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Pro Wrestling has been around in its modern form for well over a century. With that kind of longevity, there are bound to be wrestlers who pass on their knowledge and legacy to the next generation. Here are a few of the greatest wrestling dynasties.
#1 The Funks
It all started with Dory Funk Sr. The amateur wrestling star broke onto the professional scene once he returned from World War II. Dory's career was short-lived but memorable, as he gained the admiration of the fans throughout the Texas and Central Territories.
It is his time as a promoter which had the most impact, however. The list of stars he created reads who's who of the late sixties/early seventies wrestling scene; Stan Hansen, Harley Race, Gene Kiniski, Tully Blanchard, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Bruiser Brody, and of course, his sons Dory Jr. and Terry.
The Funk Brothers were a successful tag team, winning gold time and time again, but it was Terry who really became the bigger star. Beloved in Japan, Europe, and anywhere there was room to assemble a wrestling ring, Terry Funk is still an active wrestler even in his seventies.
Currently, Terry is the only active wrestler carrying the Funk name, and even he will admit his career has really wound down to only a few appearances. His Funking Conservatory wrestling school, however, lives on and has produced graduates such as Edge, Christian, Rhyno, and Mickey James. Besides, Terry has grandkids... Here is a memorable match between the Funks and the team of Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog.
#2 The Briscos
Many modern day wrestling fans are only familiar with Gerald Brisco due to his heavy involvement in several Attitude Era angles, but the Brisco Brothers were a force in the tag team division from the early seventies until their retirement in 1985. Working primarily in the southern promotions, they feuded with such notables as Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood.
The Briscos are also legendary for another reason; They are the ones who discovered Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea at a Florida gym. Here's a match featuring four of the industry's toughest men.
Perhaps the most obvious legacy of the Briscos is Wes Brisco, the son of Gerald and nephew to Jack. Unfortunately, despite having a good look and decent skills Wes has yet to gain any traction in the Pro Wrestling world. Despite a stint in the ill-fated Aces and Eights stable in TNA, Wes has moved down the ladder to appearing in Paragon Pro.
Note: Jack and Gerald are of no blood relation to ROH mainstays the Briscoes.
#3 Michinoku Pro
Not a family, rather more of a clan, Michinoku Pro revolutionized the wrestling scene when they debuted in the early 1990s. Featuring a style based upon Lucha Libre while retaining strong style's stiff shots, Michinoku was known as a haven for smaller athletes.
Among the notables from Michinoku are Super Delfin, Jinsei Shinzaki, and a name familiar to WWE fans, Taka Michinoku.
Taka and his Kaientai stable were quite visible during the Attitude Era. They would feud with Val Venis, Edge and Christian, and feature in an angle involving the world's most famous penisectomy patient, John Wayne Bobbitt.
Here we watch the two most famous Alumni do battle.
#4 The Von Erichs
Tearing up the Texas and southern territories in the seventies and eighties were the Von Erich family. Trained by their father Fritz, a legendary wrestler and promoter, the Von Erichs combined size, power, and speed along with natural charisma to sell out venues in half the United States and all over the world.
Perhaps the most successful of the group was Kerry von Erich. Kerry won the NWA world championship from no less than Ric Flair and is the only member of his family to make it to the grandest stage of all, Wrestlemania.
Unfortunately, the Von Erichs aren't only known for their wrestling acumen. They are also one of the most tragic families in the business. Most of Fritz's sons, including Kerry, took their own lives.
The most recent member of the Von Erich clan to wrestle is Lacey von Erich, Kerry's daughter. Despite showing some promise, her career appears to be over and she is focusing her energy on other goals now. Still, the von Erichs dynasty will be remembered by a whole generation who applied Iron Claws to their siblings and friends in the backyard.
#5 The Flair Dynasty
Perhaps the greatest wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots, it was only natural that Ric Flair's name would open doors for his children.
David Flair, his oldest son, actually had a fairly memorable run on WCW, teaming with Crowbar and kayfabe girlfriend Daffney.
Unfortunately, David never rose to the same heights as his father. He did hold the US title if in a rather dubious fashion, having beaten no one for the belt. David and Crowbar were crowned WCW tag team champions but their success was short-lived. These days David is no longer an active wrestler.
Ric's other son, Reid, showed a lot of promise. He wrestled his first match at ten years old! Sadly, he lost a battle with addiction and is no longer with us.
Ric's only child who still actively wrestles is Charlotte, who may be the most skilled competitor of the whole clan.
The name "Flair" carries a ton of weight in wrestling circles, and Ric is often called--rightfully so--the G.O.A.T. of professional wrestling. While his sons failed to make a major impact, his daughter has spearheaded the "women's revolution" going on in the WWE and looks to be continuing in her father's footsteps. And let's not forget that any time a wrestler uses a 'chop,' the whole crowd chants "wooo!" Regardless of the federation, they are watching. Here's a look at what many wrestling scholars consider the greatest feud of all time, Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat.
