If you saw the movie The Iron Claw, you probably left the theater feeling like you needed a long, quiet walk and maybe a hug. It was heavy. The story of the Von Erich family is usually told as a Shakespearean tragedy set in a wrestling ring—a "curse" that took five brothers and left only one, Kevin, to carry the name.
But here is the thing: the story didn't actually end when the credits rolled.
Kevin Von Erich didn't just survive. He built something. Today, in 2026, the legacy is being rewritten by his two sons, Ross and Marshall Von Erich. They aren't just "living reminders" of their uncles; they are legitimate, championship-winning athletes who have managed to do the one thing their father probably never thought possible: find happiness in the very business that broke their family.
The Hawaii Years and the Great Move Back
For nearly two decades, Kevin and his wife Pam lived out on a ranch in Kauai, Hawaii. It was a literal paradise. Kevin wanted distance. He wanted his kids to grow up catching fish and climbing trees, far away from the "Sportatorium" shadows of Dallas.
It worked, mostly.
But you can't outrun DNA. Despite Kevin literally trying to talk them out of it—he once said it’s like "trying to stop the Gulf of Mexico with a fork"—Ross and Marshall fell in love with wrestling. They didn't start in the glitz of WWE, though. They went to the Pro Wrestling Noah dojo in Japan. They slept on floors. They learned the "old school" way, getting their teeth kicked in by legends like Naomichi Marufuji and Harley Race.
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Honestly, it’s kinda poetic.
By the time they moved back to Texas in 2023, the brothers weren't rookies. They were a polished tag team. The family bought a 70-acre ranch in Boerne, just outside San Antonio, and established "Von Erich Headquarters." It’s a wedding venue now, but it’s also where the next generation trains. Kevin is up to 200 pounds again—he says the Texas Mexican food is just too good—and he finally looks at peace.
Why 2026 is the Year of the Von Erichs in AEW
If you’ve been keeping up with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) lately, you’ve seen them. Ross and Marshall officially signed full-time deals with Tony Khan’s promotion in early 2025. It wasn't just a nostalgia act.
They’ve spent the last year proving they belong.
Breaking Down the Resume
- ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions: Teaming up with "The Natural" Dustin Rhodes (son of Dusty Rhodes, another legendary Texas family), they’ve held gold in Ring of Honor.
- The Sons of Texas: They’ve formed a stable that basically rules the Texas wrestling scene whenever AEW rolls through Arlington or San Antonio.
- International Ambitions: Recently on their podcast, The Claw Pod, they mentioned wanting to head back to Japan to win the All Asia Tag Team Titles—the same belts their father Kevin and uncle David held back in 1981.
Marshall is the powerhouse, standing about 6'4" and wrestling barefoot just like his dad. Ross is slightly smaller but faster, with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that makes his style feel modern and dangerous.
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Addressing the "Curse" Misconception
People always ask about the curse. It's the first thing anyone mentions when they hear the name. But if you talk to Ross or Marshall, they don't buy into it. Not even a little bit.
They see their family history not as a haunting, but as a foundation.
Ross once explained that they feel "protected" in the ring. They use the Iron Claw—the move their grandfather Fritz made famous—but they’ve added their own spin to it. There is no sense of doom around them. Instead, there’s this weirdly infectious positivity. They’re "babyfaces" (the good guys) in the truest sense of the word.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Career
A lot of fans think they just showed up because of the movie The Iron Claw. That’s just not true. They’ve been grinding on the independent circuit since 2012.
They spent years in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where they were World Tag Team Champions. They’ve wrestled in front of 50 people in high school gyms and 50,000 people at Wembley Stadium. They didn't take the "easy" WWE route, even though the offers were on the table. They wanted to stay together as a family and keep their autonomy.
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The Turning Point: Marshall’s Injury
Late in 2024, Marshall suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle. In the past, a major injury might have signaled the start of another "tragic" chapter for a Von Erich. But the 2026 version of this family is different. Marshall took the time off, rehabbed at the ranch, and came back in the best shape of his life.
He actually joked that he needed the break to lose some weight anyway. That kind of resilience is what separates this generation from the heartbreaks of the 80s.
How to Follow the Von Erichs Today
If you’re looking to support the third generation, they are more accessible than the previous ones ever were.
- The Claw Pod: This is where they drop the real news. They talk about everything from faith and ranch life to the politics of the locker room.
- AEW/ROH: They are regular fixtures on Collision and HonorClub.
- The Von Erich Ranch: If you’re in the San Antonio area, you can actually visit the property for events. It’s a 70-acre slice of history.
The Von Erich name used to be a warning. Now, thanks to Ross and Marshall, it’s a comeback story. They aren't trying to be David, Kerry, Mike, or Chris. They’re just being the best versions of themselves, and honestly, that’s exactly what Kevin wanted for them all along.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the AEW schedule for upcoming shows in Texas, specifically the big stadium events where the brothers are usually featured in high-profile matches. You can also follow their official social media handles for updates on their ranch events, as they occasionally host independent wrestling shows right there on the family property in Boerne.