COMMENTARY | Both as tag teams and as individual stars, brothers have worked in professional wrestling since its earliest days. In some cases, brothers have feuded with each other or even kept their relationships secret from unsuspecting fans. But usually, brothers have formed alliances and helped each other out.
Take a closer look at the top 10 pro wrestling brothers in history.
10. (tie) The Poffos
Randy Savage is unquestionably one of the greatest pro wrestlers in history. He reached the height of both the WWE and WCW. His brother, Lanny Poffo, also worked in the WWE from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s as a poet named The Genius.
10. (the) The Wild Samoans
I remember The Wild Samoans wrestling in Mid-South under the tutelage of Ernie Ladd. But brothers Afa and Sika Anao'i achieved their greatest fame in the WWE with Captain Lou Albano. Their WWE Hall of Fame profile indicates The Wild Samoans won over 50 tag team titles.
9. The Guerreros
Chavo, Hector, and Eddie Guerrero have worked in pro wrestling for five decades. Chavo and Hector formed a very successful tag team while Eddie, who was born 25 years after his oldest brother Chavo, was mainly a singles competitor. Eddie died in 2005 at 38 years of age.
8. The Steiners
Rick and Scott Steiner were successful amateur wrestlers at Michigan before joining the world of sports entertainment. The brothers won the NWA and WCW Tag Team Championships numerous times. Scott later adopted a new persona as "Big Poppa Pump."
7. The Vachons
You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pair of old-school heel brothers than the Vachons. "Mad Dog" Maurice and "Butcher" Paul gained most of their infamy wrestling in the AWA. In fact, Mad Dog Vachon held the AWA World Heavyweight title five times.
6. Harlem Heat
Booker T and Stevie Ray Huffman were perhaps the greatest WCW tag team in history. In fact, the brothers won the WCW tag team titles 10 times. Booker T also had an outstanding singles wrestling career winning World Heavyweight Championships in WCW and WWE.
5. The Hardys
Jeff and Matt Hardy have experienced success as both a tag team and as singles competitors. They helped revolutionize tag team wrestling in the WWE in the 2000s. Today, Jeff is working in TNA, while his brother Matt is working in ROH.
4. The Briscos
Jack and Gerald Brisco defined NWA tag team wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition to several NWA Tag Team title reigns, Jack Brisco held the prestigious NWA World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions. His brother Gerald is in the WWE Hall of Fame.
3. The Harts
Bret and Owen Hart took the unusual step of feuding as brothers. However, their feud benefited them and the WWE. Bret became WWE and WCW Champion. Sadly, Dean and Owen's lives ended in their 30s. Smith, Bruce, Keith, Wayne, and Ross are also Hart brothers in the wrestling business.
2. The Von Erichs
Despite the tragedies that the Hart family has endured, the Von Erichs have suffered unimaginable losses. Jack, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris each died prematurely. In addition to Kerry becoming NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Kevin and his brothers are wrestling legends in Texas.
1. The Funks
Terry and Dory Funk were both World Heavyweight Champions. Each held the NWA title and Terry was also ECW Champion. The Funks also wrestled as a very successful tag team. The WWE Hall of Famers are clearly the greatest wrestling brothers in history.
Honorable mention greatest pro wrestling brothers
Ron and Don Harris; Road Warrior Animal, John, and Marcus Laurinaitis; Buzz and Brett Sawyer; Brian, Brad, Scott, and Steve Armstrong; The Usos; Dustin and Cody Rhodes; Jake Roberts and Sam Houston; Mil Mascaras, Dos Caras, and El Sicodelico
Endnote on wrestling brothers
This article ranks real wrestling brothers, not kayfabe (storyline) brothers. As such, "brothers" such as the Andersons, Garvins, Valiants, and The Brothers of Destruction are not ranked here.
