8 moves that run in the family

8 moves that run in the family

Since being introduced as the newest “Paul Heyman Guy,” Curtis Axel has quickly made a name for himself, scoring impressive victories over the likes of  Triple H and WWE Champion John Cena.

Watch: Family maneuvers playlist

Even though the WWE Universe has only gotten a small taste of all that this young Superstar has to offer, there is little doubt that his  adoption of his WWE Hall of Fame father’s “Perfect Plex” stands as the crown jewel in his arsenal, an extremely useful tool in building the “brand” that is “Curtis Axel.”

Axel is not, however, the only Superstar to use his parent’s finishing maneuver to make a name for himself. See which other competitors have taken a page from their family’s playbooks.

"Super Fly" Jimmy Snuka & Tamina Snuka - The Super Fly Splash

Jimmy Snuka's legendary Superfly Splash

WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka's top rope dive changed the face of sports-entertainment.

One of the most memorable moments in WWE history was when “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka leaped off a steel cage to hit his prized finisher, the Superfly Splash, on Don Muraco at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden. His daughter Tamina Snuka carries on that legacy today, having added the Superfly Splash to her repertoire as well.

Bret "Hit Man" Hart & Natalya - The Sharpshooter

Bret Hart vs. Ric Flair: WWE Championship Match - October 12, 1992

Mr. Perfect tries to distract the referee while Bret Hart has Ric Flair locked in the Sharpshooter during their WWE Championship Match on October 12, 1992.

The Sharpshooter is widely considered among the most devastating submission moves ever. With the iconic hold having been passed down from  WWE Hall of Famer Bret “Hit Man” Hart to his niece Natalya (who also happens to be the daughter of the “Hit Man’s” former tag partner, Jim Neidhart), it is clear that the third-generation Diva is destined to leave a pink-and-black legacy of her own.

Watch "Bret Hart Appreciation Night," courtesy of the WWE App

Rocky Johnson & The Rock - The Dropkick

The Rock performs a picture perfect Rocky Johnson style dropkick: Survivor Series 1996

The Rock pays tribute to his father Rocky Johnson by hitting Jerry Lawler with one of his dropkicks.

Everyone knows The Rock has always been very open about his connection to WWE and how much he treasures his lineage in the squared circle. That said, few may remember that when he first competed in WWE as Rocky Maivia, the future Great One paid homage to his father Rocky Johnson, by using his signature dropkick to get a leg up on the competition.

See a young Rock watch his dad compete

Randy Orton & "Cowboy" Bob Orton Jr. - The Superplex

Sheamus, Randy Orton & Kofi Kingston vs. The Shield: SmackDown, May 24, 2013

Sheamus, Randy Orton, & Kofi Kingston clash with The Shield in the main event of SmackDown.

Nine-time World Champion Randy Orton has unquestionably made one of the biggest impacts that the WWE has ever seen. Although he most often uses the RKO to vanquish the competition, another formidable weapon in The Viper’s tremendous offense is his earth-shattering superplex, which was previously made famous by none other than his father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr.

Watch The Viper drive The Undertaker through the SmackDown set with dad looking on

Rikishi & The Usos - The Running Rump Charge

Rikishi vs. Test: SmackDown, July 11, 2002

Rikishi has to deal with Test and other members of The Un-Americans, Lance Storm and Christian, in this battle on SmackDown where Hulk Hogan and Edge play the roles of equalizers.

To this day, Rikishi’s running rump charge continues to make the WWE Universe cringe. One can only imagine what it must have done to the countless opponents that were forced to endure it. It is no wonder, then, that The Usos have decided to  adapt their father’s move to help them take the tag team division by storm.

Watch The Usos do battle in face paint

Dusty Rhodes, Goldust & Cody Rhodes - The Drop Down Uppercut

Goldust and Cody Rhodes both do the uppercut from the canvas at Royal Rumble 2013

Cody Rhodes hits Dolph Ziggler with Goldust's famous uppercut, then receives one from The Golden One.

The Rhodes family has a long history inside the squared circle, centered on the patriarch, NWA World Champion Dusty Rhodes. Although both Goldust and Cody have created their own unique barrage of offensive maneuvers, the drop uppercut is one favorite that has given both them a strong connection to the original “Son of a Plumber” as well as the upper hand in their matchups.

Prepare yourself as Dusty Rhodes go to war with Ric Flair

"The Million Dollar Man" & Ted DiBiase - The Million Dollar Dream

Virgil vs. Ted DiBiase: WrestleMania 7

With help from a hobbled Roddy Piper in his corner, Virgil shows off some fancy footwork and shocks his former boss, The Million Dollar Man, at WrestleMania 7 on March 24, 1991.

For all his money and influence, when it came down to it, The Million Dollar Man’s true bread and butter was the Million Dollar Dream, which struck fear into the hearts of many of his adversaries. The submission hold was so effective, in fact, that his son, Ted DiBiase, has used a modified version of the move to help turn his WWE dreams into realities. 

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