"THE IRON CLAW" (2023)

A 1950’s regional mid-west crowd of a few thousand roar with fury as the abominable, heavy brow, buzz cut giant, FRITZ VON ERICH (JACK ADKINSSON) pummels his OPPONENT.

FRITZ grunts angrily at the crowd in a bad German accent and raises his giant, powerful right hand, making a rigid CLAW with his fingers. FRITZ guides his hand down onto the forehead of his wobbling OPPONENT and locks his thumb and pinky into the man’s temple, clutching the head in the palm of his hand. The OPPONENT drops to his knees screaming in pain.

Sitting in the crowd are FRITZ’S sons, KEVIN (7) and DAVID (5). They are the only ones cheering on FRITZ. They turn and yell at the other fans for booing their father.

DORIS, FRITZ’S heavily pregnant wife, paces in the empty concourse.

Back in the ring, blood drips from the OPPONENT’S head, over FRITZ’S hand. The OPPONENT finally collapses onto his back. The referee slaps down on the mat - ONE, TWO, THREE - and signals for the bell. DING DING DING DING. The referee raises FRITZ’S hand. The crowd boo the villain they love to hate.

TITLE CARD: THE IRON CLAW

A sweat drenched FRITZ sits alone on a wooden bench in a grimy locker room. Wrestling might be staged but there is nothing fake about the performance. These matches take a massive physical toll.

FRITZ, showered and cleaned up is heading out. His family, DORIS and the two BOYS, KEVIN and DAVID are waiting for him. The boys run and leap onto him. FRITZ scoops up KEVIN. DAVID hangs on FRITZ’S leg. FRITZ and DORIS kiss.

KEVIN puts a playful IRON CLAW on his dad.

THE FAMILY walk across the cold icy parking lot.

A BRAND NEW CADILLAC is attached to an OLD MOBILE HOME.

KEVIN runs around the car. Little DAVID follows.

They load the kids into the back seat. FRITZ gets in to the driver seat.

She slaps him on the side of his arm.

KEVIN sits in the back listening to his parents.

DORIS closes her eyes.

FRITZ watches adoringly as DORIS quotes the bible to herself.

In the back seat, We are close on KEVIN, listening, absorbing...

An ALARM SOUNDS like a ton of bricks waking KEVIN VON ERICH, now in his 20s. Tall, lean, chiseled, athletic, with a warm smile, and head of golden hair. He struggles to pull himself out of bed, sore and stiff from last night’s wrestling match. His brother DAVID sleeps in the bed across

the room.

A recent FAMILY PORTRAIT hangs above the fire place. Next to it a black and white photo from the 50’s of their deceased son, JACK JR, age 8.

On one living room wall is A LARGE TROPHY CASE filled with the family’s athletic accomplishments including FRITZ’ wrestling highlights and the boys’ childhood sports trophies. THIS FAMILY IS TEXAS ATHLETIC ROYALTY.

On the other wall is a GUN CASE, showing the impressive collection of hand guns and hunting weapons.

The sun is about to rise on the fairy tale VON ERICH RANCH. FRITZ’ dream home just outside of Dallas, built with money made from his wrestling fame and fortune. Acres of wild land, woods for hunting, ponds for fishing, fields of grazing cattle and horses. KEVIN emerges in the landscape running, pushing himself into a full sprint.

A CAPACITY CROWD of 3000 adoring fans scream for their local hero KEVIN. FRITZ, now in his 50s, is in KEVIN’S corner.

Fierce boos ring out. THE SHEIK antagonizes the crowd. The famous GENERAL SKANDOR AKBAR is in the SHEIK’S corner.

The SHEIK hits KEVIN over the head with his championship belt, knocking KEVIN to the ground. The SHEIK spit polishes his Texas Title and the crowd goes ballistic.

The BELL SOUNDS, the match begins. We are close up on KEVIN, laying dazed on the mat.

KEVIN, who wrestles barefoot, springs to his feet and delivers a brutal kick to the side of THE SHEIK’S head.

We see how special KEVIN is for a young wrestler. Large, quick, agile, and powerful - a lethal combination.

AKBAR climbs in the ring and tries to intervene but FRITZ steps in and clothes lines him over the top rope.

KEVIN lifts weights, pushing himself to his absolute limit on the bench press.

KEVIN climbs onto the top rope and leaps across the ring with a flying cross body to take down, and pin THE SHEIK. The ref pounds on the mat: 1, 2, 3... The Bell sounds. The Sportatorium erupts. FRITZ rushes into the ring to celebrate as KEVIN lifts the Texas Heavyweight title belt.

KEVIN is elated but exhausted. Struggling to catch his breath, his father holds him up in the middle of the ring.

KEVIN finishes a set and lets out a guttural scream to push out the final rep.

DORIS, now in her 50s, cooks mountains of food for her giant sons and husband. THE BROTHERS roam the kitchen serving themselves before sitting to eat at the dining room table.

MIKE, the youngest, is less athletic than his big brothers. He survives this family with his sense of humor. He eats as quickly as he can.

DAVID reaches over and steals a piece of MIKE’s bacon as he sits. MIKE slaps his hand away. Then KEVIN, straight up from the gym, grabs a piece.

FRITZ is at the head of the table with a smile on his face, basking in his family.

KEVIN and DAVID hate these comments.

FRITZ has a charming way of delivering this that makes it an accepted part of the family dynamic.

THE BOYS do their SUNDAY MORNING RANCH CHORES. DAVID and KEVIN stack hay. KEVIN looks out at MIKE who fixes a fence. FRITZ is standing over him giving him a hard time.

MIKE is waiting in line for the bathroom pounding on the door.

KEVIN passes by him in the hallway.

DAVID is jerking off in the shower.

DORIS is getting ready for church. KEVIN enters.

The CONGREGATION gather in front of the church.

EVERYONE congratulates KEVIN for his recent victory. People try to meet FRITZ and welcome him to the CHURCH. As much as he does not want to go to church, he is there for his wife, there for his family. He is good at speaking with people in his community. They congratulate him on the success of WCCW, and the excitement of KERRY going to the Olympics.

DORIS is at the center of everything, she stands with the PASTOR greeting people as they file into church.

FRITZ looks at the doorway and braces himself.

