Second and Third Generation Wrestlers: Future Of Wrestling Or Bringing It Down?

For as long as I have been watching wrestling I have heard talk about legacies and what generation a wrestler is.  I know that lineage is important, but is it enough to push an athlete to the top?

Currently, the WWE is overrun by wrestling families. Here are some of the best known wrestlers currently signed who are from wrestling families:

Cody Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, Jr., Manu (Afa, Jr.), Umaga, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero, Deuce, Carlito, Primo Colon, DH Smith, and Natalya, just to name a few.

Some of these wrestlers have already proven they have what it takes to be on top, but some of them are still green and have yet to develop any real fan relationship. 

Rhodes and Dibiase: Two young, talented second geners who have the skills to last in the WWE for years, but do they have the charisma? Cody has mediocre mic skills at best and Dibiase is not much better.  I know charisma is something that can take time, but growing up around the biz, you'd think these guys would be better on the stick.

Manu has lots of promise.  The Samoan heritage is well known in his family and his ability in the ring shows that he paid attention growing up.  He hasn't had much time to talk yet but with his look and ability he may not need to talk; just look at his cousin Umaga.  Umaga has never spoken a word of English, yet he has been in world title matches already in his short career. 

I know he has taken some losses lately and has not been seen on TV for awhile, but once he's back I can't see it being too long before he has some gold around his tatooed waist.

Randy Orton is a third-gen wrestler who has been on top of his game since he first showed up in WWE.  His title history and his mic skills are enough for me to say that Randy is good for the WWE.

Rey and Chavo are both established talent who need no explanation.

DH Smith and Deuce are two second geners who have not yet won me over.  Deuce is a former tag champ but without a partner his fifties gimmick is lame. DH is almost too much of a babyface when you see him to even like him.  Both could be better off wrestling in the minors for a few years to build up charisma and mic skills.

The last wrestlers I will address are the Colon brothers Carlito and Primo.  Both are exciting wrestlers who have a lot to offer.  Their bickering brother gimmick is kind of funny and their tag team matches are exciting to watch.  I think Carlito has more potential as a champion in the future, but Primo could use the time to get better on the mat.

So looking forward it would appear that the second- and third-generation wrestlers may be mostly a good thing but it is clear that genes aren't everything in the biz.