10 Prominent second generation wrestlers and their lineage

A second generation wrestler is, in the essence of the phrase, the offspring of a wrestler. You might have heard Randy Orton and The Rock calling themselves third generation superstars as both their fathers and grandfathers were wrestlers. WWE has had a history of second generation wrestlers compete for them and still continues to add more to that list.These superstars have carried the wrestling lantern forward in their family and have mostly carved a niche for themselves in the industry. Some have attained legendary status.some have been controversial and some are carving their on niche.Here are 10 prominent second generation wrestlers and their lineage

#10 Paige

The 22-year-old from Norwich, England is in her 10th year of wrestling. She started training and wrestled her first match at the age of thirteen. All of this happened because wrestling just runs wild in her family. Channel 4 even made a documentary on her and her family. The WWE audience either knows her as the anti- diva from NXT or the woman who became the WWE divas champion on her debut and looks destined for big things despite a topsy-turvy career thus far.

What most of you may or may not know is that she’s the daughter of wrestling legend from the Underground- Sweet Saraya.

Sweet Saraya’s legend as a wrestler is quite opposite to her name. She’s probably one of the most intimidating names in the wrestling world. She’s scary and intimidating to both men and women and you just don’t want to get on her bad side. She was a victim of rape at the ripe age of 15 and went on to win over 10 titles in various promotions.

She’s also a promoter and owns Bellatrix Female Warriors in Norwich. Paige’s dad Ricky Knight is also a professional wrestler and so are her brothers Roy and Zak Knight.

#9 Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio, even though his exit from the WWE was controversial, is undoubtedly one of the most prominent Mexican wrestlers. Del Rio is a second generation wrestler as his father Dos Caras was a legend in his own right in Mexico. His father's popularity soared during the 70s and 80s and he stood out for his innovative style in wrestling which WWE.com describes as a mixture of Lucha Libre and an American approach.

Del Rio himself began his career as a Luchador and mixed martial artist named Dos Caras Jr. He also inducted his uncle, Mil Mascaras, another legend, into the Hall of Fame.

#8 Goldust

Being controversial may be Goldust’s second name, but his last name is Rhodes, not in character of course. Goldust is the son of the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. If we place Dusty Rhodes and Goldust together, there will be no similarities. These are two starkly opposite characters. The man who made the famous ‘Hard Times’ promo will be standing next to a man who made tight body suits and face paint famous.

But both of them were dedicated to their gimmicks. If Dusty Rhodes is known for contributing into the evolution of sports entertainment then Goldust took sports entertainment to new levels with his highly bizarre gimmick.

#7 Cody Rhodes

If Goldust is on the list, can Cody Rhodes or Stardust, as we know him now, be far behind?

Cody followed into his brother's footsteps, and while not as trailblazing and controversial as him, he still successfully transitioned himself into someone profoundly bizarre. When it comes to comparing Dusty Rhodes and Cody Rhodes, there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn, most probably the lisp comes to mind.

Their wrestling style is also similar and while the youngest Rhodes hasn’t achieved the accomplishments that were and are expected from him and which he also deserves, he’s still a captivating performer. He’s played all his gimmicks perfectly but none have yet gotten him as over as his famous father and brother. Now he’s making a name for himself outside the WWE and we can only hope he returns one day and achieves what he’s destined for in the WWE.

#6 Mr. Perfect

Speaking of perfectly playing a character, none imbibed their gimmick as flamboyantly and stylishly as Mr. Perfect. Little variations of his arrogant gimmick can be seen in present and past wrestlers alike, who came after him. He is regarded as the greatest Intercontinental Champions ever and that feat is yet to be taken over.

His son Curtis Axel is still trying to find his breakthrough moment. Mr. Perfect’s legacy is so great that Axel winning the Intercontinental Championship on Father’s day was that much more special.

Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig’s father Larry ‘The Axe’ Hennig was tag team specialist and together with Harley Race he captured the AWA tag team Championship. THe Axe was himself a cocky, villainous character. Mr. Perfect carried that legacy forward in his two- decade long career and making his mark in the industry indelible.

