Bron Breakker compared to a long history of second generation stars

In October, Bron Breakker starts his fourth year as a professional wrestler. Where does he rank compared to other second-generation stars when they were at the same point?

Bron Breakker continues his meteoric rise up the card on RAW. In less than four years, the younger Steiner looks poised to eclipse the early careers of other children of Hall of Famers. Granted, his 115 total matches appear small compared to Barry Windham, Charlotte Flair, and Randy Orton, the three Hall of Fame offspring we will compare and contrast. In previous years and with an abundant territorial system, wrestlers worked more. With that said, Breakker matches up favorably. For this context, the first four years of the wrestler's career will serve as a progress barometer.

Bron Breaker (age 26)

HOF Parent: Rick Steiner

Athletic Background: Georgia 6A High School Wrestling Champion (220 pounds)

Running Back/Linebacker, Kennesaw State University

Undrafted Free Agent fullback, Baltimore Ravens

Number of Matches, as of 6/4/24): 115

First Singles Match: October 8, 2020

Current Persona: Mixed smart-alecky with an aggressive heel.

In-Ring Style: Explosive array of suplexes, clotheslines, and occasional aerial maneuvers. Selling needs a bit of work. More of a "closed eye, staggering sideways" sell style.

Overview

The most physically gifted wrestler in the industry. While many wrestlers possess speed, Breakker features a brand of quick-twitch explosion. That is to say, he covers a short amount of ground quickly, erasing any daylight between moves. As a result throws, strikes, and holds appear crisper. With Breakker, he flashes the personality of his uncle Scott, unfurling a Frankensteiner to the delight of the crowd.

However, aside from that, he patterns his approach more like his father. In reviewing the elder Steiner's career at the same time, you see Breakker's advancement. While traveling through the AWA, Mid-South/UWF, and NWA, Rick made fantastic strides as a tag specialist, seeing time in Japan. Meanwhile, the WWE looks to place the Brock Lesnar-type rocket on his back. To their credit, the company does not look to rush the process. In the coming years, Bron Breakker will stand as a foundational talent with generational skills. Currently, he is looking to start a midcard program for seasoning. On the mic, Breakker feels like he's reached his final form, which is an outstanding help, but he still needs work treading through crowd chants.

Randy Orton (age 24)

HOF Parent: "Cowboy" Bob Orton

Athletic Background: Wrestler, Hazelwood East High School

Number of Matches, four years in): 258

First Singles Match: March 18, 2000 (lost to Ace Strange, Mid-Missouri Wrestling Alliance)

Persona After Four Years: Arrogant Heel Picking on Legends

In-Ring Style: Methodical, extremely safe, developing ring psychology, wrestles at one pace. Although his approach appears plodding, Orton will speed up with snap power slams and short clotheslines. Will mix in excellent drop kick and borrowed Superplex from his father.

Overview

When the WWE allowed Jim Cornette and Danny Davis to run Ohio Valley Wrestling as a development program in the early-2000s, they struck gold. Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Batista, Shelton Benjamin, and of course, Randy Orton. Unlike the previous four mentioned, Orton appeared destined for the squared circle.

The son of Hall of Famer Bob Orton, Jr and grandson of 50s and 60s standout grappler Bob Orton, Sr., the youngest Orton possessed the pedigree for success. On top of that, with his frame and conditioning, the powers in Stamford immediately envisioned a new world champion, transitioning from the Attitude Era.

During his first four years, Orton's natural ability helped him fly through OVW. By the time his fourth year started, Orton held the Intercontinental Championship, defending it at house shows and television. From there, he continued to climb the card, challenging for the world title, main-eventing TV and house shows. In retrospect, the modern version of Orton differs greatly from the fourth-year edition. First, Orton canned the terrible haircut and started to embrace the unhinged persona. Back then, the WWE placed Orton in Evolution, allowing time to find his promo and timing in front of big crowds. In contrast to Breakker, Orton possessed the entire package, allowing for a rapid push.

Barry Windham (age 23)

HOF Parent: Blackjack Mulligan

Athletic Background: Football Player, West Texas State

Number of Matches, four years in): 708

First Singles Match: November 27, 1979 (lost to J.J. Dillion, NWA Western States)

Persona After Four Years: Active face with limited mic skills

In-Ring Style: Phenomenal blend of brawling and technical work. After leaving college after a year, Windham went into the business, initially as a referee. However, how many six-foot-six referees work in wrestling? Between the ropes, Windham inherited his ability to throw working punches, selling and willingness to get color like his father. For a taller wrestler, selling remains difficult.

The fine line between believability and flopping like a fish in a boat could not feel closer. During his extended stay in Florida during the early years, Windham displayed his versatility in matches against Mr. Saito, Don Muraco and Dick Murdoch. Additionally, promoter Eddie Graham thought highly enough of Windham to slot him in matches with Harley Race and Ric Flair, both holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at the time of the match.

Overview

With all due respect to all of the wrestlers on the list, Barry Windham stands as the best professional wrestler in this group. Meaning, he wrestled with timing, fluidity, and awareness at just four years in which the others lacked. Going Broadway with Ric Flair while dominating the CWF scene impressed many. Yet, when Windham entered the big time, saw him compete as a tag wrestler with Mike Rotundo. During his career, Windham struggled with staying in one location. From ping-ponging between the WWF and NWA/WCW, he struggled to gain long-lasting traction, despite being extremely talented. Regardless of heel or face status, Windham evolved into a main event talent with both singles and tag team accolades. Perhaps the most underrated wrestler of his or any generation.

Charlotte Flair (age 23)

HOF Parent: Ric Flair

Athletic Background: Volleyball, North Carolina State University

Number of Matches, four years in): 259

First Singles Match: November, 29 2012 (lost to Emma, NXT)

Persona After Four Years: Ultraconfident heel

In-Ring Style: Despite looking, sounding, and walking like her father, Charlotte's athleticism outpaced her famous parent. With a volleyball background and long limbs, her style evolves into a mix of ground-based technique and the occasional high spot. Plus, her approach to opponents differs from her father.

With her height, Flair towers over every opponent, possessing a strength advantage due to a fanatical workout regimen. Meanwhile, Ric showed confidence in the fact that he knew that he needed to somehow cheat. On the other hand, Charlotte wrestles like she physically dominates her opponent, rarely fighting from underneath.

Overview

Within two months of her RAW debut, the company strapped the Divas title to Charlotte. With her NXT training complete, she spent the latter part of her first four years, running through the competition, capturing championships, and winning feuds. Of the first NXT women's callups, Charlotte remains the most important. Granted, Becky Lynch captured the world's attention with the birth and development of the Man persona.

Yet, the women's division may not change and start on the path that today's competitors enjoy. Arriving at the tail end of the Divas Era, Charlotte took the focus off looks and trained it on in-ring ability and mic skills to craft a complete package. Today, while she recovers from a triple knee injury (MCL. ACL and meniscus tears) and nearing forty, Charlotte will return to the ring in her customary great physical and cardiovascular shape, Despite being the only woman in this comparison, she is the only one that can rightfully claim gamechanger status. While the others can or can boast Hall of Fame credentials, Charlotte is the lone wrestler in this list that helped change the perception of an entire division.