'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE has been around for several decades at this point, and has transcended generations and wowed millions of fans across the globe on a consistent basis. Over the course of its rich history, WWE has seen a string of in-ring legends and icons who have delivered classics one after the other.
In many cases, these Superstars come from obscurity, being regular folks before making it big in the industry. In other instances, there are 2nd or even 3rd generation Superstars who decided to carry on their parents' legacy in the squared circle. We oftentimes see throwback pictures posted by these Superstars where they can be seen appearing on WWE TV when they were kids. In the following slideshow, we will take a look at 5 WWE Superstars who appeared on WWE/WCW TV when they were kids.
#5 The Rock
It's not a stretch to call The Rock possibly the greatest mic-worker in the history of sports entertainment. He absolutely killed it on the mic back during the late 90s and early 2000s, a skill which ultimately helped him score several blockbuster roles in Hollywood, and the rest is history. The Rock made his WWE debut in the mid-90s, but appeared on WWE TV as a kid way back in the mid-80s, to watch his father wrestle.
The video above shows a young Brahma Bull watching with awe as his dad teams up with Tony Atlas in a Tag Team match. The Rock would make his WWE debut around 12 years later, as a babyface.
Rocky Maivia's failed run as a good guy led to him becoming an on-screen villain, who would berate the WWE Universe for turning on him. It didn't take long for the character of The Rock to become one of the most hated heels on the WWE roster. His promos oozed charisma, and his mannerisms inside the squared circle usually made for a pretty entertaining match. It has been 4 years since The Rock wrestled his last WWE match (a squash against The Wyatt Family's Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32), and is currently one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
#4 Richie Steamboat
Contrary to his father Ricky Steamboat, Richie didn't have much of a career in WWE. He began his training in the late 2000s, and was signed to a contract in 2009 and registered a loss in his debut match against Heath Slater in FCW. He suffered an injury in a match with Kassius Ohno in late 2012, and this was it for him as a wrestler. He was soon let go by WWE and Ricky Steamboat revealed years later that Richie's injury forced him out of pro-wrestling.
Old-school fans of WWE who kept up with the product back in the 80s and 90s might have seen Richie Steamboat make appearances on WWE as well as WCW TV. At WrestleMania 4 at Trump Plaza, Steamboat faced Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in the first round of the WWE title tournament. Unfortunately, Steamboat lost the match and was out of the tournament in the first round itself. Before the match, Ricky was seen carrying a young Richie in his arms, with the kid being dubbed by him as The Little Dragon. When Steamboat went to WCW, fans got to see Richie appear on TV and accompany his father to the ring on a few occasions.
#3 Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair made her way to WWE Monday Night RAW in 2015, along with Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks, thus kicking off the Women's Revolution. It has been five years since her debut and Flair is already listed as one of the all-time greats. Flair has several accolades in his bag, which includes her being a part of the first-ever Women's main event in WWE WrestleMania history. Back when Charlotte was a kid, she used to accompany Ric Flair during shows on rare occasions, in WCW.
Charlotte Flair appearing in WCW as a kid:
At the 00:45 mark in the clip above, you can see Ric Flair celebrating his WCW title victory at Starrcade 1993, in a backstage area with his family. A young Charlotte Flair can be seen standing on the side with the other family members. Additionally, Charlotte made appearances in WCW when she was a teen, and was seen being confronted by Vince Russo when he invaded Flair's home in storyline. Flair would go on to sign a contract with WWE in 2012, and the rest is history.
#2 Dominik
Currently, Dominik is a mainstay on WWE RAW and is involved in a heated angle with Seth Rollins. Around 15 years ago, Dominik made several appearances for WWE when he was inserted into the feud between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. The rivalry saw Eddie uttering those iconic words to Dominik: "I'm your papi!", declaring that he was the real father of the kid. This led to a Ladder match at WWE SummerSlam, with Dominik's custody on the line.
The match saw Eddie's wife Vickie Guerrero interfering in the end and helping Mysterio win the match and the custody of Dominik. The feud came to an end on an episode of SmackDown soon after, when Eddie defeated Rey inside a steel cage.
Rey vs Eddie at Summerlam 2005:
Dominik has been actively appearing on WWE TV for the past several months. He was viciously attacked by Brock Lesnar on an episode of RAW, back in September 2019. Looking at how Dominik is handling himself in his feud with Rollins currently, it seems like he has a bright future ahead of him in WWE.
#1 Cody
Cody is currently one of the most popular wrestlers in the industry. A former WWE Superstar, Cody is now the EVP of All Elite Wrestling, and the late Dusty Rhodes would certainly have been proud of him if he were around today. Years before he made his way to WWE and established himself as a hated heel during his stint with Randy Orton's Legacy, Cody was a little kid who dreamt of becoming a pro-wrestler someday.
Cody used to see his father and brother wrestle in WWE and WCW, and wanted to do the same in the near future. In this clip shared on WWE's official website, fans can watch Dusty Rhodes' Hall of Fame speech at Slamboree. Accompanying him is a very young Cody, who stands in the back as Dusty delivers his speech. Cody would make his WWE main roster debut in 2007, initially feuding with Randy Orton. After a multiple-year stint in WWE, Cody did well for himself in various other promotions, before finally becoming the EVP of AEW. He currently holds the TNT title and is defending it weekly on AEW TV against some of the best workers in AEW and the independent scene.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
