It seems more than ever that former wrestling greats are seeing their children step into the squared circle. For longtime fans, it is a strange situation as many of the offspring pale in comparison to their great mothers or fathers. Some cases see children become wrestlers because it seems almost like a free ride. Due to their mother or father being great in the ring, they feel like they should have it easy on the way to fame and fortune. However, others know better and they spend every waking minute trying to live up to the name their parent created.

Being the child of a wrestling star is an unenviable task. For some, they can never live up to the demands and expectations their name bestows on them. These youngsters can work incredible hard, but enjoy little to no success. In addition, they could also pay for the mistakes of their parents.

While there are children of former wrestlers who should avoid the business, there are those currently thriving. Second, third and fourth-generation wrestlers are now working in the business and finding success. Some are working for the WWE, while others have carved out their own niche outside the company's bright lights. It is a difficult task, but being the child of a former wrestler does have its positives.

25 Should Avoid: Gunner Calaway

Gunner Calaway looks unassuming and more like someone you would find working in IT than wrestling. Gunner is the son of The Undertaker, Mark Calaway, and looks much like his father did in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Well, they look alike in the face to be exact as the younger Calaway lacks the physique his father has possessed as an adult. The two do have the same red hair that The Undertaker began dying in the 1990s to become more menacing. If Gunner looked more like his father physically, he could join the WWE and be an Undertake 2.0; but alas, that seems unlikely now.

Gunner isn't afraid to tell the world that he is The Undertaker's son.

Across social media channels, the younger Calaway informs all that he is the WWE icon's offspring. It is a strange twist since his father has worked so hard to keep kayfabe all these years. There are few pictures of the two together online, which shows just how hard The Undertaker has worked to keep kayfabe alive and well. Without the frame and physical makeup of his father, it is a good idea for Gunner to avoid the business. Even though it might be tempting to get into the business, living up to his father's legacy will be impossible.

24 Following Their Footsteps: Bronwyn Billington

Former WWE wrestler Dynamite Kid has had severe health problems for nearly 25 years. Much of his time today is spent in hospital following a stroke he suffered in 2015. Dynamite Kid revolutionized wrestling in the 1980s alongside Japan's Tiger Mask. Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and many more cruiserweights adopted the style of both Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask. Now, Dynamite Kid's daughter, Bronwyn Billington, has taken to the squared circle. Known as the Dynamite Doll, she works Canadian indie shows alongside real-life husband Dynamite Dan. The duo mostly works for Real Canadian Wrestling.

Raised in Calgary alongside the Hart family, the Dynamite Doll is the oldest of Dynamite Kid's children. According to the Doll, her husband was trained in the Hart family Dungeon, keeping alive the connections her side of the family have to Calgary. Now in her 30s, the Dynamite Doll didn't set out to be in the wrestling business. She just happened to walk Dynamite Dan to the ring during a show and suddenly caught the wrestling bug. Like the other children of the Hart family, and Dynamite Kid's former tag team partner Davey Boy Smith, the Dynamite Doll is keeping alive the name her father created; even if the WWE wants no part of her side of the family.

23 Should Avoid: Kolby Koloff

It is highly doubtful that Kolby Koloff will ever get into the wrestling business. But if she ever considers it, Kolby should avoid going into the industry. The youngest daughter of Jim Crockett Promotions NWA and WCW wrestler Nikita Koloff, Kolby is experiencing a burgeoning singer career currently. Upon Nikita's retirement in 1992, he became a born-again Christian. He went on to preach at his own ministry in subsequent years. Nikita's Christian lifestyle transformation occurred just before Kolby was born in 1996. She grew up in the household following her father's retirement and life change. It influenced her to become a Christian and led her to become a Christian pop singer. In 2015, Kolby's first record, "Grow", was released and she had two singles place on the Christian music charts.

At just 21, Kolby has youth on her side. With her music career taking off, it is unlikely she will ever enter the world of professional wrestling. Due to her values and the lessons she will have learned from her father, it would be wise for her to avoid working with the WWE or other promotions in any capacity. Just one look at Kolby's social media and you will never have guessed she is the daughter of a famous 1980s professional wrestler.

22 Following Their Footsteps: Buddy Roberts Jr

Buddy Roberts was one-third of The Fabulous Freebirds tag team. Roberts, Michael "P.S." Hayes and Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy made up the original members of the team, and all hell would break loose wherever the trio went. Roberts passed away in 2012 at the age of 65, but his son picked up the wrestling torch and continues to work sporadically today. Buddy Roberts Jr debuted in 2009 working for Windy City Pro Wrestling. Although wrestling was his dad's love and business for over 30 years, Roberts Jr has found a life outside of the ring. Most of the youngster's matches have taken place in and round the Chicago area where Roberts Jr lives, allowing him to work his shoot job.