FRITZ, DORIS, KEVIN, DAVID and MIKE sit together. KEVIN watches his father look uncomfortable, swallowing his

pride. FRITZ looks straight up at the rafters, like he is LOOKING UP TO GOD...

KEVIN and DAVID drive up to a small suburban house in a cul-de-sac, the neighborhood is pure seventies Americana.

A HIGHSCHOOL PROG ROCK BAND practices in an open garage. We see MIKE is the lead singer and guitar player. He is good, passionate. His big brothers watch on proud, they clap as the song finishes. MIKE says goodbye to his bandmates and jumps in the truck.

ECU: MIKE FLIPS THE CASSETTE.

KEVIN, DAVID and MIKE devour burgers as they drive, windows down, music blaring.

The BOYS fly into the river from an old rope swing. They swim, happy together. OTHER PEOPLE float down the river on inner tubes, drinking beer. A summer ritual.

KEVIN is dressed in tights and a sequined jacket with his Texas heavyweight belt around his waist, looking ring ready. He stands next to BILL MERCER in front of a cheap backdrop.

There is a slightly too long, awkward pause. KEVIN searches for the words.

team match later on tonight against Gino Hernandez and Bruiser Brody. But his partner is still a mystery.

BILL delivers his lines like a machine, perfect every time. KEVIN’S delivery is a bit mechanical. He loses his charming personality when he speaks into a microphone. This is KEVIN’S one FLAW in the world of wrestling, and with the emergence of the televised main event, it is a costly flaw.

The SOUND MAN walks in and adjusts a mic. THE CAMERA MAN resets. We reveal DAVID, in street clothes, watching from behind camera. He is trying not to laugh.

KEVIN stalls again. The more he falters, the more nervous he gets.

(Pause) Something that’s going to make them all very very happy, but first I just want to say, that Gino, you’ve been shooting y-y- your mouth off, sh, sh, sh - god damn it!

DAVID loves to wind KEVIN up.

A truck speeds towards the glowing red light gleaming “SPORTATORIUM.” This is the first time we are seeing the exterior of our arena, a large shed-like structure in the shadow of the Dallas skyline. It doesn’t look like much, but this is wrestling Mecca... The Camera is in the back of a pick up truck with a bunch of YOUNG PEOPLE. The parking lot is packed. Excitement is in the air. The camera jumps out of the car with a GUY who runs to the long ticket window line. The camera moves off of him and finds a CLUSTER OF FANS drinking, while others are trying to get close to some WRESTLERS entering the back door. They fight through the groping crowds to get inside.

KEVIN and DAVID talk to two other wrestlers, BRUISER BRODY & GINO HERNANDEZ, in their tights and robes, ready to go on.

They all pat DAVID on the back.

Cut in mid-match as BRUISER BRODY gives DAVID a big boot to the head. DAVID gets up and they exchange blows. The climax plays out how they planned it backstage... DAVID and KEVIN put a double drop kick on BRODY, knocking him out of the ring. GINO gets up dazed and steps right into DAVID’S IRON CLAW - DAVID grips his right hand around the temple of GINO. GINO submits. The bell sounds. THE AUDIENCE IS ELATED. DAVID is impressive and powerful on his debut.

FRITZ WATCHES ON FROM THE AISLE. HE SMILES, HE KNOW HE HAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ON HIS HANDS.

KEVIN and DAVID exit the backstage door after a match. The parking lot is mostly empty but for a few FANS. KEVIN signs autographs, he loves connecting with the fans. As they get away from the group, a young woman, PAM, approaches KEVIN.

He signs a piece of paper.

They stand in awkward silence.

She hits him on the arm.

Kevin laughs. He’s in.

FRITZ counts cash from Saturday night’s ticket sales. He divides up payments for each wrestler. He pays DAVID and KEVIN less than everyone else and slips the extra cash into a lock box. BILL enters.

BILL sits down.

FRITZ nods.

PAM and KEVIN are on a date. KEVIN signs an autograph on a napkin for a passing FAN.

KEVIN eats massive amounts of meat, fried chicken, ribs. PAM finds it endearing but she can only eat the pecan pie. They laugh.

KEVIN takes a bit from a massive beef rib.

Pam laughs. He finishes chewing.

The word FAKE is the most offensive word you can say to a wrestler. And she kind of knows it...

He just nods and chews.

Pam laughs. It’s sweet, but not what she has in mind.

KEVIN reflects on this, maybe for the first time.

with one day. So, I’m not the oldest. I must have the second oldest brother syndrome.

PAM watches KEVIN feel all sorts of pain he’s uncomfortable with. She gets up from the table and walks around to sit next to him. She hugs him. He doesn’t know what to do at first, he’s never received this kind of affection or empathy before.

After a moment he folds into her. They just hug. He tries to make a joke of it.

They laugh and, despite a bit of BBQ sauce on his mouth, have their first kiss.

KEVIN comes into the house, floating from his date. FRITZ sits in the living room, waiting up for him, celebrating with a drink, feeling uncharacteristically jubilant.

KEVIN sits down across from his father.

FRITZ nods and KEVIN bounces out of his seat with excitement.

World heavyweight champion HARLEY RACE holds his championship belt and speaks directly into camera.

ON A MONITOR we see the TV broadcast of WCCW’s famous Saturday Night Show: The DRUMS, the bad graphics flying over the awkward picture of the globe, fading into a shot of the Sportatorium.

The camera pans around to find BILL MERCER sitting in front

of the WCCW backdrop. The DIRECTOR signals they are on air in 2, 1... BILL talks directly to camera.

KEVIN VON ERICH and The legendary HARLEY RACE are introduced in the ring to a packed house of screaming fans.

The two men lock up. HARLEY hits hard. KEVIN hits back. Things get heated between them.

The color of the ring mat and the lighting have changed. Everything is a little more colorful.

KEVIN has a good run of quick moves and overwhelms the world champion. But KEVIN hits HARLEY in the face and pisses him off. HARLEY gives KEVIN an unexpected LOW BLOW. KEVIN loses his breath.

HARLEY tosses KEVIN hard over the top rope onto the floor. HARLEY comes down to the floor and delivers one of his masterful suplexes onto the concrete floor. KEVIN was not expecting that. KEVIN is stunned, he has never felt so much pain. He cannot move.

HARLEY climbs back in the ring and taunts the crowd more. THE REFEREE starts to count KEVIN out. 1 -- 2 -- 3... Time slows down. KEVIN is trying to get up but still cannot move.

