Ex-wrestler shows support for Israel, hostages at film premier

Former wrestler Kevin Von Erich visits Israel for premier of film on his family.

Susan Tawil, World Israel News

Kevin Von Erich, 66, a former high-profile professional wrestler, was in Tel Aviv this week to attend Israel’s premier showing of “Iron Claw,” a biographical film about his legendary fighting family.

Von Erich is a strong supporter of Israel, and met with IDF soldiers, evacuees, hostage families, and President Isaac Hertzog during his visit.

Now retired from the ring, Kevin Von Erich was known as “The Golden Warrior” in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCWW), a sports venue founded by his father, Jack “Fritz” Von Erich. He and his brothers Kerry and David played separately and together in tag-team wrestling, and won many championships.

Kevin was also known as “The Barefoot Boy” due to his trademark shoeless bouts.

He was a six-time World Champion in the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship, and there are five video games (ie: Legends of Wrestling) in which he is a character.

The Von Erich family was inducted into the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Hall of Fame in 2009, and the family’s World Championship belt is on display at Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv.

“The Iron Claw,” released December 22, was rated as a Top Ten Film of 2023 by the National Board of Review (an “iron claw” is a wrestling hold used to immobilize opponents).

Kevin Von Erich is the sole survivor of the celebrated family featured in the movie. He now lives in Hawaii with his wife, Pam.

Von Erich attended Israel’s premier showing of the movie on January 12.

He wore a dog tag necklace and a “Bring Them Home” t-shirt to show his support for the Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7 massacre. “Hamas members are hate-filled and without any regard for decency or humanity,” he asserted.

The former wrestler met with several Israeli hostage families to share in their pain.

“It was the least I could do,” he said. “All these people are suffering…(at least) I could just hurt with them.”

He is scheduled to visit Kibbutz Be’eri and other places where the massacre took place to see where some of the 1,200 Israeli’s were slaughtered, with over 5,000 wounded, and from where the 240 hostages were kidnapped.

Von Erich emotionally voiced his admiration for the State of Israel: “Israel wants to be so fair…I salute the people of Israel for having compassion and love and for wanting peace so bad(ly)…you’re the chosen people…fighting evil; you’re God’s people.”

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