Depending on whom you ask, pro wrestling can be extremely lucrative or a job where you live paycheck to paycheck. It all depends on which promotion you work at and what’s your status on the card. The John Cenas and Randy Ortons of this world make a lot of money for their troubles.
But, what about pro wrestlers in their youth? How many of today’s stars were part of a family struggling to make ends meet and how many were accustomed to the finer things in life well before they became successful WWE Superstars? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out.
Well, the latter part of it, at least. There are a number of Superstars whose lived great lives right from the time they were born. So, without further ado, here are 5 WWE Superstars who were born rich:
#5 Bret Hart
Bret Hart is one of the most recognisable names in the world of pro wrestling and a bonafide legend. To be fair, nothing less was expected of him considering that he was the golden boy of the legendary Hart family.
Back in the territory days of wrestling, The Hitman's father, Stu Hart, ran a wrestling promotion called Stampede Wrestling which made quite the name for itself in Canada. It was one of the more successful wrestling promotions and would remain so until Vince McMahon's took the then-WWF national.
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Stu Hart also ran an extremely successful wrestling school known as The Hart Dungeon which has trained some of the biggest names in wrestling. It's easy to see how Stu Hart was able to easily afford to support the monetary requirements of the massive Hart family.
While Stampede Wrestling did struggle in Bret's latter teenage years, he was born into wrestling royalty and lacked for absolutely nothing growing up. With his Hall of Fame career behind him, Bret Hart has ensured that his family never has to suffer for money either.
#4 Kane
Kane has made a mark in pro wrestling that few Superstars will ever be able to match in terms of sheer impact.
Making his debut as The Undertaker’s younger brother, he has been rampaging through the WWE for two decades and still hasn’t stopped. He is one of the most successful Superstars to ever step foot inside the WWE.
Leaving aside kayfabe for a moment, let’s take a look at the early life of the man who would come to be known as Kane – Glen Jacobs. Kane was actually born in Madrid, Spain where his father had been stationed. I say stationed because Kane comes from a high ranking US Airforce family.
His parents would soon return to the United States following the birth of young Kane and he would never lack for anything in his formative years. He would receive a great education which included a college degree paid for by his parents.
With his successful run in the WWE, coupled with his financial stable upbringing, Kane has never struggled for money throughout his life.
#3 Randy Orton
Randy Orton is the second most successful WWE Superstar of his generation. Second only to John Cena, Orton has built a Hall of Fame worthy career and he still has at least a decade left in his storied career. Randy Orton is one of the most recognisable names in the wrestling industry.
It wasn’t always the case, though, as in his earlier years with the WWE, Randy was hyped up through the fame that his father had achieved. Randy’s father is, of course, “Cowboy” Bob Orton who made a name for himself as one of the great heels of the early WWF era.
A top notch superstar, Bob Orton’s great wrestling skills ensured that he was able to provide a truly fantastic childhood for his children including Randy. It might perhaps go a long way in explaining why Randy was such a spoilt brat through his early days in the WWE.
With his maturity and accomplishments, Randy Orton has surpassed his father in both fame and fortune.
#2 John Cena
Speaking of Randy Orton’s nemesis, the penultimate name on our list is The Face that Runs the Place, John Cena. One of the reasons Big Match John is such a huge wrestling fan and his whole reason for wanting to be a wrestler comes from his father who is a massive fan of the industry.
Papa Cena’s love for the industry runs so deep that he actually ended up buying a promotion in 2007 called Millenium Wrestling Federation in order to book some old timers who he enjoyed watching in the golden era of wrestling.
John has never lacked for anything in his life and it is very little surprise that he had a great childhood considering his dad was able to afford his own wrestling promotion. Cena has gone to become one of the greatest of all-time in wrestling having recently tied Ric Flair’s record of 16 World Titles.
#1 David Otunga
Right, didn’t expect this one, did you? The one Superstar to have been born into incredible wealth is everyone’s least favourite WWE commentator and everyone’s least favourite Nexus member, David Otunga.
Otunga’s parents are so rich that they were able to pay for his tuition when he went to Harvard Law School. What more can I say about this? Despite the mediocre level of success that Otunga has achieved in the world of wrestling, nothing will match what his parents were able to do for him.
But, on the other hand, he did marry Jennifer Hudson so he must be doing something right, I guess.
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