12 Greatest Wrestling Dynasties Of All Time
It's a family business.
Professional wrestling has always been a family business. Sons and daughters have followed their parents into the industry for decades, and some of the greatest wrestlers of all-time have come from their family's second or third generation in the sport.
The likes of Bret Hart, Terry Funk, and Randy Orton all profited from their family's pedigree and name value before eventually finding their own way, and while coming from a decorated wrestling dynasty can burden a young hopeful with unfair expectations, it can also act as a springboard to long-term success.
The sport is built on the names of its greatest families, and though a famous bloodline doesn't guarantee prosperity, it certainly helps. Decades of trans-generational success mean certain surnames will always be associated with wrestling excellence, and some of the sport's famous families have legitimately changed the face of the business.
The dynasties on our list are here because each generation sought to further their forebearers' legacies, and achieved their own level of success along the way. There are literally dozens of examples to choose from however, so with all due respect to the DiBiases and Vachons, they'll have to sit as honourable mentions for now...
12. Colón
Puerto Rico’s Colón family have had a strong presence in wrestling since 1966, when Carlos, their patriarch, made his in-ring debut. Though he competed for various American companies through his career, Carlos is best known for his work in his homeland, where his World Wrestling Council promotion have been instrumental in the sport’s development. A 2014 WWE Hall Of Famer, he held WWC’s World Championship 26 times, and has an unrecognised NWA Heavyweight Title victory over Ric Flair to his name.
His son, Carlos Jr., came through the WWC system in 1999, and signed for WWE four years later. Debuting as Carlito Caribbean Cool, he was a popular midcarder at the height of his powers, scoring United States, Intercontinental, and two Tag Team Title reigns prior to his 2010 departure. Today, Carlito can usually be found gracing independent rings around the world, and still competes in WWC from time to time.
The Colón family name is still represented in WWE today, with cousins Primo and Epico currently active on the SmackDown team roster. They’ve experienced a number of gimmick changes throughout their careers, but have recently shed their Shining Stars moniker in favour of 'The Colóns,' directly tying them to their storied legacy.