Archive — Lineage

The Unbroken Chain

From Val Childs outward — the documented lineage of North American catch-as-catch-can wrestling, traced through students, champions, and the men who kept the tradition alive. Select any figure to view their connections.

Root Figure

First Generation

Second Generation

Select any figure to view their lineage connections and notes.

Select any figure in the lineage tree to view their connections, era, and archive notes.

Archive Summary

Root Figure1

First Generation3

Second Generation6

Complete Index

Antonio Inoki

1960s–1990s

Second Generation

Billy Robinson

1950s–1990s

First Generation

Gene Kiniski

1950s–1980s

Second Generation

Harley Race

1960s–1990s

Second Generation

Josh Barnett

1990s–present

Second Generation

Karl Gotch

1950s–1980s

First Generation

Kazushi Sakuraba

1990s–2010s

Second Generation

Lou Thesz

1940s–1990s

First Generation

Satoru Sayama

1970s–1990s

Second Generation

Val Childs

c. 1940s–1970s

Root Figure