Bron Breakker Explains Why He Refused To Use the Steiner Name In WWE

Bron Breakker arrived in WWE as the son of Rick Steiner and nephew of Scott Steiner, but he wanted to make his own name instead of relying on his family’s surname. That decision led WWE to introduce him as Bron Breakker rather than Bron Steiner.

Breakker signed with WWE in 2021 and made his NXT television debut later that year. His rise began quickly, as he defeated Tommaso Ciampa at New Year’s Evil in January 2022 to win his first NXT Championship. He eventually became a two-time NXT Champion before joining Baron Corbin to win the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and NXT Tag Team Championship.

He moved to WWE’s main roster in 2024, first appearing on SmackDown before being selected by Raw in the WWE Draft. Breakker later defeated Sami Zayn at SummerSlam to win the Intercontinental Championship. After losing the title to Jey Uso, he defeated Uso in a rematch to begin his second reign.

Despite not using the Steiner surname, Breakker has never attempted to hide his family background. His entrance sirens, singlets, wrestling style and use of the Frankensteiner all pay tribute to the work of his father and uncle.

During an interview uploaded to WWE Vault, WWE’s YouTube channel, Breakker sat alongside Rick and Scott Steiner and discussed how his ring name was created. When asked why he was called Bron Breakker instead of Bron Steiner, he explained that the idea came from his time playing football.

“I kinda came up with it from football. Like, just playin’ football, I used to try to hurt people or break people in half when I was blockin’ or whatever. And that’s kinda how I came up with the name. And I don’t feel like we need to use the name for me to be successful. I mean, I think I should just go my own route. And you know, I pay tribute to you guys. Everybody knows that like—I’m your son and related to you guys.”

Rick and Scott jokingly questioned Breakker’s desire to follow his own path while still using their moves, gear and entrance ideas. Scott pointed to the sirens, Frankensteiner, boots and singlets as examples of Breakker borrowing from the Steiner Brothers.

Breakker did not deny their influence. He explained that he wanted to bring parts of their work into his own WWE career while respecting what they had done during the 1980s and 1990s.

“Obviously, I got a long way to go. I gotta be better because the expectations are high because you guys set the bar so high for me. But it’s always been that way. It’s nothin’ really new for us. But, ya know, I’m excited. I’m eager to learn and I’m hungry. And I feel like I’m on the right track in terms of like takin’ some of the elements that you guys used to use back in the ’80s and early ’90s and doin’ some of that stuff, and just preservin’ it as respects to what you guys did.”

Breakker’s decision allowed him to build his own WWE identity without separating himself from his family. He does not carry the Steiner surname on television, but the influence of Rick and Scott remains visible every time he enters the ring.