Like many second-generation wrestlers, Roberts Jr could have gotten into the business and expected a big push early on.

However, thanks to the youngster's training at Harley Race's wrestling school, he learned the sport from old-school veterans. One look at Roberts Jr's Twitter and you will find someone that loves wrestling and mixed martial arts. While he doesn't work regularly – or much at all in 2018 – he still expresses his opinions on the business. In addition, you will find Roberts Jr tweeting about whiskey as he seems to enjoy it as much as his legendary father did.

21 Should Avoid: Steve Borden Jr

Steven Borden Jr has the physique and look to be a professional wrestler. The son of WWE Hall of Fame inductee Sting, Borden was a standout tight end at Kentucky University. In 2015, Borden earned a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs at a three-day rookie camp. While plenty of children from famous wrestlers have lived in the shadow and are unable to emerge, Borden came to grips with his father's fame long ago. “People usually ask me does that bother you, does that upset you? It's never bothered me,” Borden told The Kansas City Star during his tryout. “It's actually been one of those things that has pushed me my entire life. You see what your dad has done, you want to beat him out".

Although his tryout ended without receiving a contract offer, the former football player is doing quite well. If Borden wants to get into the wrestling business, there are plenty of trainers out there that would work with him. However, avoiding the business would keep him from enduring the nonstop comparisons to his father. Few had the charisma of Sting during his surfer dude, bleach blonde hair, neon color gimmick days. Borden would have difficulty emulating his old man, so best to move on to another career.

20 Following Their Footsteps: Brian Pillman Jr

Brian Pillman Jr made his professional wrestling debut in 2017. Since then, there has been a buzz around the youngster. As the only son of the late, great Brian Pillman, the second-generation wrestler now wants to finish what his dad started. The youngster isn't just another son of a former wrestling great to get into the ring. Pillman Jr was trained by renowned wrestling trainers Lance Storm and Rip Rogers, who have both earned a reputation for being top producers of talent. Pillman Jr debuted at an indie show in Indianapolis, Indiana last December. The son of the former WCW and WWE great has gone on to work for other indies including Black Label Pro. Although he just entered the squared circle for his first ever professional match in late 2017, Pillman has wrestled over 60 matches; something few indie wrestlers can say in such a short time.

At 6ft 2in tall, Pillman Jr is slightly taller than his father, who burst onto the wrestling scene as WCW Light Heavyweight Champion in the early 1990s. "Flyin'" Brian Pillman would go on to be one of WCW's key babyfaces for three years before forming the Hollywood Blondes with "Stunning" Steve Austin. However, it is Pillman Sr's "Loose Cannon" gimmick that is most remembered by wrestling fans. It was the gimmick the older Pillman used in the unforgettable WWE angle that saw Austin pull a gun on his former friend. Pillman Jr may be just matches into his young career, but he does look ready to pick up right where his father left off. Could there be a future angle with Austin? It is begging to be written.

19 Should Avoid: Cameron Kade Hickenbottom

Cameron Kade Hickenbottom may have one of the best wrestling trainers living in his own home. His father, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, is widely considered the greatest wrestler of the 1990s and early 2000s. Michaels was often considered one of the best politicians in the wrestling business. The way he made enemies could hurt any attempt Cameron has at making it big in the business. However, Michaels has friends in high places, and the likes of Triple H and others will be excited to get the youngster into the WWE's Performance Center.

Even if Cameron has athletic ability, entering the wrestling business will be a challenge.

Like so many other second-generation wrestlers, it will be difficult to live up to the heights of his father. In Cameron's case, his father is one of the best of the last 30 years and emulating him will be impossible. He will always be compared to Michaels, and one bad match will see the internet wrestling community criticize his performance. Cameron may not even turn to wrestling as in the past he has exceled on the race track. He could pursue a racing career, if Cameron decides wrestling isn't in his future.

18 Follow In Their Footsteps: David Finlay Jr

David Finlay is a fourth-generation wrestler as his great grandfather, grandfather and father all worked in the business. Many WWE fans will now Finlay's father, Fit Finlay, from his time with the company and with WCW before that. Currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Finlay was initially trained by his father. He debuted in 2012 in his native Germany, a country Fit Finlay often wrestled in during his heyday as a part of Otto Wanz'stent shows, before moving to Japan and joining the New Japan dojo.

