After his loss of the Intercontinental Championship to Jey Uso, Bron Breakker emerged on Monday Night RAW to offer Uso his congratulations, his respect, and the acknowledgment that the better man won. There was no twist in this segment, and none for the rest of the night for that matter, as it seemed Bron Breakker had learned from his past mistakes and turned babyface. He even teased challenging Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. However, one week later, Breakker attacked Uso and The New Day, firmly cementing himself back in the role of a heel, swerving fans. This was the wrong decision, and there are several reasons as to why WWE have made a mistake in doubling down on him being a bad guy.
The WWE Universe Was Ready To Embrace Bron Breakker As A Babyface
It Is A Risk For WWE To Not Pull The Trigger On Bron Breakker
Over the last few months, Bron Breakker has impressed fans with his explosivity, his badass nature, and his effortless aura that he carries with him. His promo work has been good, his matches have been getting better, and his catchphrases have been getting over. Arenas have been barking whenever he calls to the dogs in each town, and the fact that this is getting over despite him being a heel shows that fans are very much ready to embrace him as a good guy. Before his character was assassinated in NXT, he had a good run as a badass, dominant force on the developmental brand as a babyface – this is something that can be replicated on the main roster.
Drew McIntyre was bloodied and beaten by CM Punk in their Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood.
However, with WWE deciding to keep him as a heel, it is a case of the creative team turning their back on the desires and wishes of fans. In the past, WWE did this with plenty of wrestlers, ruining the star potential of the likes of Rusev, Damian Sandow, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, and more, despite them being insanely over at certain points in time. Ultimately, none of these names reached their potential in WWE, and if WWE isn’t careful, they could go down the same route with Breakker, especially if the love he receives from fans is continuously ignored. Triple H has done well to remain in the good books of many fans with his booking, but this is something that could anger people.
Bron Breakker Could’ve Had A Main Event Push As A Babyface
WWE Teased A Feud Between Bron Breakker & Gunther
On the night when WWE teased Breakker becoming a good guy, he approached World Heavyweight Champion Gunther and stated that he might very well be targeting him next. This was a salivating prospect, with two powerhouse brutes going at it over the World Heavyweight Championship being something that fans certainly wanted to see. With Breakker playing the babyface, he could have drummed up a lot of support as he sought to take down the unstoppable Gunther, and he would have been a realistic challenger.
The Rock returned at Bad Blood to staredown Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, setting up what could be a huge but unneeded WrestleMania moment.
Gunther is someone who elevates all of his opponents, and he would likely wrestle one of Breakker’s best matches. However, with Breakker going back to the bad guy side of the fence, it means that this teased matchup won’t be happening any time soon. WWE doesn’t often do heel vs. heel feuds, let alone for a world title. Even in defeat, being pushed up to the main event scene, if only briefly, could have done wonders for Breakker’s legitimacy and star power. WWE has missed this opportunity now though.
WWE Is Going Round In Circles With Bron Breakker’s Booking On Raw
Bron Breakker Has Had The Same Storyline Twice In A Row
When Bron Breakker stepped up to face Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship, they expected a dominant win. However, Zayn defeated the overconfident youngster at Money in the Bank, leading to Breakker becoming more unpredictable and dangerous, and putting him on the road to redemption at SummerSlam when he became Intercontinental Champion. Fans then expected a long and dominant reign, only for it to be stopped by Jey Uso, who once again capitalized on Breakker’s inexperience. Once again, WWE is running a story of Breakker now becoming more dangerous after a defeat.
Since he turned on Damian Priest, Finn Balor has struggled to maintain any momentum. This was proven at Bad Blood.
Repeating this storyline feels lazy. Breakker accepting his defeat and using that to drum up support from the audience before coming back to later become champion was at least a different direction, but instead it feels like the same storyline is taking place. WWE could’ve had Breakker head away from the IC Title, and return to it later on to overcome a monster heel like Bronson Reed, but instead, Breakker will either beat Jey Uso and have a reign less impactful than before, or he will lose to Uso and fall flat.