Chavo Guerrero Jr. as the Sheik and Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich in new wrestling drama The Iron Claw, based on the lives of the legendary Texas grapplers of the Von Erich family Credit: Image Courtesy of A24 Films

Few names in professional wrestling history – especially in the state of Texas – are treated with quite so much reverence and sadness as Von Erich.

At the family home in Dallas, they were the Adkisson family, but in the squared circle they were feared and loved in equal measures. Patriarch Fritz Von Erich was a legendary heel or villain, but his five wrestling sons – David, Mike, Kerry, Chris, and David – were adored by millions, the heart and soul of World Class Championship Wrestling and seemingly set for global success. And yet tragedy, known in wrestling circles as the Von Erich Curse, was as much a part of their story as were the rapturous crowds.

Now that story is making the jump from the ring to the screen with The Iron Claw, a new biopic from A24 scheduled for release on Dec. 22, and the studio has released the first trailer.

Youtube video

The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron as second eldest son Kevin Von Erich (known as the Golden Warrior by fans); Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as brother Kerry; Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness) as David; Stanley Simons (Superior) as Mike; and veteran character actor Holt McCallany as patriarch Fritz Von Erich.

Eagle-eyed wrestling fans may also recognize a few other famous faces from the time when the Von Erich’s packed the Sportatorium, with Aaron Dean Eisenberg (The Deuce) as “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, and stunt performer and professional wrestler Brady Pierce as Michael Hayes, part of the Fabulous Freebirds with whom the Von Erichs had some of their most legendary matches.

However, Pierce is not the only wrestler in the roster, and there are a lot of Texas connections in those names. Not seen in the trailer but announced in the cast are Chavo Guerrero Jr. (himself a part of Texas’ wrestling royalty as a member of El Paso’s lucha legends the Guerrero family) as the Sheik. Also in the cast are not one but two former champions of Austin-based Inspire Pro Wrestling: Mike Dell, who appears as one of those all-important referees, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman, better known as MJF. The latter goes from headlining the biggest paid wrestling show in history at London’s Wembley Stadium for All Elite Wrestling to playing Lance Von Erich, one of several wrestlers who were given the Von Erich name so they could be promoted as one of the family.

The Iron Claw will be released in theatres on Dec. 22.

This article appears in October 13 • 2023.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.