THE CROWD IS SCREAMING FOR HIM TO GET UP. PAM watches from the crowd. She is worried. DAVID and FRITZ stand in the aisle, looking on anxiously. We can tell by the expression on their faces that this is not planned.

THE REFEREE continues to count. 6 -- 7... KEVIN uses all his might, gets to his knees... 8 -- 9... and pulls himself back into the ring just in time to avoid the COUNT OUT, only to be met by a giant boot to the ribs.

HARLEY picks up KEVIN and is about to put him into another suplex when KEVIN slips out, HARLEY turns and KEVIN delivers a hard kick to the jaw. It knocks HARLEY down. KEVIN bounces off the ropes and dives into a splash on HARLEY. The crowd erupts. KEVIN pins RACE, 1 -- 2 --- HARLEY kicks out at 3. HARLEY knows he is in trouble so he tosses the REF who immediately disqualifies him. THE BELL sounds and the fans boo.

HARLEY grabs a CHAIR from ringside and smashes KEVIN over the head with it. He does it again and again until... DAVID storms the ring. He lays a series of moves on HARLEY who falls out of the ring. The CROWD goes crazy. HARLEY grabs his belt and walks backwards to the dressing room, taunting the Von Erich Brothers as he goes.

KEVIN, back on his feet, grabs the MIC but is out of breath.

KEVIN takes a long nervous pause. With a small, but course changing action, DAVID takes the MIC from KEVIN. DAVID has immediate charisma and shines on the MIC where KEVIN stumbles.

The crowd erupts. FRITZ WATCHES DAVID TALK, ELATED BY THE POTENTIAL HE SEES. HE KNOWS THAT DAVID’S PERFORMANCE HERE IS OUTSHINING HIS BROTHER, HE KNOWS WHAT HE HAS TO DO.....

KEVIN is icing his back. DAVID is with him, bandaging a cut on his forehead. FRITZ enters, he feels preoccupied. The boys wait for the verdict.

DAVID nods, FRITZ leaves.

KEVIN stares at the floor. He knows it didn’t go as well as it could have.

world heavyweight champion.

This does make KEVIN smile.

KERRY VON ERICH, 20’s, is younger than David and Kevin, older than Mike. An ADONIS, he stands totally still, posed like a statue ready to throw the DISCUS. A SHOT FIRES. He spins around, and around and releases the discus. He knows immediately it’s a good throw. HIS COACHES, dressed in TEAM USA sweats, do too. KERRY has a huge smile that lights up a room.

They wait for the measurement to be signaled back from the field. VARIOUS ATHLETES practice their events around the facility. 100 meters, long jump, high jump etc.

They clap, high five. KERRY, focused, sets up for his next throw. Driven to do better, to achieve greatness.

KERRY and his OLYMPIC TEAMMATES stretch on the field after a long day of training. Across the complex, A FRANTIC COACH runs out of the office and down the bleachers onto the field. He starts talking to other STAFF MEMBERS and a panic spreads around the camp.

ATHLETES standing near the COACHES catch wind of the news. Some just collapse on the ground. Some start to cry. KERRY looks over, knowing something is very wrong. He gets up and starts to walk with urgency towards the grieving athletes.

KEVIN, DAVID, MIKE, FRITZ and DORIS are watching PRESIDENT CARTER address the nation on TV.

equality of the Olympics, not destroying it. It is absolutely imperative that we and other nations who believe in freedom and who believe in human rights, let our voices be heard in an absolutely clear way and not add the imprimatur of approval to the Soviet Union and its government...

The family continues to watch the president’s speech on TV. KEVIN feels devastated for his brother.

FRITZ is crushed by the news. He clenches his jaw. To him, this feels bigger than a single event...

PRESIDENT CARTER’S speech trails off as we see KERRY ride a greyhound bus home. America passing by outside the window.

KERRY rides the bus overnight.

KERRY walks down the long and isolated ranch driveway.

KEVIN, DAVID and MIKE hang a sign over the front porch at FRITZ’ direction - WELCOME HOME KERRY.

KERRY arrives home. The FAMILY embrace him with their condolences. FRITZ is visibly shaken. KERRY looks worried he let his father down. They shake hands.

KERRY reunites with his BROTHERS. They hug, forming a huddle. Happy to be together.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FAMILY GATHERING. The BOYS play football. FRITZ plays quarterback. KEVIN and MIKE play against KERRY and DAVID. IT GETS COMPETITIVE. KEVIN outruns KERRY and playfully taunts him. KERRY takes offense and pushes KEVIN. They scrap. The other brothers break it up.

FRITZ, loving the aggression, eggs them on.

Next play, FRITZ throws a pass for MIKE and he drops it. FRITZ yells at him. MIKE waves in acknowledgement.

Across the grass, the football game gets more competitive. KERRY lays a tackle on KEVIN. KEVIN bounces right back up. Focused.

KEVIN and KERRY scrap but the other boys pull them apart. It is all loving but competitive.

Next play, FRITZ throws a pass to MIKE but KERRY intercepts it and runs it back for a touchdown. FRITZ is glowing at his son’s athleticism.

Bugs and dust hovering in the afternoon light. You can feel the warmth, both of the air and the family being together. They eat a feast.

PAM feels at home. She holds KEVIN’s hand under the table. They look into each other’s eyes, falling in love. MIKE is sweetly obsessed with PAM. No one has ever brought a girl home.

He gets up and walks the jug of lemonade over and pours it for her. FRITZ leans over to KEVIN and speaks quietly.

He looks to FRITZ.

DAVID bristles.

All the boys look at DORIS, she’s had a glass of wine and is smirking.

They look down the other end of the table at FRITZ who almost looks embarrassed.

FRITZ is embarrassed, playfully irritated at DORIS for telling them. She knows she has exposed his secret, she smirks.

The boys love hearing this.

The BOYS and PAM all look at each other.

All the lights are off. MIKE climbs out of his bedroom window. DAVID and KERRY catch him as he jumps from the roof.

They sneak to KEVIN’s truck without making a sound. PAM sits in the driver’s seat and puts it in neutral. KEVIN, MIKE, DAVID and KERRY push the truck down the driveway. They build up speed and jump into the flat bed. When the truck is far away enough from the house PAM turns on the engine and they drive off.