#6 The Blackjacks
It seems that the world of pro wrestling never tires of seeing big, burly Texans work over their opponents, and the tradition started with the Blackjacks. Mulligan and Lanza were big, bruising entities that worked primarily on the heel side of the roster, though they occasionally flipped to babyface.
Though they did not invent the move, the Blackjacks are credited with popularizing the Lariat, a clothesline variation where the attacker follows his victim to the mat.
Blackjack Mulligan would father two sons, both of whom went into the wrestling business; Kendall and Hall of Fame brother Barry Windham.
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Blackjack Lanza's nephew, Justin "hawk" Bradshaw (now known as JBL) followed him into the business. In fact, he and Barry Windham even wrestled as "The New Blackjacks" for a brief period.
Having a son in the Hall of Fame is certainly a legacy worth crowing about. The Blackjacks weren't truly innovators in the ring, but what they did they did well. Their sons were more skilled, with JBL even capturing the WWE's 'big belt' and having a memorable, if polarizing, run. Here's a look at some of the "Classic" Blackjack's ring work.
It should also be noted that Blackjack Mulligan is the maternal grandfather of two popular WWE stars today: Bray Wyatt & Bo Dallas
#7 The Ortons
The Orton dynasty started with Bob Orton Sr., a legendary performer in the NWA and southern territories. Bob is credited with inventing the Pedigree, a finisher favoured by Triple H and Seth Rollins, and was known for being light on his feet in spite of being a big man.
Bob's two sons, Barry and Robert Jr., also entered the business. While Barry met with some success, it was the son who bore his name and truly surpassed Bob Sr. Cowboy Bob Orton made it to the biggest stage of all, Wrestlemania, where he would team with Rowdy Roddy Piper to take on Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
Then of course, there's Bob Sr.'s grandson, Randy Orton. The "Apex Predator" and highly touted third generation wrestler has been, without a doubt, the most successful of the clan so far.
The Ortons have managed to avoid the tragedies of the Von Erichs, and managed to remain relevant to the day. Randy Orton is the current standard bearer, and he does so brilliantly and has multiple 'big belt' reigns on his grocery list of accomplishments. Here's a rare look at a time when Randy actually teamed up with his father against another legend.
#8 Anoa?i Family
With a lineage that stretches back to "High Chief" Peter Maivia, the Anoa'i family owns one of the pro wrestling world's most successful and prestigious lineages.
By virtue of marriage, adoption, or genetic ties, the Anoa'i clan claims some of the biggest names in wrestling history. Afa and Sika, the Wild Samoans, were a major force on the tag team scene in the 1980s. Peter's daughter married Canadian pro grappler Rocky Johnson, who is credited for being the first black co-holder of a major tag team championship.
And the list goes on. Rikishi Fatu is a very visible member of the clan. Late superstars Umaga and Yokozuna are also in the Anoa'i family, as are current WWE roster members Jimmy and Jay Uso, and by virtue of marriage, Naomi. Of course, Shield member Roman Reigns carries on the Anoa'i legacy in a high place on the card, and Nia Jax is making her mark on the women's roster.
The most famous member of the clan, however, is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Besides being a multiple time world champion, The Rock is arguably the biggest movie star in the world today. Here's a look at three members of the clan standing side by side.
#9 The Hart Dynasty
If any wrestling fan worth his or her salt is asked the question, 'what's the toughest training camp in the world?', they will likely answer 'The Hart Dungeon''. Under legendary Canadian grappler Stu Hart -- who was known for 'shooting' or 'stretching' wrestlers he didn't like, the graduates of the world famous dungeon are almost guaranteed to be a success anywhere they wrestle.
Stu's son Bret is the most famous member of the Hart Dynasty, but no less than five wrestling legends who hail from the Dungeon; British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, Jim Neidhart, Owen Hart, Superstar Billy Graham, and Greg 'the Hammer' Valentine.
Current members of the clan still actively wrestling include David Hart Smith, the son of British Bulldog, and Natalya Neidhart, daughter of the Anvil and granddaughter of Stu.
While Jim, the Anvil has retired, and Owen and the Bulldog are no longer with us, the Hart dynasty is flourishing. Natalya has come through terrible 'farting' gimmicks and poor usage to become a no-questions-asked female main eventer and champion. David Hart Smith has enjoyed great success in Japan, where he has teamed with Lance Archer to form the Killer Elite Squad.
As both of them are still young, they will likely have even greater success in the future. Here's a look at some classic Hart Foundation action, as they take on the much larger Powers of Pain.
regardless of the popular opinion of the individuals involved, no one can deny the legacy of Wrestling's Greatest Dynasties and these legends made sure that their names remain immortal in this industry.
