A Tribal Bloodline; A Hart Breaking Legacy - 5 of the greatest WWE families of all time
Illustrious families have become synonymous with not only WWE, but pro-wrestling as a whole. The list of well-known wrestling families who have competed in a wrestling ring can be a mile long, but for today, we are here to discuss some of the very best.
When you look at a wrestling family, you look at the generation that started it all, a generation that continued the family legacy, and a generation that will continue the legacy well into the 21st century.
Today, we look at five of the greatest WWE families of all time.
#5. The Legendary Guerrero Family
The Guerreros have been around the wrestling business since the 1950s. The family dates back to the great Gory Guerrero, who was a despised and hated villain in Mexico who was so evil and diabolical that wrestling fans attempted to stab him in the streets. His children were Mando, Hector, and Chavo Guerrero Sr.
The trio of brothers dominated the wrestling scene throughout Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s. However, it was Gory’s youngest son, Eddie Guerrero, who took the wrestling world by storm and made the biggest impact in the industry.
He became a standout star in ECW, WCW, and WWE, respectively. His biggest achievement came at the 2004 WWE No Way Out event, as he defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship.
Eddie would sadly pass away in 2005. The Guerrero legacy would continue through his wife, Vickie Guerrero, and his nephew, Chavo Jr.
#4. A Hart Breaking Legacy
#OnThisDayinWWE 25 years ago at In Your House: Canadian Stampede:
All of the Hart family celebrate in the ring after the Hart Foundation's victory in the ten man tag main event 💕
Try to spot a young @NatbyNature, @TJWilson and @DBSmithjr! https://t.co/VU370nMpFh
The esteemed Hart Family legacy was founded in 1948 with Calgary Stampede Wrestling by the legendary Stu Hart. Stu had seven sons: Smith, Bruce, Ross, Dean, Keith, Bret, and Owen.
Each of the Hart boys wrestled for their father at Calgary Stampede Wrestling. While each of the sons would be successful, it was Bret who would be the standout star, and later the youngest of the Hart clan: Owen.
Bret would move on to form The Hart Foundation alongside his brother-in-law, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. Beyond the tag team, Bret would breakout as a singles star in the 90s feuding with the likes of Shawn Michaels, Diesel, Razor Ramon, and The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, who would become Bret’s brother-in-law by marriage to Bret’s sister, Diana Hart.
The Hart Foundation was reformed in 1997 featuring Bret, Owen, Davey Boy, Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman. This was sadly the beginning of the end for the Hart Foundation, as tragedy befell the group as each member of the group would sadly pass away as the years went by, sans Bret Hart.
The Hitman would retire from the business in 2000 due to a concussion, and later suffered a stroke in 2002.
The legacy of the Hart family continues today through Natalya, the daughter of Jim Neidhart, and David Hart Smith, the son of Davey Boy Smith.
#3. The Anoa'i Family Legacy Carries On Through The Bloodline
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Acknowledge the most dominant faction in wrestling today☝🏻
#WWE #RomanReigns #Bloodline #Usos
@WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle @WWEUsos @SamiZayn @WWESoloSikoa https://t.co/m5oNOY0wXZ
The infamous Anoa’I family is a legacy that began with The Wild Samoans and High Chief Peter Maivia. Beyond their legacy, Rocky Johnson carried the torch from the 1960s through the early 1980s.
The Headshrinkers (Samu & Fatu) would be an extension of The Wild Samoans that dominated the tag team scene in the 80s and 90s.
Heading into the 90s, it would be the son of Rocky Johnson that would take the Anoa’i family to another level. Rocky Maivia, who later became The Rock, became one of the biggest WWE Superstars of all time.
Aside from The Rock, we there were multiple other descendants of the Anoa’I family that would compete in the company including Umaga, Rosey, and Yokozuna.
In recent years, the latest incarnation of the Anoa’i clan included Nia Jax, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, The Usos, and the leader of The Bloodline and current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
With The Tribal Chief and The Bloodline currently dominating WWE television, it looks like the Anoa’i family’s legacy will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
#2. The American Dream Lives On
The Rhodes family legacy began with the legendary WWE Hall of Famer, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes’ legacy spans nearly four decades, with his title reigns in the NWA as World Heavyweight Champion and United States Champion being some of his most notable achievements.
The American Dream had two sons: Dustin and Cody Rhodes. Dustin would have a solid career in WCW and WWE, competing as the strange, captivating and sometimes mysterious Goldust.
Cody would go on to have a solid run initially in the company as Intercontinental Champion for over 200 days. However, he departed the organization before helping found AEW in 2019, before making his way back to WWE this past April.
Safe to say, the legacy of the Rhodes family name rests firmly in the hands of The American Nightmare, who is looking to honor and carry out his father’s legacy by carving his own.
#1. WWE's Legacy lies within' The McMahon Family
The McMahon family is synonymous with pro wrestling and/or Sports Entertainment. It began with Jess McMahon, who began promoting wrestling matches in New York until the mid-1950s.
HIs son, Vince McMahon Sr., would pick up where Jess left off and become one of the most respected promoters in the industry. He had tremendous success in running the WWWF.
Vince McMahon Sr. would lay the foundation, as his son Vince McMahon Jr. would take the business from his father and expand it into the multimedia global juggernaut that we know today as WWE.
With the creation of WrestleMania, led by “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, WWE grew into one of the top wrestling organizations in the world.
Vince’s children, Shane and Stephanie McMahon, were essential in the development of WWE behind the scenes through the creative and corporate side of the organization.
Stephanie married Triple H in 2003, as The King of Kings would become a major player for the McMahon family in the legacy of the company, both inside and outside the ring.
Vince McMahon retired from running the day-to-day operations in the company in July 2022. Stephanie took over as Co-CEO and Chairwoman, while Triple H was promoted to Chief Content Officer and Head of Creative.
Thanks to Triple H, Stephanie, and their three daughters that will undoubtedly be a part of the industry at some point, it’s safe to say that WWE is in great hands for many generations to come.