MIKE’S prog rock band perform. The crowd love him. DAVID, KERRY, KEVIN and PAM drink beer and watch, proud.

KERRY and DAVID do KEG stands, very drunk. KERRY rips his

shirt off and ties it around his head. GIRLS are falling all over him.

KERRY hands A KEG TAP to the closest GIRL, then does a KEG STAND, DAVID helps him get inverted. KERRY then does inverted push ups on the keg while a GIRL pours beer into his mouth.

KEVIN and PAM watch, impressed, amused, but concerned.

KEVIN is a sweet drunk, he just gets a soft and happy.

PAM nuzzles in under his arm.

KEVIN and PAM sneak out of the party and climb into the truck. They are kissing passionately. She unbuckles his pants.

Clothes clumsily start to come off.

She laughs. He doesn’t respond.

She stops and is overcome by a moment of rage because she thinks he is judging her.

They kiss and start to make love for the first time.

FRITZ watches RIC FLAIR beat HARLEY RACE in a cage match for the world heavyweight title on TV. He is strangely calm. He has a plan.

Early Sunday morning ranch chores. KEVIN, KERRY, MIKE and DAVID dig post holes in the field. They are all painfully hung over. It is grueling work and the sun is hot already. KERRY throws up. They all burst out laughing. He looks around to see if FRITZ saw. He covers it up with dirt.

Across the field FRITZ works hard. A Deep anger is welling up in him. He makes a decision.

FRITZ walks across the field to the BOYS working.

KEVIN and DAVID look at each other, smile and shake their heads. What a load of bullshit...

KEVIN and DAVID embrace KERRY. MIKE feels left out.

Out the window, DORIS’ car drives away. MIKE sneaks his hidden guitar amp from deep in his bed.

MIKE plugs his amp into his parents record player. He puts on a brand NEW RECORD. The needle touches down....

KERRY lifts weights. Through the walls he hears the record play on full blast, the bass makes the house vibrate. KERRY finishes a set and sits up, he has an idea...

The Sportatorium is ruckus, packed to the rafters, an energy like we have not seen. THE BROTHERS WALK THROUGH THE BACK STAGE AREA all wearing sequined jackets.

Just as they are about to enter the arena,“TOM SAWYER” by RUSH kicks in on the loud speaker. FANS look around, surprised, excited. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MUSIC WAS USED FOR A WRESTLING ENTRANCE.

KERRY, KEVIN AND DAVID EMERGE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN. They walk down the aisle to the ring. The crowd are in a frenzy. WOMEN storm the aisle to touch the brothers. KERRY is nonchalant, sexy. He plants a kiss on ONE WOMAN and she faints.

The BROTHERS storm the ring and start an all-out brawl with their opponents, THE FABULOUS FREEBIRDS - MICHAEL HAYES, TERRY GORDY, and BUDDY ROBERTS. The pace is exhilarating,

the style is a mix of high flying and chaotic back room brawling. They have it all. THEY ARE AT THE PEAK OF THEIR POWERS TOGETHER.

MONTAGE: A SERIES OF MATCHES WITH THE FREEBIRDS INTERCUTS WITH:

DAVID, KEVIN, and KERRY train. Grueling repetitive moves. FRITZ drills them from ringside, pushing his boys to the extreme.

The tour bus passes by.

The BROTHERS on a tour bus play poker with other WRESTLERS.

THE BROTHERS fight in street clothes in A LEATHER STRAP MATCH. It is brutal, bloody.

DAVID buys pain pills and pops them. Drugs are openly sold in dressing rooms.

FRITZ counts piles of cash, dividing up payments for wrestlers. He skims off the top of DAVID, KEVIN and KERRY’s cash payments.

DAVID, KEVIN, and KERRY party with WRESTLERS on the road. Wild and debauched in shitty hotel lobby bars. DAVID is arm wrestling with BRUISER BRODY. Both men refusing to lose, covered in sweat. WRESTLERS gather around them. GINO

HERNANDEZ cuts a line of coke for KERRY. KERRY snorts it and wants more. DAVID wins the arm-wrestling match. He jumps from table to table to celebrate, then falls knocking everything over. Everyone laughs. GINO confronts DAVID for stepping in his drugs. DAVID gets in his face and tries to start a fight. They get separated. KEVIN sits in the corner, more low key, watching, laughing.

KEVIN, KERRY and DAVID lifts weights together.

The BROTHERS are on multiple MAGAZINE covers. PAM picks up a copy off the magazine rack, proud. KEVIN comes up behind her, embarrassed she is buying it but loving that she is.

KEVIN and PAM walk through the door to their brand new apartment with bags of groceries. A sunny two bedroom, lots of love and potential. They can’t keep their hands off each other...

Close up on DAVID as FRITZ coaches him on the IRON CLAW. Sweating, exhausted, pushing his grip wider, the nerves in his forearm being stretched past their max. DAVID hits his breaking point. DAVID and FRITZ CLASH. FRITZ pushes DAVID down, gets him in order, and they start again.

DAVID WANTS THIS...

We see the BROTHERS’ signature moves:

KEVIN’S FLYING CROSS BODY

KERRY’S SPINNING PUNCH

DAVID’S IRON CLAW

DAVID gets an injection into his back to deal with the pain.

KERRY drives a brand new HARLEY DAVIDSON out of the dealership.

KERRY speeds down a Texas Highway on his brand new motorcycle.

Pained and determined, DAVID tries to rip a closed PHONE BOOK in half. FRITZ sits across from him, willing him on. With an amazing show of strength, DAVID does it.

The ticket office is sold out.

The BROTHERS fight their way into the Sportatorium through screaming fans.

Fans file into the building.

BILL MERCER interviews the brothers. DAVID talks right into camera, KEVIN and KERRY on either side of him.

justice and order to the wrestling federation that our father built with his own two hands. The hands that were passed down to us. The hands that will deliver the Iron Claw to you.

In the climactic sequence, THE BROTHERS wrestle for the NWA 6 MAN TAG TEAM BELTS.

KEVIN flies off the top rope knocking TERRY GORDY out of the ring. Then KERRY puts a spinning punch on MICHAEL HAYES who falls into DAVID’s IRON CLAW. DAVID pins MICHAEL, and the boys win. THE VON ERICH BROTHERS are NWA 6 MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.

