10 Second-Generation Wrestlers Who Never Made It

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, WWE was more of a regional promotion than a national one. From its New York homebase, the company dominated the northeastern U.S. and ran tons of shows in Madison Square Garden. During that time, there was no more important star in the promotion than Bruno Sammartino, who held the WWE World Championship for a combined 11 years and sold out countless shows at MSG.

With those accomplishments in WWE, it seemed like Bruno's son, David, would have had a relatively easy path into the company - but it wasn't so. Bruno discouraged David from wrestling and refused to train him, but the younger Sammartino started a career in the sport anyway. He soon ended up in WWE and even had a match at the first WrestleMania, but it was clear that he didn't have the skill or charisma of his father. Bruno came out of retirement to tag with his son in the hopes of advancing his career, but it didn't work. David hated his time in WWE and soon left.

David continued to wrestle on and off - competing as recently as 2010 - but he never amounted to more than a footnote in his father's career. The relationship between the two was sadly strained and, according to reports, their issues have yet to be resolved.