Family always begets family. Family helps family out. Family gets family jobs, and so on. Perhaps more than any other sports and/or entertainment industry, wrestling has dozens of families and hundreds of family members spread over all facets of the wrestling business. Brothers, sisters, cousins, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. You name the familial relation, there's certainly a wrestler related to another wrestler or wrestlers.
Thanks to all of these dynasties, there are a slew of wrestlers right now who are related to someone who made their bones in the wrestling industry. More and more are coming every single day. Right now, in the MLW promotion, there is a new Hart Foundation with Davey Boy Smith Jr, Teddy Hart, and Brian Pillman Jr. who is the spitting image of his great father, the Loose Cannon.
The tag line of WWE is, Then. Now. Forever. Thanks lately in part to all of the professional wrestling legacies and dynasties, that motto has never been more prevalent. Most of the time, the next generation is better than the last, but every so often greatness skipped a generation as well. Some members of a wrestling family are just so legendary and successful that it's difficult for anyone who comes after them to live up to that. In other cases, one family member got their foot in the door and paved the way for others in their family, who proceeded to greatly surpass them.
Who’s better than who? Here are 25 Wrestlers That Were Way Better Than Their Family Members.
25 Randy Orton > Bob Orton
It has been repeated by the commentators ad nauseam. If you built a wrestler from the ground up - he'd look, walk, and talk like Randy Orton. In a way, that's not just hype. He has been the perfect bridge between the old school and way of working matches and the newer, faster approach by stars of today.
The third-generation superstar became the youngest world champion ever and has achieved far more than either his grandfather or father, Cowboy Bob Orton did in their careers. No disrespect to Ace, but the guy is best known for seconding Roddy Piper and having an arm that was broken forever. Orton surpassed Ace long before he even earned his first world title shot.
24 Randy Savage > Lanny Poffo
One Poffo son is heralded as possibly the greatest ever to ever do it. The other is known for flinging frisbees into the crowd. One was a king, a champion, and a Hall of Famer. The other managed The Beverly Brothers and Mr. Perfect. To be fair to Lanny Poffo, the guy was one of the first wrestlers in North America to utilize the moonsault. He was also one of the first to encourage fan participation with his frisbees, that he would heave into the crowd after delivering a promo.
He was a fine performer. But his brother was Macho Man Randy Savage! Need anyone say any more? There might not be a single wrestling fan who grew up in the eighties and early nineties who doesn’t have their own raspy Macho impression or wore out their parents’ couches by flying off of them delivering the big elbow. Everyone loved the Macho Man, and no one loved him more than his brother, Lanny.
23 Dusty Rhodes > Cody & Dustin
To measure the legacy of Dusty Rhodes would be like asking someone to climb a mountain with a toothpick; it can never be done. He has inspired hundreds of wrestlers and announcers throughout his storied career. He inspired Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan - does he really need any more resume points than that? His reach encapsulated so many fans and talents; and that was long before he became one of the trainers at NXT.
His sons Cody and Dustin are both powerhouses in their own right. Goldust is one of the most enduring and beloved characters in WWE history. Cody left his WWE career behind and has redefined what it means to be an indie star. But both boys know that they'll forever be in the yellow polka dotted shadow of the Dream.
22 Charlotte Flair > David Flair
The Nature Boy Ric Flair is revered not just throughout the sports entertainment world, but the world at large. Thanks to the Offset song and the ESPN 30 For 30 special, he has finally been getting the recognition from outside the wrestling world that he always deserved. His daughter Charlotte has been cementing her legacy while consistently paying homage to The Man. It's a tightrope walk that she deftly walks across every night.
Charlotte will most likely go down as one of, if not the greatest of her generation. As for her older brother, David - that's another story entirely. He had a brief run in WCW and became more and more unhinged, he went far away from stylin’ and proflin’. But he also just wasn't cut out for the business. He retired in 2009, but in reality, his most notable time known the industry was long before that.
21 Jerry Lawler > Brian Christopher
Every so often a wrestler can transcend their sport and become an icon. Jerry Lawler did that over 30 years ago during his program with Andy Kaufman. Ask anyone who lives in or around Memphis and they'll tell you it's the City Of Kings. Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, BB, and Jerry Lawler all claim lordship over The Birthplace Of Rock N’ Roll.
His son, Brian wasn't half bad in the ring and had charisma. But compared to his father, that skill and star power was just so hard to live up to. He never was going to achieve the level of his royal father, but he also didn't really live up to being a prince either.