FRITZ storms the ring to celebrate with his sons. MIKE, dressed in street clothes joins them. BILL gets in the ring with the MIC to interview the Brothers. TRUE ELATION, UNTIL.... FRITZ picks up the mic and with a crazed intensity, looks directly into the TV camera.

territory out there in the NWA, WCCW is the best in the business, the Von Erichs are the best in the business, and we are coming for you all.

The crowd erupts for the VON ERICHS.

KEVIN is stunned by FRITZ. He tries to stay in character but * he is disoriented, his world just flipped.

KEVIN looks over at DAVID who feels awkward he was just named as next in line to challenge. DAVID leans in.

FRITZ turns and catches them.

The BOYS shake their heads. They shift back to PUBLICLY CELEBRATING their new 6-man tag team championships.

THE LOCKER ROOM IS EMPTY. DAVID, KEVIN and KERRY enter. TIME HAS PASSED. WE FEEL THE GRIND. THEY sit down in the dressing room, sweat-drenched, sore, and exhausted after another grueling match. Their hair is a little longer, costumes a little brighter. KERRY is covered in blood. KEVIN straps ice bags to both knees. DAVID’S back has seized up. He gets an injection to deal with the pain. He pops some pills.

FRITZ enters with news. He is buzzing.

DAVID feels bad for KEVIN, but this is what he wants. He looks to KEVIN for some approval.

KEVIN can’t look at DAVID.

FRITZ and DAVID come together and hug, a moment of rare affection. FRITZ turns to KERRY and KEVIN.

FRITZ leaves. KERRY is ecstatic for DAVID. He runs over and picks his brother up giving him a bear hug and swinging him around.

DAVID looks to KEVIN, concerned.

CHURCH BELLS RING. KEVIN and PAM leave the church JUST MARRIED. A small gathering of family and friends crowd the steps.

KEVIN and PAM dance like goofs, totally free together. Everyone crowds around having a great time. KERRY takes DORIS by the hand and they jump onto the dance floor and

join.

KEVIN, joyful and drunk, walks into the bathroom and takes a piss at the urinal. Someone VOMITS in the stall.

KEVIN peeks through the open stall door to see it is DAVID.

KEVIN pushes open the door. DAVID gags, then vomits again. There is BLOOD.

KEVIN means it but they start to laugh. They know it’s a ridiculous idea.

They gently slap box each other, laughing, sitting on the floor of a toilet cubicle.

DAVID puts KEVIN in a loving headlock and messes up his

hair.

DAVID, KEVIN, PAM, KERRY, and MIKE dance a TEXAS LINE DANCE. The wedding party cheer. FRITZ and DORIS watch.

DORIS is having a hot flash. FRITZ takes her sweater off her shoulders. She loosens her collar.

DORIS and FRITZ KISS. They look back at their sons having a wonderful time. The CAMERA PANS ACROSS THE BOYS’ FACES IN CU and comes to rest on DAVID.

KEVIN drives up the long ranch driveway towards the house. He sees a MAN leave the house and walk to A CAR he does not recognize. The CAR drives down the driveway passing KEVIN.

KEVIN sees the look in the MAN’S face. He knows something is wrong. KEVIN parks and runs into the house.

KEVIN walks inside. It is quiet. He looks around for someone. At first it seems empty until he realizes FRITZ is sitting in the living room, completely still...

FRITZ just shakes his head.

KEVIN knows. He sits down - this cannot be happening.

Both men are shattered but show no pain.

They can hear DORIS walking around upstairs. FRITZ looks at the ceiling, frozen with fear, knowing he has to deliver the news to his wife.

KEVIN, numb, is dressed in a black suit waiting for the family to be ready. Amongst the flowers and food that have been sent to the house is a pile of recent unopened mail. A postcard catches his eye. He is pulled towards it. It is from Japan. A lump in his throat. He is afraid to read it.

But he does:

Kev, Sorry I sent this to the house, I couldn’t remember your new address. I miss you Brother, you got to come with me next time, it’s wild over here. Someone asked me for an autograph today because they thought I was you. Made me very happy. I’ll probably be home by the time you get this so this is stupid but just wanted to send. See you soon.

This is too much for KEVIN to bear. He slips it back into the pile.

DORIS gets dressed for the funeral. A long sleeve BLACK DRESS, black gloves and a black veil. She looks at herself in the mirror. She digs deep to put on a strong face. She has cried for hours, has no tears left, pulling herself out of the hell of a lost child.

PAM sits with KEVIN, KERRY, and MIKE, all wearing sunglasses. DORIS and FRITZ walk outside.

KEVIN takes off his glasses but can’t look at his parents. He can’t stomach the family rallying cry he knows is coming. He pushes down the pain and makes himself numb. PAM cannot believe what she is hearing.

The FAMILY travel together in a LIMO to the funeral. DEVASTATED FANS line the streets paying their respects to the family, waving TEXAS FLAGS and YELLOW ROSES, desperately trying to touch the car as it moves slowly through the procession. KEVIN starts to panic, he cracks the window and desperately tries to breathe some fresh air, trying to stay calm. He looks up at the news helicopter flying above.

A HIGH ANGLE SHOT FROM THE HELICOPTER LOOKING DOWN TO REVEAL THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO MOURN DAVID VON ERICH.

KEVIN lies like dead weight on DAVID’S BED, soaking up what is left of his brother’s scent. PAM finds him and peels him off the bed with all her might.

He struggles to sit up.

FRITZ and THE BOYS sit on the front porch drinking beer. Everyone’s exhausted from the day, lost in their own heads.

have a chance to bring the world heavyweight championship home if one of you will step up and take over from David. Everything we have ever worked for in the ring is riding on this moment.

KEVIN is broken. Over his shoulder he sees a FIREFLY hovering in the dark. A second later it is gone. He wants to protect his brothers, he digs deep, he will bear the burden...

KEVIN looks up, surprised to see KERRY is eager, energetic, empowered by his father’s words. He wants it.

KEVIN is in too much pain to fight it.

KEVIN AND KERRY STAND OFF. FRITZ flips the coin. It tumbles

into the night sky...

The roar of 34,000 fans can be heard... The camera moves up to reveal KERRY, oiled up and ready to go. KERRY won the toss. KEVIN stands behind him in support. The entrance music plays and KERRY walks through the curtain, out into the stadium. KEVIN stays backstage and waits.

