Welcome back to our two-part look at a list of the top ten brothers in pro wrestling history. For those who missed part one, you can check it out by clicking here.
We’ll skip a bunch of introductory nonsense today and we’ll jump right back into the list. Let’s take a look at who made the top five …
5. Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, David Von Erich, Chris Von Erich & Mike Von Erich
When you talk about brothers in pro wrestling, you can’t create a list without including the Von Erich’s. In their day, the Von Erich brothers were about as popular as pro wrestlers could be on a regional level. The three standouts, Kerry, Kevin and David, also achieved great success outside of their fathers World Class Championship Wrestling promotion, with Kerry actually becoming a NWA World Heavyweight Champion and a WWE Intercontinental Champion.
Unfortunately for the Von Erich family, they will almost surely be remembered most for the many tragedies within the family. The only surviving member of the family, Kevin Von Erich, inducing the entire family into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2009. The rest of the family either died under unfortunate circumstances, or by committing suicide.
4. Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy
When you think of the best tag-teams in pro wrestling history, you absolutely must include The Hardy Boys on your list. After working as jobbers in WWE for many years, Matt and Jeff finally received their big chance when they were paired with Michael Hayes and given a shot at success. From then on, things only got bigger and better for one of the best brother combinations in the Attitude Era, who in many ways were among the guys responsible for giving WWE that “attitude.”
Outside of being multiple-time WWE Tag-Team Champions, and guys who with their famous TLC and ladder matches, helped revolutionize the in-ring style of performance in WWE specifically, each guy had a solid amount of success as individuals.
Jeff Hardy is a former WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, and has even had multiple reigns as the TNA World Champion. He has an indescribable charisma, one that has established him as one of the most popular wrestlers of his generation.
Matt Hardy never quite achieved the success that his younger brother did, but certainly had his share of accomplishments as an individual as well.
3. Bret Hart & Owen Hart
Although there were several other members of the Hart brother clan, the two who achieved the most success in the United States of America, as well as international name recognition would have to be Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Owen Hart. Both were standouts in WWE during their prime, with each having a large amount of success during the runs with the company.
Bret Hart is a former multiple time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and for a multi-year stretch was the face of the company. In many ways, Bret was the successor of Hulk Hogan and was one of the main guys responsible for changing the dynamic of WWE from super-sized character type personas on top, to middle-sized legitimate in-ring performers getting the top spots.
Owen Hart, much like his brother Bret, was considered one of the best technical in-ring workers of his time. He was among the first guys to do a lot of high-flying offense in WWE and had a great overall run with the company, holding nearly every championship outside of the World Heavyweight Title. While Owen’s career was cut short due to an awful tragedy that took his life, he will always be remembered as one of the greats of his era.
Bret Hart is a member of the WWE Hall Of Fame, and one of the only reasons Owen Hart has yet to be inducted is because of a lawsuit that took place as a result of his tragic passing.
2. Jack Brisco & Gerald Brisco
As a duo, Jack and Jerry Brisco held the NWA World Tag-Team Championship on several occasions. As an individual, Jack Brisco is a former two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and is considered to be among the very best legitimate athletes of his time.
Gerald Brisco is a guy who had considerable success during his in-ring days, but is probably best remembered by fans of the modern generation as one of the key executives in WWE. To this day, Jerry scouts talent from the amateur wrestling ranks for WWE, and has brought in a number of top athletes, most notably Brock Lesnar. Unfortunately for Jerry, as far as his on-camera persona is concerned, to fans who grew up watching pro wrestling in the late 1990s or later, he will likely be best remembered as one of Vince McMahon’s “stooges,” alongside his buddy Pat Patterson.
Both Jack and Gerald Brisco are also members of the WWE Hall Of Fame.
1. Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.
Two former NWA World Heavyweight Champions. What else needs to be said? You won’t be able to look through the rich history of pro wrestling and find another brother combo that both held what was at the time the most coveted prize in the profession.
Terry Funk as an individual probably has a more recognizable name by today’s standards, and probably rightfully so. He was the more flashy of the two and one that had so many different spins on his character throughout the years. He helped pioneer the hardcore style of wrestling that is still used throughout the industry today. He helped get the original ECW off the ground. There is a lot that can be said about Terry Funk, but the one word that best describes him, without question, would be “legend.” Pure and simple.
Dory Funk Jr., on the other hand, is no slouch himself. Dory held the NWA Championship for over four years, which to this day is the fifth longest reign in the history of that title. He is also credited with training some of the biggest Superstars of the modern era, including Kurt Angle, Edge, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy and Lita.
Both Terry Funk and Dory Funk Jr. are also members of the WWE Hall Of Fame.
So there you have it. What do you guys think of my list and how would your list look? Leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below. Also, add me as a friend on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or follow me on Twitter at @MBoone420.
