Ric Flair Talks 'The Iron Claw' Film & His Epic Feud with Kerry Von Erich

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Wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently joined the hosts of "Busted Open Radio" to discuss the forthcoming biopic about the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, titled "The Iron Claw." Directed by Sean Durkin of "Martha Marcy May Marlene" fame, the film features Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich and Jeremy Allen White portraying the late Kerry Von Erich.

Flair was particularly moved by the trailer but noted, "You really had to be there to grasp the magnitude. The film showcased Michael Hayes and the Freebirds, and we were smack dab in the center of that entire Von Erich saga.

It's an unfortunate story tinged with tragedy."

Texas Showdown

The Nature Boy holds a storied past with the Von Erichs, most notably with Kerry. Flair reminisced about their epic showdown at Texas Stadium in 1984, which took place in sweltering 105-degree heat.

"The promoters miscalculated the weather conditions," Flair stated. "Instead of scheduling the bout for 8 p.m., they decided to run it at 1 p.m. They were so unprepared for the heat that people were literally being carried out on stretchers due to dehydration." Detailing the impact of the torrid weather, Flair said, "When I stepped into the ring with Kerry, the mat cover was unbearable to even lie on, it was that hot.

They kept changing it, but they simply were not prepared for conditions like that." Flair concluded by expressing his mixed feelings about the timing of "The Iron Claw." According to him, the film is "two decades overdue" since the younger generation might not be familiar with the legacy of the Von Erichs.

However, he also acknowledged that what's old is indeed becoming new again, noting a resurgence of interest in classic wrestling narratives. Ric Flair's candid observations not only add a layer of authenticity to the anticipation surrounding "The Iron Claw," but they also serve as a testament to the enduring fascination with the golden era of wrestling and its larger-than-life characters.

With the film set to revive the legacy of the Von Erichs, it seems that the wrestling world is poised for a walk down memory lane, guided by those who lived it firsthand.