make his in-ring debut at the age of 18 in 1977 and would have an acclaimed match with the legendary Harley Race the same year.
He would beat the then NWA Champion Race in a non-title match later and would be a part of a famous feud between the Von Erichs and the Fabulous Freebirds. He would beat Jimmy Garvin and Ric Flair to win Championships and was poised to beat Ric Flair for the NWA world title in 1984.
However, on a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling, 25-year old David was found dead in his Tokyo hotel room. The cause of death remains unclear with some sources claiming drug overuse, whereas the Von Erich family has always maintained that it was a heart attack.
David’s brother Kerry would beat Flair for the NWA World title the same year.
