The Iron Claw Review: 6 Ups & 3 Downs

5. The Tragedy Of Mike

It’s impossible to watch the film and not feel the heartbreak of Mike Von Erich’s tragic story.

The only one of Fritz’s sons who had no interest in actually wrestling, Mike was more artistically inclined, an aspiring musician who was also shown as the odd brother out and often the recipient of Fritz’s scorn. He ultimately was pressured into the ring after David’s death, taking his brother’s place in a most unconvincing manner (the scenes with Kevin trying to train Mike depict this well).

Mike’s shoulder injury and toxic shock syndrome left him with brain damage, and the pressure of trying to be David finally got to him. Mike’s suicide was particularly harrowing in how he was pushed into the family business and it quickly consumed him.

His death is portrayed as the turning point for the Von Erich family, with Kevin consumed by the loss and even their stoic mother beginning to crack before everything falls apart with Kerry’s suicide.

For non-wrestling fans, Mike’s death is probably the most relatable, a young man trying to make his father proud and uphold the family legacy, but ultimately being crushed by the weight of it all.