Chris Von Erich

The smallest and youngest of the Von Erich family, all Chris wanted to be was a wrestler. He was the youngest son of wrestler Fritz Von Erich. His brothers, Mike, David, Kerry and Kevin all had success as wrestlers. He grew up working cameras and doing other odd jobs backstage for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He had minor involvement in angles in the 1980s. He performed run-ins to aide his brothers against The Fabulous Freebirds. Chris also smashed Buddy Roberts across the back with a chair, and tackled Gino Hernandez at the Cotton Bowl in 1985; while escaping from having his hair shaved off following a tag-team loss at the hands of the Von Erichs.

He became a wrestler in 1990. He had a small feud with Percy Pringle in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). Chris tagged with both his brother Kevin and longtime ally Chris Adams in several tag team matches against Pringle and "Stunning" Steve Austin (later "Stone Cold" Steve Austin); however, he would face only Pringle whenever he was in the ring, and allow his more-experienced partner (Kevin or Adams) to battle Austin. Despite his lack of athleticism, Chris was very supported by fans, who would often yell "GO, CHRIS, GO!" during his matches.

Chris grew up with his brothers on 500-acres in Texas. He was the smallest of the brothers at only 5'5" and 175 pounds.

Chris had several health problems that limited his success as a wrestler. In addition to asthma, his bones were so brittle from taking prednisone that he would often break them while performing simple wrestling maneuvers. After the 1987 suicide of brother Mike, Chris developed depression and drug issues. Frustrated and depressed over the deaths of his brothers and the inability to make headway as a wrestler due to his physical build, Chris shot himself in the head on September 12, 1991, eighteen days before his 22nd birthday. His interment was located at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas.

• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009)