Christopher Barton Adkisson (September 30, 1969 – September 12, 1991) was an American professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Chris Von Erich of the Von Erich family.
Early life
The smallest and youngest of the Von Erich family at 5'5" and 175 pounds, Chris aspired to be a wrestler. He was the youngest son of wrestler and wrestling promoter Fritz Von Erich. His brothers, Mike, David, Kerry and Kevin all had success as wrestlers. Chris grew up with his brothers on a ranch of 500 acres in Texas. He grew up working cameras and doing other odd jobs backstage for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He won his first amateur wrestling match at the age of six.
Professional wrestling career
Chris had minor involvement in angles in the 1980s. His last known match was a victory over Todd Overbow on March 31, 1991 for WCCW in Davis, Oklahoma.
Personal life
Chris had several health problems which limited his success as a wrestler. his bones were so brittle from taking prednisone that they would often break while performing simple wrestling maneuvers. Chris began to experience depression and drug issues.
Death and legacy
On September 12, 1991, at about 9 p.m., Chris was found by his brother Kevin and mother outside of their family farm in Edom, suffering from a self-inflicted 9mm gunshot wound to the head. According to Kevin, Chris came to him in the middle of the night, wanting back a videocassette recorder (VCR) Kevin borrowed from him. After noticing Chris sitting alone on top of a hill, Kevin went out and talked with him, where he revealed his suicidal tendencies concerning his condition (he had broken his arm earlier that month). After Kevin pleaded with him not to harm himself, Chris reassured him he would not, but after Kevin left, he shot himself in the head. He was hospitalized at East Texas Medical Center in Denton shortly after 10 p.m., where he died 20 minutes after arriving, at age 21. Kevin had talked to Chris earlier that day about 100–150 yards north of their home where an apparent suicide note had been left. His interment was at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas. Chris' life story was combined with his brother Mike for the movie The Iron Claw.
Awards and accomplishments
- World Wrestling Entertainment
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2009) as a member of the Von Erich family
See also
- List of premature professional wrestling deaths