The entire Steiner clan, particularly Rick and his brother Scott Steiner, are living vicariously through the new NXT champion.
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Bron Breakker cemented the era of NXT 2.0 by defeating two-time champion Tomasso Ciampa in the main event of NXT: New Year’s Evil. Breakker was in fantastic company that evening as his father, accomplished wrestling veteran Rick Steiner, sat front row to witness his coronation.
Steiner celebrated in-ring with his son after NXT went off the air, which was an achievement he will always cherish.
“It was a surreal moment. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life,” Breakker told CBS Sports. “It was just unbelievable. It still hasn’t set in yet, it only happened 12 hours ago. That was really cool. My dad, it was the first time he’s ever seen me work and he sat front row. It was cool. It was a moment. That’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
Rick Steiner’s reaction after Bron Breakker won the #WWENXT Championship! pic.twitter.com/ixwyOBirh3
— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) January 5, 2022
The entire Steiner clan, particularly Rick and his brother Scott Steiner, are living vicariously through the new NXT champion.
“It’s crazy, man. They’re proud of me,” Breakker said. “You know what I mean? They’re happy for me. They’re kind of living through me in a way, a little bit. They’re very involved. Talking to me, giving me tips, help, whatever the case is. It’s cool, man. I could see it makes them happy. It’s a really cool thing.”
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Breakker entered NXT: New Year’s Evil wearing a traditional black singlet, a more subdued look than his often colorful or leopard print attire. The former NFL player revealed the black singlet was a nod to his father. Rick wore the same shade when he beat Mike Rotunda for the WCW TV title at Starrcade 1998, and again when capturing the WCW U.S. title from Shane Douglas on an episode of WCW Nitro in February 2001.
“He wore black on that night. His singlet was obviously different. His was probably cooler, to be honest with you. It was just kind of a tribute to that,” Breakker said. “Just change it up a little bit and keep people on their toes. Keep people invested in what I’m doing. I want to entertain as much as I can. My wardrobe, what I’m wearing and stuff are a part of that.”
Breakker made his way to the ring by kicking the old black-and-gold NXT logo, splitting it in half. It symbolized a changing of the guard to NXT 2.0; however, the 24-year-old rejected the idea that his win over Ciampa was the nail in the coffin for NXT’s veterans.
“I don’t think it’s a nail in the coffin or anything like that. We’re just shifting from black and gold to 2.0,” Breakker said. “Tomasso is going to be around. I’m sure that he and I will cross paths again. That will happen at some point in time whether it’s now or later. It’s going to happen again. I’m looking forward to it. It’s just a shift. Those guys are going to be here. I’m fully aware that they’re here. It ain’t going anywhere.”
Looking on the horizon, Breakker expects a main-event level, face of the company sort of reign as NXT champion.
“I want to be for the people,” Breakker said. “I want to be a fighting champion. I want to make the WWE Universe proud. I want to be electrifying and fun to watch. I want people to be on the edge of their seat when I come out because they love me and they can’t wait to see what I’m going to do next. I just want to be an honorable champion and representation of this company and show what we’re all about here at NXT. That’s it.”