Empty. Still. Haunted. In the distance we can hear the TV playing inside, BILL MERCER’S commentary of the Match.

DORIS watches THE MATCH on TV.

ON TV: both men try to toss each other with a hook, neither works, then KERRY gets FLAIR in a full nelson, and turns him over into a back slide and pins him, 1,2,3. The Bell sounds.

Back to DORIS watching, she feels nothing. THE GHOST OF DAVID STANDS BEHIND HER, OUT OF FOCUS IN THE DOORWAY. She feels something behind her. She turns and looks. Nothing is there. She turns off the TV.

The house is quiet. KEVIN walks through the dark hallway and finds KERRY at the dining room table drinking, still buzzing, staring at THE NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BELT.

They look at the BELT.

KERRY leaves. KEVIN looks at THE NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BELT, the thing his family has coveted his whole life. He almost feels disdain. He doesn’t want it in the house, but it is mythical, it has a pull. KEVIN, in a trance, can’t help but get closer to it. He reaches out and touches the belt.

Outside, KERRY’S Harley Davidson fires up. It startles KEVIN, snapping him out of it.

FADE IN:

KERRY RIDES HIS MOTORCYCLE DOWN AN EMPTY TEXAS HIGHWAY. THE BIKE GOES FASTER AND FASTER AND FASTER AND FASTER...

KERRY wakes in discomfort. He sits up and reveals he is scraped all over his body. He has been in some sort of accident.

KERRY takes several pain killers. He puts one aside, crushes it up and snorts it.

KERRY hobbles into the kitchen. He gets a bowl of cereal. We see that his right foot has been AMPUTATED, he now just has a BANDAGED STUMP.

KEVIN, PAM and the BABY approach a teller window. They hand over their driver’s licenses and the TELLER on the other side slides out a draft of the BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

KEVIN reads the paper and makes a decision.

He slides it to her.

The Woman goes back and makes copies. PAM is looking at KEVIN surprised.

KEVIN is teaching MIKE technique in the ring. KEVIN is a good teacher. MIKE is trying but it looks UNNATURAL. KEVIN is generally patient but gets frustrated with MIKE for not being able to perform a simple hip toss.

KEVIN is tired, he composes himself, digs deep for some patience. He looks at MIKE. He doesn’t have it. He wants to send him home. But he doesn’t. He keeps pushing.

THE SPORTATORIUM IS HALF FULL. The ESPN camera teams have gone. It all feels very local again. KEVIN and MIKE wrestle in a tag team match. It lacks tempo and skill. MIKE is an insufficient replacement for DAVID. He should not be in the ring. MIKE does a series of drop kicks on each of the opponents. On the third drop kick, he lands awkwardly and HIS SHOULDER POPS OUT. The ref calls off the match as KEVIN

signals for the medical team.

FRITZ and KEVIN wait for MIKE to come out of surgery. A DOCTOR walks in.

KEVIN sits on the curb in front of the hospital. He’s been up all night. He’s tired, lost in thought, angry, overcome.

KEVIN walks down the hall, aimless, pacing.

KEVIN sits in the phone booth quietly, talking to PAM.

KEVIN looks across the room at FRITZ, sitting alone.

The Baby cries... KEVIN lays awake in bed, staring at the wall. PAM is dressed in vet scrubs standing over him with the BABY.

KEVIN doesn’t want to touch the baby.

She passes him the crying BABY. KEVIN can’t get the baby to calm.

MIKE and KEVIN sit behind a folding table for a MAKESHIFT PRESS CONFERENCE. KEVIN is jubilant, so thankful his brother is OK that he is bursting.

MIKE struggles to speak. He is reaching.

His delivery suggests he sustained MILD BRAIN DAMAGE. KEVIN watches, worried. He stays positive, hoping this will pass.

FRITZ stands off to the side, out of view of the reporters, eyes steadily on his sons.

A FAMILY DINNER... DORIS, FRITZ, KERRY, MIKE, KEVIN, PAM and THE BABY sit at the table. MIKE IS A ZOMBIE. They know something is wrong, but no one will say it. PAM and KEVIN make eye contact, heartbroken by MIKE’S condition. The hope it would pass is fading.

FRITZ EATS, HEAD DOWN. HE CAN’T LOOK AT HIS TWO BROKEN SONS.

KEVIN FEELS PARANOID. He feels something behind him. He looks over his shoulder and stares at an empty doorway leading to a long dark hallway. The baby starts to cry.

KEVIN wrestles with his new, stand in Tag Team partner LANCE. KEVIN waits to be tagged back in, but LANCE doesn’t tag him. LANCE gloats, soaking up the fans, making the most of his moment. He is loving the attention. He doesn’t get the Von Erich way. KEVIN struggles to take part in the charade but pushes through, waiting to be tagged in. But LANCE doesn’t tag him in. KEVIN is forced to just watch this imposter finish the match by himself.

KEVIN is the last person in the building. He sits alone in the locker room. He can’t bring himself to go home.

KEVIN walks through the dark empty hallways of the Sportatorium.

KEVIN pulls a blanket out of the desk drawer and goes to sleep on the floor.

KERRY attaches a PROSTHETIC FOOT fitted into an old boot.

Determined, KERRY hobbles around the fields getting used to his fake foot. He starts to jog and falls over. He gets up and keeps jogging. He is in severe pain. He lets out a primal scream.

MIKE stares at the watercolor painting. Doris brings him lunch.

nothing to be scared of.

DORIS thinks about this for a moment, but it’s too much to really confront.

MIKE sits on his bed struggling to strum his guitar. It is clear his hands no longer work the same way. He is scared, frustrated, angry.

MIKE takes a pill. He looks down at the bottle and takes another pill. Then another. And another. And another. And another... He has written a note that sits on the side of the sink:

I’m sorry if I hurt you, but I am going to a better place.

KEVIN and KERRY train in their back yard ring. KERRY is back on his feet working with KEVIN. KERRY grits his teeth and pushes through the pain. His boot comes off with his prosthetic in it.

KERRY falls over and just lays on his back.

KERRY slips his leg back on. HE stands. The sheer pressure of his leg meeting the prosthetic is painful. It is hard for KEVIN to see.

KERRY pushes KEVIN.

