It was a simple and cool winter morning on February 1st, 1984. It could not have been a better morning for the house that was situated in East Texas, the dew collecting on the grass of a freshly cut lawn. However, in the house on the first floor sat a man in his comfy chair, slowly swiveling it back and forth in a gentle fashion. He was currently facing the spitting image of himself as, though he had some much longer locks of he did. Something he wasn’t much of a fan of, but maybe that was due to a slight jealousy of always having his hair cut short and close to his head. He took a sip of his freshly brewed coffee his wife had made for him as he looked at the spitting image of himself, like most of the people whom came to his home were. The man in front of him was his son, his third son of a famous Texas family. The son’s blonde hair flowing about as he stood arms crossed looking at his father with a pondering expression.
“You should go get that checked out David.” The father said looking at his son. He knew that this conversation was not an easy one. His son had a busy schedule ahead of him. He would be leaving the country in seven days time, and in April had a big match coming up. But, he knew his son was brash and young, and he was trying his best to pass on some wisdom to his son.
“Pop I’ll be fine. It’s just a bit of a stomach cramp is all. It’s no big deal. Plus I gotta head off with Brody to Japan in the next few days. I can’t afford to go. I’ll be missing out on a huge paycheck.” David told his father. He could understand where his son was coming from, in this business you had to make sacrifices to get where you needed to go. No one else knew that better than he did. But, his son had been complaining about these stomach problems for the past few months now, and they become more and more frequent as time went on.
“David, I understand. But, at least get that checked on before heading out. Not many guys are going to book you son if they find out you can’t take too many blows to the gut now.” His father said, trying to persuade him to at least listen to him. Besides, he was even trying to get him out of heading to Japan all together for his health. He had been over there many of times, and he believed his son David wasn’t ready yet. And he sure as hell didn’t trust Brody of all people. There was something that wasn’t right about that man. He was one helluva of a brawler for sure, and honestly the sight of the man made him glad that he was retired. That didn’t mean he trusted the man in any fashion.
David could only sigh as he thought over the words his father had said to him in the past few minutes. He was right, it would probably best in the long term had he simply gone to get this checked out. He might have been missing a few big paydays in Japan, but, that didn’t mean he couldn’t go back some other time. Plus, Brody would just have to wait for him to head back next time. It also didn’t help that Kerry was out with Terry Funk out in Hollywood for some reason, he never told them as to why he was out there. But his father had seemingly given him the go ahead to give him time off. Which only put more pressure on him a bit to be able to draw in the crowds. Which he couldn’t do if he was away, or hurt after his tour in Japan.
He thought it over for a few more moments before finally giving his father an answer. “Fine. I’ll go get it checked out pop.” He said with a bit of a sigh, but, he knew it was necessary to cool his old man’s nerves. “If there’s something wrong, I’ll pull out of the tour to get it taken care of.” He said stepping out of the office slightly, but standing in the door frame of his father’s office before looking at him with a small smirk. “Besides, someone needs to become more famous than old Fritz Von Erich right? And I can’t do that whilst being hurt.” He said with a chuckle as he walked out of the office.
Meanwhile the father, running his hand across his thinning head smiled as he picked up the phone and continued making calls and going over the finances. That was one thorn out of his side. But, in hindsight it would be one of the biggest thorns to have ever been picked before it could get worse.
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“...In other news according to sources in WCCW, “The Yellow Rose of Texas” David Von Erich has been pulled from his tour in Japan after a routine checkup at his doctors discovered symptoms of an inflamed intestine with the third son of legendary wrestler Fritz Von Erich. So far we do not know if this will affect plans to feud with Ric Flair at a promoted match later in April. But, we will have to wait and see.”
“We also have word that Terry Funk and Kerry Von Erich have been spotted speaking and talking with Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone. Whom Funk has worked beside on films before in the late 70s. We were not able to get an official word from either Von Erich, Funk, or any of Stallone’s people. But, we can only assume for now it is Von Erich auditioning for a role in one of Stallone’s upcoming projects.”
- Excerpts from the February 6th, 1984 edition of Pro Wrestling Insider.