Strength in numbers: pro wrestling's greatest stables

Wrestling is primarily a pursuit for individuals, but sometimes you need someone to watch your back. In the always volatile world of Pro Wrestling, nearly anything can take place, and being on your own makes you vulnerable, indeed.

Perhaps that is why so many wrestlers choose to join a faction of like-minded individuals. Called a Stable in the parlance of wrestling, these groups exist to help each other achieve new heights of career success.

From the Horsemen to the Bullet Club, here are ten of the best stables in wrestling history.

#10 The Fabulous Freebirds

The legendary faction from Atlanta, Georgia, were the first wildly popular stable in modern pro wrestling history. Led by the Charismatic Michael PS Hayes, their membership included big man Terry Bam Bam Gordy -- of the Gordbuster -- Buddy Jack Roberts, and, eventually, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin.

Full of southern pride and with a penchant for breaking the rules, the Freebirds were the first three-man tag team to become famous. The "Freebird Rule" still used today -- where any of three members of the faction are considered tag team champions -- was created solely for them.

The Freebirds were so big, they were featured in the Hollywood cult classic Highlander film. They were also the first wrestlers to have their own, custom theme song, sung by frontman Michael Hayes.

Wherever the Freebirds went, title success was sure to follow. Even after the group split, Michael Hayes and Gordy continued to have great success as singles stars. When mentioning the greatest wrestling stables, no list would be complete without the power trio from Badstreet, USA.

Here they are taking on the Road Warriors for the championship.