KERRY punches KEVIN in the side of the head with real force. KEVIN loses his cool and retaliates with a kick to KERRY’S chest. KERRY falls flat on his back, winded. KEVIN stands over him.

KERRY jumps up and they lock up. KERRY’s leg holds up, he gets his strength back, he is determined. They push each other but neither relents...

In the distance, in the field, we see a flashlight.

MIKE walks through a field in the middle of the night holding a sleeping bag and a flashlight. He is determined and decided. He is not coming back.

A small search party including KEVIN, KERRY and FRITZ canvasses the land looking for MIKE. They find him.

DORIS stands in her underwear. She stares at the SAME BLACK FUNERAL DRESS laid out on the bed. She starts to shake. She physically cannot put it on again. PAM knocks and enters.

PAM sees DORIS has broken. She takes her hand and tries to comfort her.

PAM hugs her. They cry together.

DORIS walks up to a small podium wearing the same BLACK DRESS and VEIL she wore to DAVID’s funeral. She addresses the attendees.

PAM is exhausted by the party line. She looks over at KERRY

and KEVIN watching on, no sadness left, just numb.

After the service, people gather and talk. PAM approaches KEVIN. They speak quietly, close together so no one hears.

PAM tries to get through to him.

She touches his face but he flinches. He is losing it...

KEVIN bounces off the ropes, building up speed, crisscrossing the ring, back and forth, back and forth, furious, possessed.

KEVIN does push-ups. Over and over and over again. ALONE in the empty Sportatorium. Machine.

KEVIN working out by himself is intercut with images of FRITZ and THE BROTHERS all training in the same ring together.

KEVIN sits alone in the ring, sweating, breathing heavy. Determined...

KEVIN waits backstage ready for a match. He looks different - bigger, more focused, fiercer.

ON TV MONITOR: BILL MERCER INTERVIEWS RIC FLAIR WHO SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO CAMERA.

you take the ups and downs. If you're a real man, you'll never go down. You'll just stay up. That's why I am the World's Heavyweight Champion. And I can go through Kevin Von Erich, or any Von Erich on the worst day of my life. Whoo. Whoo. Whoooo. Walk the aisle, daddy's boy! Walk the aisle!

THE SPORTATORIUM IS ONCE AGAIN FULL, LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

RIC FLAIR parades around the ring, his famous WHOOOOO echoing through the building. He takes off his elaborate robe to reveal the new, bigger, shinier world heavyweight title belt.

KEVIN charges to the ring - no music, no parade, all business. THE CROWD goes crazy, grabbing at him, but he doesn’t stop to acknowledge them.

KEVIN jumps into the ring and attacks RIC FLAIR. He is ferocious. Shocking. KEVIN LETS OUT ALL OF HIS RAGE ON THE WORLD CHAMPION. The match is brutal and only escalates. KEVIN kicks FLAIR in the head and connects above his eye. BLOOD DRIPS DOWN FLAIR’S FACE.

KEVIN puts the IRON CLAW on FLAIR. The crowd erupts and cheers him on. FLAIR falls to his knees and after a moment inches himself to the edge of the ring so he can grab hold of the ropes. The REF tells KEVIN to release. (The rule is you must release a submission hold when your opponent grabs the ropes.) But KEVIN refuses. He digs deeper and harder on FLAIR’S forehead. Blood pouring out over his hand, FLAIR’S face unrecognizable.

The REF warns KEVIN again to let go. He doesn’t. KEVIN just shouts in FLAIR’S face. The crowd is losing energy now. They are not sure what to make of this HORROR SHOW. The REF offers one final warning, but KEVIN can no longer hear him.

He has lost it. The referee rings the bell.

The crowd boos. TWO other officials are now in the ring trying to pull KEVIN off of FLAIR. But KEVIN just screams, it feels like AN EXORCISM - an absolute release of years of pent-up anger.

FRITZ and KERRY run to the ring and get involved. They finally rip KEVIN away. He pushes them off too. He’s like a wild animal. They contain him and carry him out of the ring.

KEVIN sits staring at the floor. He is still. Calm. Almost serene. KERRY sits by his side. FRITZ sits across from them, furious, fuming.

KEVIN is not talking about the match - a fog has lifted.

RIC FLAIR comes into the locker room, covered in blood, laughing. The BIG GOLD BELT around his waist.

FRITZ looks at the belt. Disgusted it’s not in his possession. He gets up and taps KERRY on the shoulder.

FRITZ and KERRY walk out. KEVIN is left alone. He looks down at his hand, his blood covered Iron Claw. After a moment he laughs to himself. He can see clearly now...

KEVIN approaches his apartment. He knocks on his own front door. PAM opens it. She is on the phone, holding the BABY. The dog runs out and jumps up on KEVIN. PAM walks back inside. KEVIN steps in. She hands over the BABY while she finishes talking on the phone. He overcomes a moment of hesitation and takes the BABY, looks at him, and holds him tight once again. PAM hangs up the phone.

FADE IN:

KEVIN picks up his TWO SONS, now FIVE and SIX from school. They run to him and give him a hug. He scoops them up and carries them to the car.

KEVIN prepares dinner to his TWO SONS. He almost trips on the dog, then a football. The kitchen is tiny. They have outgrown their home. He is frustrated, but sits and eats with the kids, loving their company. PAM arrives home in her scrubs, exhausted. The dogs jump up on her. She kisses her three boys on the head.

They look around the crowded tiny apartment. It’s unsustainable.

KEVIN is now the boss, dressed in khakis and a button down - OLDER, WISER, WORN. KEVIN is rooting through the FINANCIAL RECORDS. He comes across something that does not make sense. He cross references to the previous year. And the year before that.

Bill interrupts.

WCCW has downsized. It is just KEVIN and BILL in the office.

Like his father before him, KEVIN stands in the floor to

ceiling window looking down at wrestlers training in the empty Sportatorium.

KEVIN’S BOYS sit on the floor in front of the TV watching their uncle KERRY wrestle in the WWF against MR PERFECT for the INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP. He looks better than ever. KEVIN and FRITZ sit on the couch. KEVIN builds up the nerve to confront his father.

KEVIN is furious.

Just then, ON TV the climax of the match happens. They stop talking and watch on as KERRY beats MR PERFECT. The BOYS and FRITZ jump up and celebrate. But KEVIN is seething. FRITZ turns back to him.