#5 Ted Dibiase

Ted Dibiase is another legendary wrestler on this list who himself was a second generation wrestler. His father Mike Dibiase is also one of the few wrestlers who actually died during a match, suffering a heart attack. ‘Iron’ Mike Dibiase made his name as a successful wrestler competing for the AWA and NWA but he was nowhere as popular and mainstream as his son ‘The Million Dollar Man’.

Ted Dibiase’s son wasn’t even as over as he was. Dibiase played his gimmick with some villainous vigour as the man too fortunate enough that he’ll trample his opponents and then shove some little change on the side. He was so rich that he made his own championship, naming it the Million Dollar Championship.

#4 Randy Savage

Randy Savage is the son of Angelo Poffo and the brother of ‘The Genius’ Lanny Poffo.

Many of you might have heard these two names in his family while the debate was raging about why Savage wasn’t in the WWE Hall of Fame. Well, many of you might have actually seen Lanny Poffo finally induct his brother into the Hall of Fame.

Randy Savage needs no introduction, actually. He was one of the most prominent stars who made the WWE mainstream and helped make it a pop cultural phenomenon.

His father was a professional wrestler and a promoter and a well- known manager as well. His brother, while not as celebrated as his brother, was a convincing babyface known as leaping Lanny Poffo. He read his own poems and ridiculed his opponents.

He, like his brother and father, thrived in being a heel. He became Genius Lanny Poffo and started convincingly playing the role of an intellectual, arrogant heel.

#3 Charlotte

The reason Charlotte is so high on the list is because of the legacy that she’s following and for being the biggest current second generation star who’s debut is highly anticipated on the main roster.

Charlotte began he WWE journey last year and while being quite green in the ring, she improved and he in ring performance just skyrocketed. In a matter of a few months she became the face to convincingly follow Paige as the face of women’s wrestling in NXT and despite having so many similarities drawn to her father, she still carved a niche for herself, thanks to her strong screen presence.

She’s a gathering storm at the moment.

Her father is one of the most celebrated wrestlers in the world. While controversial off screen, he was a towering presence on- screen.His chutzpah and youthful energy was able to draw a mammoth reaction from the crowd. The chest Chop or the Strut and the ‘Wooooooo’ are iconic and have stood the test of time in the wrestling industry.

Also, one of the best known descriptions of him is that he could wrestle a broom and still eliver a classic match.

#2 Eddie Guerrero

The most adored and fondly remembered wrestlers in the WWE was a second generation wrestler.His father was Gory Guerrero. His entire family- The Guerrero family- is a revered dynasty in Mexico.

During a time when wrestlers were called from outside Mexico to compete in the Lucha Libre format, he was one of the few who was from Mexico and succeeded in the realm. He was named Gory for his reputation of havinh bloddy matches and he’s known for invesnting many moves like the Camel Clutch, the Gory neckbreaker, the Gory bomb among others.

And that esteemed name is followed by another esteemed name called Eddie Guerrero, who went mainstream and ha left an indelible mark in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

The Guerrero family includes names like Chavo Guerrero, Hector and Mando Guerrero.

#1 Bret Hart

The Hart Family is one of the most revered families in the wrestling business. In Canada, they are the real deal. The Hart Foundation has had great technical wrestling written all over it. Stu Hart is a name that began it all. He’s not only the father of Owen and Bret Hart, but he’s also trained Edge, Christian, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit and Mark Henry.

Canada remains, to this day, one of the most hardcore, devoted fanbase for professional wrestling.

Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart is probably the most successful of all second generation wrestlers as he was a main event player, a marquee guy in the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. He’s also been part of controversies. His name will forever be put amongst greats.His niece Natalya, brother in law Jim Neidhart, and through his marriage to Natalya- Tyson Kidd are all the names that have emerged from the esteemed Hart Family dungeon.