Who's who in the Von Erich family?

Fritz Von Erich: The patriarch of the family who transitioned from the gridiron to the squared circle, training under the legendary Stu Hart in Calgary before becoming a star as an evil German heel. He would achieve his greatest success as the booker, then owner, of the Dallas territory known as World Class Championship Wrestling before training his sons to be his promotion's top babyfaces.

He died in 1997 at the age of 68.

Kevin Von Erich: The eldest of the Von Erich wrestling brothers, the barefoot competitor battled legendary wrestlers from Ric Flair to Harley Race to Bruiser Brody throughout his career.

He won several championships, including the NWA American Heavyweight title from Brody, but would fall short of capturing the historic organization's world championship on several occasions.

Kevin, 66, is the sole surviving Von Erich brother.

David Von Erich: Considered by many to be the best wrestler of the legendary family, David was earmarked for success from the get-go. A big, tough worker, he won titles and inspired excitement about his prospects and the possibility that he could defeat Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship.

His feud with "Gorgeous" Gimmy Garvin gave way to some of the best television in the promotion's history, including a vignette in which Garvin lost and both he and his valet, Sunshine, had to work on the Von Erich farm for an entire day.

David died on February 10, 1984, at the age of 25, from acute enteritis.

Kerry Von Erich: Should have been the most successful of all of his brothers. He looked like an adonis, physically, and had success as a record-breaking discus thrower before stepping into the squared circle. A world-class athlete, pun not intended, he had all of the tools necessary to transcend WCCW and become a star on a national stage.

A motorcycle accident ultimately cost him his foot and meant that he would spend the rest of his career competing in a prosthetic. He never quite returned to the level of performer he was prior to that, but remained immensely popular and, arguably, was as charismatic as anyone in the family.

He competed for WWE after the demise of his family's promotion, where he won the Intercontinental Championship by defeating fellow Hall of Famer, Mr. Perfect.

Kerry committed suicide on February 18, 1993, at the age of 33.

Mike Von Erich: Mike never wanted to be a wrestler. He had other aspirations but ultimately found himself in the family business, where he teamed with his brother, Kerry, in battles against the Fabulous Freebirds.

A shoulder injury suffered during a tag team match in Israel led to surgery, after which Mike became ill, with a fever of 107 degrees. It was revealed that he had toxic shock syndrome and suffered brain damage as a result.

He would attempt a comeback but was never the athlete that he was before the injury and illness.

He died on April 12, 1987, at the age of 23 after overdosing on the sleeping aid Placidyl.

The brothers had two other siblings, both of whom met similarly tragic fates, lending to the idea of a "Von Erich curse."

Jack Jr. passed away at the age of six when he was electrocuted, fell face-first into the snow, and drowned. Chris, the youngest, died in 1991 at the age of 21 of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Being sons of an accomplished wrestler, who trained them from an early age to continue the family business and put pressure on them to be the biggest, fastest, quickest, best, and most successful they could be, had to weigh heavily on the Von Erichs.

Kerry felt shame for his run-in with the law, stemming from addiction to painkillers and other drugs, that had him facing jail time. Mike and Chris both felt immense pressure to live up to the example set by their brothers.

There are different reasons for the fates of the young men involved, none of which amount to a curse. It is impossible, though, to tell the family's story without recognizing the incredibly dark cloud that hangs overhead.