Although Finlay has claimed to be the only fourth-generation professional wrestler in the world today, he isn't accurate. Bobby Golden, the son of former WCW wrestler Bunkhouse Buck, is also a fourth-generation grappler and comes from the legendary Welch/Fuller/Golden family. Despite not being aware of other wrestlers' family lineages, Finlay is developing quite well in the Land of the Rising Sun. Finlay works New Japan tours regularly, and early this year, featured on two Ring of Honor shows. It gave the United States' wrestling audience a chance to see the exciting prospect. Fans in North America may get to see more of Finlay in the future. His father is a WWE road agent, and with his connections to the company, it seems only natural that the youngest Finlay will get his chance on the roster sooner rather than later.

17 Should Avoid: Frank Eudy

Sid Vicious is a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and despite being panned by many as a bad worker, the big man was over no matter where he went. Vicious had numerous high-profile pushes, but listen to shoot interviews today, and you will hear plenty of wrestlers who didn't like him. In October 1993 while on a European tour with WCW, Vicious was involved in one of the most famous, or infamous, incidents in wrestling history. After spouting off about his contract and telling Arn Anderson that Ric Flair should step aside, Vicious was attacked by "The Enforcer" back at his room. Depending on who is telling the story the events change, but for the most part, Anderson has come out of the ordeal as the "good guy".

The fallout from the incident hurt Vicious' career, but it wasn't the only incident to harm him. Due to all of the politics and problems Vicious was involved with during his career, it is a good idea for his son Frank Eudy to bypass the business. Although Frank was blessed with similar height to his dad, he doesn't have the muscles or the looks. It doesn't help that the WWE is still unhappy with Vicious, so an attempt at a job with the company probably won't be offered anytime soon.

16 Following Their Footsteps: Colby Corino

Twenty-one-year-old Colby Corino got his wrestling start in 2001 although his full in-ring debut didn't come until 2009 Even then, Corino was just 13. The son of former ECW World Heavyweight champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Steve Corino, Colby has been working longer than many of his contemporaries in wrestling. The young Corino was taken on tours with his father as a kid, as Steve and son traveled around the world for the elder Corino's matches. The second-generation wrestler has trained in New Japan Pro Wrestling's dojo and also spent time in TNA and Ring of Honor. It is believed Colby could join up with WWE developmental territory NXT in the near future due to his father. Steve is currently a trainer at the facility after leaving ROH in 2016.

Unfortunately, the last two years haven't been kind to Colby as the wrestler has gotten into legal trouble that could hamper his career. Colby was stopped in December 2016 after he was found unconscious in his home. At the time, Colby was just 20. He later published a video online claiming that he would get help. Just months after his first incident, Colby was stopped again, this time for shoplifting less than $300 of merchandise from a Florida store. According to recent Tweets by Colby, the "wrestling bug" is now dormant in him. However, it could get brought back to life at anytime.

15 Should Avoid: Blade Hart

Blade Hart has seen the highs and lows of the wrestling business. It is this reason he should avoid the WWE and any wrestling promotion that may have a job for him. Blade was there in Montreal on the night Vince McMahon turned the WWE World Heavyweight Championship into a mockery. He later experienced the passing of his uncle in 1999 and Bill Goldberg's ridiculously stiff kick on Bret that ended his career. Yes, Blade has seen the worst that can happen in wrestling. Perhaps it is seeing the bad in professional wrestling that has turned Blade off of the sport. He doesn't share much, if anything, about wrestling on his social media pages. You will probably see just as many tweets about McDonald's and breakfast burritos as you will about his father.

Although Blade and his brother Dallas did receive some wrestling training from both Lance Storm and Dory Funk Jr, their father didn't push them to become wrestlers.

Bret had experienced the business firsthand and wanted something better for his sons. Due to a disinterest in becoming wrestlers, Blade and his brother started a business called Sharpshooter Loans. The company provides business loans and financial solutions. It is a much smarter way to make a living than taking bumps.

14 Following Their Footsteps: Cody Hall

Cody Hall is a second-generation wrestler currently working in Japan's Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion. The youngster has a lot of the same traits that made his father, Scott Hall, one of the top wrestlers of the 1990s. At 6ft 9in and well over 260-pounds, Hall has the physical presence that so many modern wrestlers lack. If there is a downside to Hall, it is his lack of charisma and mic skills. The good news is, the kid is still young and learning.