20 Eddie Guerrero > Chavo Guerrero
Make no mistake about it - Chavo Guerrero is amazing and has had an amazing career. He was a champion in WCW, WWE, their version of ECW, and champion in TNA. That’s rarified air that only someone with kind of pedigree would and could have. He even followed in his uncle Mondo’s footsteps and trained this new generation of GLOW actors for the Netflix show. There isn't a promotion on this planet that wouldn't be jackpot lucky to have him on their roster.
But he isn't Eddie. That's all there is to it. The Hall Of Famer was a once in a lifetime performer. Think about the Latin audience that flocked to SmackDown when he was on the show. With all due respect to Rey, Alberto, and especially Chavo, no one has garnered the kid of adoration and admiration that Eddie had.
19 Shane McMahon > Stephanie McMahon
The heirs apparent to WWE have both made tremendous strides in the aspect they've both chosen for the business. Shane-O-Mac helped craft the WWE’s web presence before stepping away. Meanwhile, The Billion Dollar Princess, along with her hubby have been consistently taking the company to new global heights.
Somehow, for some reason, Shane has always been held in higher regard than Stephanie. Perhaps it's his fearlessness in the ring, but she's just as fearless as he is in different ways. But certainly, in the ring, no matter how much Stephanie works to get ready for the now once in the blue moon she does wrestle, Shane's in-ring skills have always been far better than his sister’s (and his father's for that matter).
18 Carmella > Paul Van Dale
Be honest - did anyone hear about perennial journeyman, Paul Van Dale before fans learned Carmella is a second-generation superstar? He worked for the WWE during the early 90s. But he certainly didn't garner any memorable status like fellow journeymen, Barry Horowitz or Iron Mike Sharpe. Dale’s biggest contribution to the industry is that he is Carmella’s dad.
The Princess of Staten Island has made a huge mark on SmackDown live. Called up while still learning the basics, she was kind of put into sink or swim mode. Not only did she learn to swim with the sharks and become the first (and second, technically) ever Money In The Bank winner as well as a former champion.
17 The Rock > Rocky Johnson
The Soul Man Rocky Johnson was one of the greats of the seventies in the then WWF. Before becoming one half of the first ever African-American tag champs with Tony Atlas, he would spar with boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. If you were ever wondering why Rocky had a wicked punch, he trained with two of the best boxers ever.
That all pales in comparison to the People’s Elbow and the People’s Champion. Razor might have been oozing machismo, but The Great One bled charisma from every orifice. He is also the only (and The Rock means ONLY) true crossover breakout star. He's taken over the world just by being charming self.
16 Bruce Prichard > Tom Prichard
The Heavenly Bodies were an underrated tag team back in the early nineties – Jimmy Del Ray and Tom Prichard worked in Smokey Mountain and the WWE. But other than a pretty cool entrance theme, it’s Prichard’s work outside of the ring that should and will be remembered. Before the Performance Center, the guy trained names like Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, and Flex Kavana…aka The Rock.
As impressive as the long list of trainees is, Brother Love himself Bruce Prichard has had quite the career, spanning over 40 years, beginning at 10 years old working for Houston promotor Paul Boesch. From 1987-2008 with the exception of about a year, he was Vince’s right-hand man. That unique position helped shape the entire company for over 20 years. It also has lent to impressive stories every week on the podcast, Something To Wrestle.
15 Nikki Bella > Brie Bella
It's hard to believe but it's been over 10 years now since the Bella Twins first came into the WWE. That means that it was only a short time ago that women in the company were nothing more than just pretty faces and the occasional two-minute matches. So, the twins, among countless others, didn’t need to learn to work. As the WWE's women's evolution kept happening though, both girls have worked very hard to get better in the ring.
But Nikki far outshines Brie in this field. While their in-ring skills are fairly equal, Nikki exceeds her sister by being the better character, be it heel or babyface. Nikki knows how to get a rise out of the WWE Universe, while Brie usually serves as a backup to her sister or husband.
14 Scott Steiner > Rick Steiner
Together, the Steiner Brothers are one of only a few teams to hold the NJPW, WWE, and WCW tag team titles over the course of their career. Ol’ Hamcubes and Schoolboard themselves were way ahead of their time with their smash mouth suplex style. Long-before Brock ever uttered the words “Suplex City,” the Steiners had laid out the foundation for this fictional wrestling town.
Scott however was always the more athletic and charismatic of the two Motor City Madmen. He also had the gumption to completely change his character when he chopped off his hair and became Big Poppa Pump. Whether he is certifiable or not might be debatable. But the former world champion being a powerhouse in the ring over his older brother is not debatable at all.
13 Ricky Steamboat > Richie Steamboat
Four matches completely made one man’s career. Ricky Steamboat’s classic WrestleMania III match against the Macho Man and his trilogy of matches against Ric Flair all go down as required viewing for any fan, as they cement the Dragon’s place in the business. Yes, that is how great those matches are, and how amazing Ricky Steamboat was.
Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see if his son, Richie would have been able to live up to his father’s legacy. He was training for his own career in FCW when working against Kassius Ohno, he would sustain a career-ending back problem, forced to leave his wrestling career behind.
12 Bruno Sammartino > David Sammartino
Nepotism reared its ugly head when David Sammartino was used for one simple reason – to keep his father around. If David was halfway decent in the ring, that might have been a bonus, but he was nowhere near as great as The Living Legend. It was purely out of respect for his father, that the WWE gave David a shot.
It was something even David knew. When Bruno was involved in David’s matches, the kid was a main eventer. Otherwise he was jobbed out in the preliminary matches. He only lasted a year for the company before fleeing to the faltering AWA, where again he was used solely based on his name to feud with the man his father often clashed with, Stan Hansen.
11 The Million Dollar Man > Ted DiBiase Jr.
Rowdy Roddy Piper might have been the first heel of the Hogan era to be turned and loved by crowds worldwide. But the Million Dollar Man was probably the first to just be loved because he was the bad guy. With so many memorable vignettes and matches, The Million Dollar Man deserved every accolade he was given.
Ted Jr. however just didn’t have “It.” The WWE tried just about everything they could with the guy. They paired him with Cody. They put him in Legacy. They pretty much gave him the Million Dollar Man gimmick. They gave him a party guy character.
DiBiase was a decent worker, but there were only so many gimmicks you could run through before he and the WWE realized that he wasn’t ever going to live up to his dad’s legacy, much less cement his own.
10 Bray Wyatt > Bo Dallas
The talent oozing through both Rotunda boys is enough to fuel at least half a roster. It's a shame they're not used better. Still, they both have gigs on Raw which would be the most important thing for these two. Both Bo Dallas and Bray Wyatt debuted on the main roster around the same time and even then, it was clear who the company brass was higher on. Bray Wyatt was supposed to be one the future top stars of the company.
Some fans and Bray might still be clamoring for that moment. Meanwhile, the first ever NXT Champion of the Network era but has been treated as a mid-card joke. Recently, Bo has been one half of the tag champs, but the damage has been done thanks to years of booking.
9 Booker T > Stevie Ray
The Ebony Experience / Kane and Kole. The Harlem Heat - Booker T and Stevie Ray. Whatever you want to call them, Harlem Heat was the best tag team WCW had to offer. Not coincidentally, they're also the only team to have never sought other pastures to graze in during their entire WCW run. Booker T headed up north only after WCW was purchased. Stevie's only WWE appearance was to induct his brother into the Hall Of Fame.
But long before that, even the brain trust at WCW knew that Booker T had the steak to the sizzle of Harlem Heat. He was already the five–time champ by the time WCW was bought. Stevie might have helped his little brother in the ring, but Booker was leaps and bounds ahead from day one.
8 Road Warrior Animal > Johnny Ace
The phrase, “Big In Japan” might be the very definition of Johnny “Ace” Laurinaitis’ entire career. Stateside, he his career wasn’t much and became a joke to guys like CM Punk, who would rag on him for poorly riding a skateboard to the ring. But for All Japan, the innovator of the Diamond Cutter (which he called the Ace Crusher) was a legendary gaijin.
His brother Joe, who we fans know as Road Warrior Animal was and is fondly thought of the world over as half of one of the greatest and most fearsome tag teams ever – the Road Warriors.
7 Jake The Snake Roberts > Sam Houston & Rockin’ Robin
Unless you're a real old school fan, have you even heard of Sam Houston? Rockin’ Robin at least held a championship during her time in the WWE. But they both pale…beyond pale in comparison to their brother, the legendary Jake The Snake Roberts.
Jake just was amazing with just about every promo he ever gave. His Hall Of Fame career has so many memorable moments throughout his career. The guy was and is over every he goes. His siblings, as much as they might have their fans, no one has had the career Jake Roberts had.
6 Mr. Perfect > Curtis Axel
Sometimes having a successful career doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be headlining WrestleMania year after year or even be on the card some years. Even still, Curtis Axel has been running around the WWE for nearly 10 years now. In that time he has won numerous tag titles with several partners. He is also one-half of the only father-son duo to hold the Intercontinental Championship.
For those that aren't aware, Axel’s dad is Mr. Perfect. JBL used to like to say that Randy Orton is what a wrestler should look like. Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig fits that verbiage far more than just about anyone to have ever worked a match, unless your name is Ric, Shawn, or Bret. No offense to Axel, but even if they tried to strap the rocket to him, he'd never live up to what his dad accomplished.