If you saw The Iron Claw, you probably walked out of the theater feeling like you’d just been through a 12-round war. It’s heavy. You see Kevin Von Erich, played by a bulked-up Zac Efron, standing as the last man at the end of a long, tragic line of brothers. But the movie does something interesting toward the end. It shows Kevin finally breaking the cycle, finding peace on a ranch, and watching his kids play.
People always ask: "What happened to those kids?" or "Are they cursed too?" Honestly, the reality is a lot more hopeful than the movies usually let on. Kevin Von Erich children aren't just figures in a tragic epilogue; they are actual people who have spent the last decade rebuilding a name that was once synonymous with heartbreak. They’re not just surviving—they’re thriving.
The Four Adkisson Kids: A New Legacy
Kevin and his wife Pam (who he’s been married to since 1980, which is basically a lifetime in "wrestling years") have four kids. While the world knows them as Von Erichs, their legal name is Adkisson. Kevin actually changed their names legally back in the day because he wanted to protect them from the "curse" talk and the baggage of the industry.
The lineup is pretty simple: two daughters and two sons.
- Kristen Rain Adkisson (Born 1981)
- Jillian Lindsey Adkisson (Born 1985)
- David Michael Ross Adkisson (Known as Ross, born 1988)
- Kevin Marshall Adkisson (Known as Marshall, born 1992)
For about 18 years, this whole crew lived on a mountain in Kauai, Hawaii. Kevin basically went off the grid. He wanted his kids to grow up catching fish and climbing trees instead of dealing with the ghost of World Class Championship Wrestling. It worked. They grew up healthy, grounded, and incredibly close.
Ross and Marshall: The Boys Carrying the Torch
It’s kinda ironic. Kevin tried so hard to keep them away from the ring, but you can't run from DNA. Both Ross and Marshall ended up becoming professional wrestlers. But here's the thing—they did it on their own terms.
They didn't start in a big, flashy Texas stadium. They actually went to Japan to train with Pro Wrestling Noah. That’s old-school. It’s "pay your dues" kind of work. They lived in dojos, cleaned floors, and learned the technical side of the sport far away from the American spotlight.
Today, they are a high-flying tag team. If you watch them, you’ll see flashes of their uncles. Marshall has that barefoot, powerhouse vibe that reminds people of Kevin, and Ross is incredibly smooth in the ring. They’ve spent time in Major League Wrestling (MLW) and have recently been seen in AEW (All Elite Wrestling) and Ring of Honor (ROH). They even won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships alongside Dustin Rhodes—another guy who knows a thing or two about heavy family legacies.
The Move Back to Texas
For the longest time, the Von Erichs were Hawaii’s best-kept secret. But in 2023, Kevin decided it was time to go home. He bought a 70-acre ranch in Boerne, Texas. It’s a massive property with an event venue called the "Von Erich Ranch."
This move was huge for Kevin Von Erich children. It wasn't just about nostalgia for Kevin; it was about positioning Ross and Marshall in the heart of wrestling country. Being in Texas makes it way easier for them to work with big promotions without a 10-hour flight over the Pacific every time.
The daughters, Kristen and Jillian, are also involved in the family's world, though they tend to stay out of the ring. Jillian has been known to help with the business side of things, and both daughters have made Kevin a grandfather several times over. As of 2026, Kevin has 13 grandchildren. Imagine that. From being "the last brother" to having a family of nearly 20 people running around a Texas ranch.
Why the "Curse" Narrative Is Wrong
If you talk to the kids, they don’t see themselves as tragic figures. Ross and Marshall have been very vocal about this in interviews. They see the family history not as a curse, but as a blueprint for what to avoid.
They don’t struggle with the same demons their uncles did. Why? Because they have Kevin. Kevin is the dad who is actually there. He didn't push them into the business for money; he actually tried to talk them out of it. When they insisted, he made sure they were mentally and physically prepared.
The "curse" was really just a combination of untreated mental health issues, the pressures of 1980s wrestling culture, and a lack of support. The third generation—Ross, Marshall, and their sisters—grew up with a support system that Fritz Von Erich never provided his sons.
What’s Next for the Von Erich Kids?
The story isn't over. Marshall and Ross are currently part of a stable called "The Sons of Texas." They are actively wrestling on a national stage. They aren't trying to be the "new" Kerry or the "new" David. They’re just being Ross and Marshall.
If you're looking to follow their journey, here is what you need to know:
- Watch AEW/ROH: This is where the boys are currently making waves.
- Visit the Ranch: The Von Erich Ranch in Boerne actually hosts events and weddings. It’s a way for fans to connect with the legacy in a positive way.
- Social Media: Both Ross and Marshall are pretty active on Instagram and X (Twitter). They post a lot of behind-the-scenes content about ranch life and training.
Ultimately, Kevin's greatest achievement wasn't a world title. It was raising four kids who actually like each other and want to be around him. In the world of pro wrestling, that’s the rarest win of all.
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To keep up with the family's current projects, you can check out the official Von Erich Ranch website or follow Ross and Marshall Von Erich on social media to see where they are wrestling next. If you're a fan of the history, looking into their Japanese matches from the early 2010s gives a great perspective on how they built their style from the ground up.