KEVIN doesn’t respond. But he knows what he will do.

The Ranch at last light on a chilly winter night. The glow of Christmas inside. KEVIN and PAM are there with DORIS and FRITZ. KERRY arrives home for Christmas to A HERO RETURNS.

TANIA, KERRY’S new girlfriend, is with him. They are both drunk and maybe high. TANIA is overly aggressive in hugging each member of the family.

KEVIN and PAM share a glance in disbelief at FRITZ’s rant.

KERRY goes to the Kitchen to grab beer from the fridge.

KERRY comes back in and gives a beer to TANIA and drinks another. Now everyone realizes he’s drunk. FRITZ is upset.

KERRY digs through his bag and pulls out a GIFT.

KERRY is so eager, like a child looking for approval. FRITZ reluctantly unwraps it. It is a beautiful REVOLVER.

FRITZ puts the gun in the living room GUN CASE.

KERRY goes to the kitchen to grab another beer. KEVIN follows.

They hug. A CHRISTMAS ALBUM plays from the living room.

KEVIN looks at him hard, there is something missing behind KERRY’S eyes.

KERRY cracks three beers and hands one to KEVIN. They cheers and sip.

THE PHONE RINGS. KEVIN wakes and picks up before it can wake the house.

KERRY sits on the edge of the bed. He’s drunk, high.

INTERCUT:

KEVIN just shakes his head. KERRY starts to cry.

KEVIN doesn’t know what to say.

KEVIN is losing patience.

This hits a nerve. Outside the sun rises. KEVIN digs deep - calms down.

KERRY hangs up. KEVIN thinks for a moment, then calls home.

FRITZ hangs up.

KEVIN drives out to the ranch. He sees his father working in the field. He looks towards the house and sees a rental car parked strangely on the front lawn. The front door to

the house is wide open. KEVIN gets out of his truck and walks up to the rental car. Nothing inside. He walks towards the house, steps onto the porch, and is about to enter through the door when a GUN SHOT GOES OFF. HE freezes. Looks around. He starts to search when he sees KERRY, laying limp under the tree they called CHUCK HOWLEY.

KEVIN runs to his brother and finds him laying limp, a bloody mess, gun shot through the chest. The gun he got his father for Christmas is the weapon.

KEVIN turns to see FRITZ lumbering across the field towards them. KEVIN is overcome by rage. He rushes FRITZ and tackles him knocking him flat on his back. FATHER AND SON FINALLY FIGHT.

FRITZ, still strong as an OX, rolls KEVIN over.

KEVIN, with a surge of rage overturns the giant FRITZ VON ERICH and slams him down. KEVIN strangles FRITZ for a long moment, seeming like he won’t ever let go. FRITZ struggles to breathe and submits. Just as FRITZ is about to run out of air, KEVIN let’s go. FRITZ lays still, breathing heavy.

Defeated.

KEVIN picks up KERRY and walks away. FRITZ sits up and stares at the blood and the gun on the grass.

KERRY’S SUICIDE NOTE IS IN PLACE OF THE GUN:

I don’t know what is on the other side, but I can’t be here anymore. Tonight I walk with my brothers.

KEVIN puts KERRY’S BODY on the dining room table. KEVIN looks down at another lost brother. He kisses his mouth.

THE CAMERA floats through the field as KERRY’S SOUL walks. He looks down and sees his foot is back. He jumps up and down on it, happy.

KERRY sits in a small boat drifting across the water. A FIREFLY guides him. He turns a corner revealing a DOCK, the same dock where they swam as kids. MIKE and DAVID sit, waiting for him.

KERRY steps out of the boat and onto the dock. They hug and kiss each other on the cheeks. Each hug is tender, physical and loving and gentle, unlike anything in their life.

MIKE is healthy with long hair wearing a pink bandana, guitar strapped over his back. He looks like a 70s rock star.

DAVID towers even taller, looking his best, a strapping cowboy. He wears a massive GOLD CHAMPIONSHIP BELT.

The BROTHERS gesture towards the FIREFLY. The firefly disappears and then KERRY feels a tap on his back. He turns to look down at a sweet scruffy little boy, around 6. This is JACK JR.

KERRY picks him up. He is pure and gentle sweetness.

The FOUR brothers huddle together. Reunited.

KEVIN sits at the table, alone, holding KERRY’s hand, looking out the window, comforted by the thought of them all being together.

The Sportatorium is completely empty. KEVIN signs over the business to a wrestling promoter, JERRY.

KEVIN just laughs. Shakes his head.

They look around the building.

JERRY steps away. KEVIN takes one last look at the empty arena.

THE HOUSE FEELS COLD, DARK, EMPTY. FRITZ arrives home from a day of working in the fields. The lights are off, the house feels different.

He walks through to the kitchen to find her painting. He has never seen this in their 45 years together.

FRITZ sits down across from her. The couple sit together in silence.

A NEW DAY...KEVIN and PAM lay in bed entwined. PAM is heavily pregnant. Dogs and cats all around. All love. KEVIN whispers to her belly, trying not to wake the kids.

The BOYS burst into the room and jump on their parents.

KEVIN scoops them up into a power slam. The boys play wrestle on the bed.

A beautiful afternoon in the back yard. KEVIN watches his SONS play football like the uncles they didn’t get to know. It fills him with joy but also breaks his heart. He is boiling over with emotion and finally, for the first time, KEVIN begins to cry. His BOYS notice. They stop playing and walk over to him, confused.

The BOYS get on either side of him and hug him. He sobs * harder, letting it all out. The BOYS are naturally * affectionate and don’t hesitate to show him warmth.

The BOYS and KEVIN hug. He holds them tight.

KEVIN gives them each a kiss on the cheek. He looks at them. He feels love and feels loved. Something lifts. KEVIN and the BOYS get up and start playing football together. The camera rises up. PAM walks out into the grass with the dogs to join them. The camera keeps rising to reveal the beautiful land where they now live. It is humble and idyllic, full of warmth, love, and possibility. The camera continues to rise up and up and up.

In 2009 The Von Erich Family was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

To this day they are considered one of the greatest families in the history of wrestling.

Kevin and Pan have been married for over 40 years.

They bought a ranch and everyone came to live with them.

All four children and thirteen grandchildren.