David Von Erich

David Von Erich, the "Yellow Rose of Texas", was the third son of Fritz Von Erich, and the second oldest wrestling son. He grew up in Denton, Texas and had 5 brothers (his oldest brother Jack Jr. died during childhood of an accidental electrocution). He was the son who everyone believed took after Fritz Von Erich the most, and was subsequently disciplined more severely than his brothers as a result while growing up.
David was a high school basketball star and a football player at Lake Dallas High School. He won a scholarship to North Texas State University to play basketball and football. David dropped out to pursue a wrestling career that he had started in 1977.
He was a huge star in WCCW and he had a memorable feud with Jimmy Garvin. He won a match where Garvin and his valet Sunshine would have to be his slaves for a day. He had a ranch, so they cleaned the horse stalls, washed the horses, etc. It made for good TV, and the WCCW fans loved David for it. He was also involved (alongside his brothers Kevin and Kerry) in an infamous feud with the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts), and many exciting matches came out of the feud; this feud is often credited with establishing the popularity of 6-Man Tag Team Wrestling in the United Sates.
In February 1984, David was set to embark on a tour for All-Japan Pro Wrestling. Before he left for Japan, he would square off against Terry Gordy at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas; unfortunately, this would be David's last appearance in the United States, as he was found dead in his hotel room on February 10th. Despite the long speculation that David died of a drug overdose, the autopsy report (as well as subsequent testimony from colleagues who recalled David suffering from stomach pain for the weeks leading up to his death) indisputably ruled that the cause of death was a heart attack caused by ruptured intestines, which resulted from acute enteritis.
On May 6, 1984, David's brother Kerry defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the David Von Erich Memorial Cup in Texas Stadium. The original plan had called for David Von Erich to win the title from Ric Flair. David Von Erich will always be remembered as both a gifted wrestler and having dynamic personality. Towards the end of his career, he was becoming a huge star in the world of professional wrestling, and he will be remembered for possessing an aptitude for cutting promos.
Championships and accomplishments
National Wrestling Alliance
*1-time NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion
*1-time NWA World Tag-Team Champion (Texas version) (with Kevin von Erich)
*1-time NWA North American Tag Team Champion (with Dory Funk, Jr.)
All Japan Pro Wrestling
*1-time AJPW United National Champion
*2-time AJPW All Asia Tag-Team Champion (with Kevin Von Erich)
Florida Championship Wrestling
*1-time NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion
*1-time NWA Florida Television Champion
World Class Championship Wrestling *2-time WCCW 6-Man Tag-Team Champion (with Kevin Von Erich & Kerry Von Erich)
*8-time WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
*1-time NWA American Tag-Team Champion (with Kevin Von Erich)
*2-time NWA Texas Tag-Team Champion (with Kevin Von Erich)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
*Ranked # 58 of the 500 best wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
*Ranked #23 of the best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with any combination of him and his brothers, Kerry & Kevin Von Erich.
*1984 PWI Editor's Award.