Last February, I wrote this about then-NXT star Bron Breakker:
But based on what we have seen so far, without a serious repackaging of Breakker’s character, I find it hard to imagine he will have any serious success on the main roster. And if things remain unchained, the five-year run of NXT champions who haven’t made it on the main roster will likely continue.
Breakker's character on NXT has not been compelling. Without some changes, he will likely be the latest NXT Champ to fail at the next level.
I think it’s safe to say that I was wrong in my assessment since Breakker’s callup to the main roster.
Since his call-up to the main roster, Breakker has stepped up every aspect of his game. His ringwork was always good, but his in-ring storytelling has improved dramatically.
But I think the biggest improvement for Breakker has been on the mic and his ability to be a compelling character outside of the ring.
Take for example his in-ring tete-a-tete with Jey Uso last night.
Breakker’s points here were quick, concise, and moved the story along in a logical flow to continue to build up Jey Uso as a credible contender when the two square off in an Intercontinental Title match.
Breakker has also been booked in a way that makes him look good as well. Putting him in matches with a guy like Ilja Dragunov, and in feuds with guys like Sami Zayn and Jey Uso elevates Breakker and allows him to highlight his strengths and versatility as an in-ring performer.
A lot of my concerns for Breakker was related to the past performance of former NXT Champions on the main roster. Guys like Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and Andrade never did much on the main roster with more experience and in-ring storytelling ability than Breakker had displayed. What I had not counted on, in my prediction, was the WWE merger with TKO and Vince McMahon leaving the company for good. Paul Levesque has done a much better job of booking Breakker (and other recent NXT Champs like Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes) on the main roster than McMahon ever allowed during his presence in booking.
It will be interesting to see how Breakker fares as he moves up the card into an eventual world title program in the next year. I hope he continues to prove my earlier assessment wrong.