10 Legendary pro wrestlers who were never WWE World champion

#4 Kerry Von Erich

Kerry Von Erich, alternately known as the Modern Day Warrior and Texas Tornado

Real Name: Kerry Gene Adkisson

Debut: 1979

Career Accolades: Von Erich was a four-time WCWA world champion, and a one time NWA World Heavyweight champion, pinning the legendary Ric Flair for the title at a packed stadium. In addition to over forty other titles, he also captured the WWE Intercontinental title one time.

Kerry von Erich was a member of the legendary, and tragic, Von Erich Clan led by patriarch Fritz Von Erich. They practically ruled the southwestern wrestling promotions in the fading days of the regional era. Kerry himself was the biggest, and most marketable, of the clan.

Unfortunately, his story is as fraught with tragedy as triumph, which may have led to his never having held the WWE championship.

Why he never held the WWE's big belt: Kerry Von Erich, due to numerous accumulated injuries including a partially amputated foot, developed an addiction to painkillers. He was fired from the WWE for his substance abuse issues and later took his own life.