Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship reign has surpassed all others in WWE history for days held during a single tenure. WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart shared insights in an exclusive interview, shedding light on why Bron Breakker stands as a viable contender to dethrone the esteemed Ring General.
Bron Breakker officially transitioned to the SmackDown brand on February 16, marking the culmination of two-and-a-half years on NXT television. At 26, Breakker also holds the distinction of being one-half of the current NXT Tag Team Champions alongside Baron Corbin.
In conversation with Sportskeeda Wrestling Senior Editor Bill Apter, Hart offered commendations for NXT’s Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, and expressed admiration for Breakker, the scion of WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner:
“Carmelo Hayes is great,” Hart remarked. “Trick Williams is very good. Bron Breakker is very good (…) He’s got a great interview. He’s got fire when he comes to the ring. He can talk. He’s got a special look. There’s something special about him and, of course, look who his daddy is.”
Later in the interview, Hart articulated his desire for Breakker to engage in a feud with Imperium’s leader:
“I’d like to see him, just because it’s something different, is to go against Gunther.”
Hear more of Hart’s insights on various WWE narratives, including CM Punk’s highly anticipated return, in the video above.
Addressing Gunther’s potential reign conclusion, Hart reflected on the transformative evolution of the Intercontinental Championship presentation since The Honky Tonk Man’s reign in the 1980s:
“Honky’s still the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. If you don’t believe it, just ask him. We were different. We were more colorful. We put the championship up four or five times a week, as everybody did back in those days.”
While Bron Breakker currently performs on a separate brand from Gunther’s RAW territory, past instances have shown interbrand interactions among superstars.
Hart elaborated on Breakker’s suitability to disrupt Gunther’s formidable streak:
“I think it comes time that Gunther trips a little bit, slips a little bit. Something happens and you put the championship on Bron Breakker. Let him run with it. Gotta get some new blood in there sooner or later, baby. There’s an old thing: if you do what you’ve always done, you’re gonna have what you’ve always had. Now, if you’re drawing big numbers and making big money with it, then keep the belt on Gunther. But if you’re not, sometimes you gotta make that change, baby.”
In the same dialogue, The Mouth of the South revealed his preferences for managing two WWE stars if he were to make a return.