Hall's father had around seven years of wrestling experience until he got on the radar of WCW and the WWE. Scott had met Diamond Dallas Page while working in the AWA in the 1980s. It was Page that influenced the future Razor Ramon to shave his outdated moustache in 1991 and slick his hair back to become the Diamond Stud. A year later, Hall would take the gimmick to the WWE, refine it and become Razor. Using his dad as an example, Cody Hall still has plenty of time to make his mark. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Hall is learning in Japan and is learning to wrestle rather than to do mindless high spots. Hall doesn't often work the United States' indies. He is too often on tour in Japan and has worked promotions in England, too. If he can hone his craft, he could hit American shores and make monster waves.

13 Should Avoid: Dominic Gutierrez

Dominic Gutierrez towers over his father, Rey Mysterio, and looks to have gained the size the masked wrestler never got. In the early 2000s, Dominic was a part of an angle between Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. It saw the youngster on WWE television numerous times during the storyline. Fast forward to 2018 and Dominic is now in his early 20s. It appears Dominic is already in training to become a professional wrestler. Mysterio and his longtime friend Konnan are breaking the kid in. More recently, Dave Meltzer reported Ring of Honor veteran Jay Lethal is also working with Mysterio's son. In terms of Mysterio and Konnan, the two wrestlers are the perfect examples of why Dominic should avoid the business entirely.

Both Mysterio and Konnan have multiple health problems and lifelong injuries due to a career in wrestling. Mysterio has nearly destroyed his knees from all of the high-risk moves he has performed. Dominic did have a short college football career. So, there is proof that he does have some athleticism. However, if he does become a full-time professional, it is in his best interest to shun the high flying moves that made his dad famous. If he isn't going to avoid the business, at least he can save his body by being mat-based.

12 Following Their Footsteps: Ross And Marshall Von Erich

The Von Erich wrestling family are immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame. Despite their enshrinement, the children of the Von Erich boys that rose to fame in the 1980s would be forgiven if they turned their backs on wrestling. The business was the catalyst to hurt for so many in the Von Erich family, and wrestling played a part in the passings of Mike, Kerry and David. However, the third generation of Von Erichs have continued the family tradition of professional wrestling. Kevin Von Erich's sons, Ross and Marshall, are a tag team that has worked the indie circuit since 2012. Trained by their father and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race, the Von Erich brothers have gone on to work for Pro Wrestling NOAH and appeared at TNA's Slammiversary XII. The due regularly appear in Texas for Imperial Revolution Wrestling and continue the family's legacy. There is no word, however, if the brothers are as stiff in the ring as their dad was during his heyday.

The brothers aren't the only third-generation Von Erichs to step into the ring. Their cousin Lacy, daughter of former WWE Intercontinental Champion "Texas Tornado" Kerry Von Erich, also worked in the business. After a short TNA run, however, Lacy decide to hang up her boots just as the boys were getting started.

11 Should Avoid: Mya Lesnar

Before Brock Lesnar married Sable in 2006, he fathered a child with Nicole McClain in a previous relationship. That child is now a teenager and the spitting image of the WWE superstar. Mya Lesnar looks just like her dad, and nothing like her mom. She also excels at sports much like Brock did as a youngster. Mya is one of four children Brock has fathered. His relationship with McClain saw the couple have twins, Mya and Luke. With Sable, Brock has two sons, Turk and Duke. It is possible that all four could get into the wrestling business one day. However, with Mya being incredibly athletic and the rise of women's wrestling being at unparalleled heights, the WWE may attempt to lure her into the business. Vince McMahon loves to sign second-generation wrestlers due to their lineage in the business and Mya could be on his radar soon.

Currently, Mya plays high school volleyball and could go onto college to continue her career.

In December 2017, Brock and Sable were photographed by fans at his daughter's game at Alexandria High School. She isn't just a volleyball star for the school, but the sophomore also competes in track and field, too. Due to her possible future as a college athlete and experiencing the break up of her parents' relationship due to wrestling, it is a good idea for Mya to avoid wrestling.

10 Following Their Footsteps: Usos

It is difficult to believe that former WWE Attitude Era superstar Rikishi could have sons old enough to wrestle today. Jey and Jimmy Uso were just teenagers when their dad was on top of the WWE Universe. Now, the twin brothers are 32 and experiencing a great deal of success as WWE wrestlers. It was a position the duo was destined for, much like the family members that came before them. Jey and Jimmy were trained by their father from an early age. Like their dad and other family members before them, wrestling was a family business, and the two would someday enter the squared circle. The Usos debuted in 2009 in Florida Championship Wrestling, the precursor to NXT, and made the jump to the WWE's main roster 12 months later.

