Rikishi Names Bron Breakker and Dominik Mysterio as WWE’s Breakout Stars of 2025
WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi (Solofa Fatu Jr.) recently reflected on the past year in wrestling during episode 75 of his podcast, “Off The Top,” released in early January 2026. In the episode, co-hosted with TMD, Rikishi highlighted two WWE Raw superstars—Bron Breakker and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio—as having breakout performances in 2025, praising their growth and predicting even bigger things for them in the future.
Key Highlights from the Podcast
- Bron Breakker: Rikishi called 2025 a “breakout year” for Breakker, emphasizing his rapid rise on the main roster. Breakker, a second-generation star (son of Rick Steiner), captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship and delivered standout matches, showcasing his athleticism and power. Rikishi stated, “I’d have to say Bron Breakker, man… breakout year. Bron Breakker.”
- Dominik Mysterio: Rikishi also singled out Mysterio as one of the top breakout talents, noting his character development and in-ring work within The Judgment Day faction and beyond. Mysterio’s heel persona evolved significantly in 2025, leading to high-profile feuds and title pursuits. He added, “The year is actually Dirty Dominic Mysterio.”
The discussion was part of a broader 2025 recap, where Rikishi and TMD also covered topics like The Usos reclaiming the WWE Tag Team Championships, potential WrestleMania 42 matches, CM Punk’s social media antics, and the “OG Bloodline.” Rikishi, a member of the legendary Anoa’i family and father to The Usos and Solo Sikoa, often shares insider perspectives on his podcast, drawing from his own Hall of Fame career.
Public Reaction on X
The podcast episode has garnered attention from wrestling fans on X, with Rikishi himself promoting it to his followers. Outlets like @WrestlingInc shared clips and summaries, noting the picks as insightful given Rikishi’s family ties to current WWE storylines. Fans echoed agreement on Breakker’s dominance but debated Mysterio’s status, with some arguing other stars like Trick Williams or Liv Morgan had stronger claims. If you’re interested in the full episode, it’s available on YouTube and Spotify.