Since joining the main roster in 2010, the Usos have been consistently in the mix for the WWE Tag Team belts. The duo has a combined five title reigns with the WWE Tag Team Championship and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. In 2015, the Usos inducted Rikishi into the WWE Hall of Fame. The moment saw the duo honor their father and bring the big man back into the limelight of the WWE.

9 Should Avoid: James Laurinaitis

James Laurinaitis has the makeup to be a professional wrestler. Of course, there is no pun in that statement, as Laurinaitis' father, Joe, was one half of the Road Warriors tag team. Better known as Animal, the elder Laurinaitis was one of the most feared wrestlers of the 1980s and 1990s. The Road Warriors took the world by storm and countless knockoffs and clones were created around the globe. In fact, there are still tag teams being created using the Road Warriors' mold. James' dad isn't the only family member to be a wrestler as uncles John and Marcus also featured in the squared circle.

James maybe 31-years old, but his athletic background could help him get into the wrestling business. In 2017, he was linked with a possible contract with the WWE's Performance Center. Although considered by many to be too old, James is a former NFL linebacker. He played seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2016. After recording a career 16.5 sacks, he retired in 2017 and took a position with the BIG 10 Network as an analyst. Despite having the athletic ability and family history to make it in professional wrestling, having a cosy job as a football analyst is a great way to spend your retirement.

8 Should Avoid: Colt Toombs

Not long ago, Colt Toombs was preparing for a life in the squared circle and the world of mixed martial arts. Trained by his father "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and local MMA fighters in his home state of Oregon, Toombs began his wrestling career in January 2013. It looked like Toombs would pick up right where his father left off as a wrestler. However, after just six matches, the youngster stopped wrestling. Toombs did have a promising MMA career ahead of him as well. As an amateur, he recorded a 4-0 record. However, upon his first professional MMA encounter, Toombs lost to Art Becerra by a unanimous decision. He hasn't fought since.

His MMA career predated his wrestling adventures, but that hasn't turned Toombs off of either sport. In an interview in February 2018, Toombs said he is working on a professional wrestling start-up business. Toombs is now avoiding wrestling in matches, but he may very well run his own shows in the future as a promoter, if he can get his company off the ground. He isn't necessarily avoiding wrestling, but he isn't taking bumps. Toombs is also an accomplished author as he and his sister Ariel wrote their father's biography after he passed away in 2015. Originally set to be Piper's autobiography, the Toombs children completed the work to critical acclaim.

7 Following Their Footsteps: Leland Race

It isn't easy being the son of a legend. There is so much you must live up to, and in almost every case, it is impossible. What makes it even more difficult to be the son of a legend is trying to follow in their footsteps. Leland Race has carved out his own niche in the wrestling business as a worker and as the head of World League Wrestling. The company was created by Leland's father, the great Harley Race, and it promises to give fans real professional wrestling.

Based in Missouri, WLW trains the stars of tomorrow at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy, which has turned out plenty of great professionals including Ted DiBiase Jr and Trevor Murdoch. As Harley's health has reportedly deteriorated over the last few years, Leland has taken a bigger role in his father's business interests. At one time, WLW had a strong working relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. It led the company to be the springboard to the Japanese promotion. WLW works occasionally with New Japan, and in 2016, Leland participated in the company's World Tag League Tournament along with Brian Breaker. It may not be easy being the son of a legend, but Leland is definitely doing things on his own terms in the wrestling business.

6 Should Avoid: Tristen Nash

In 2014, Kevin Nash and his then teenage son, Tristen, were arrested due to a domestic dispute. According to a Nash shoot interview that followed, Tristen had come home drunk and words between the two quickly escalated. Tristen had spat in his father's face, and Kevin quickly took his son to the kitchen floor. Tristen stated "Diesel"choke slammed him, although that has been disputed. Regardless of how Tristen went down, it was a quick end to personal issues the family was going through, and it showed the offspring of the former WWE and WCW World Heavyweight Champion shouldn't try his hand at professional wrestling.

But it isn't just his father's quick and easy take down that should dissuade Tristen from stepping into the squared circle. The elder Nash made a lot of enemies during his wrestling career as both a talent and booker. There are plenty of wrestlers out there that would love nothing more than to bury Tristen at every opportunity. Since charges were dropped in early 2015, not much has been heard from Tristen. Now 21, he may be laying low as his arrest made headlines around the world. It may be difficult for him to live down his fight with a then 55-year-old "Diesel".