Tony D’Angelo simply pulled again the curtain on a scrapped WWE NXT plan — and it will’ve paired him with Bron Breakker as a modern-day model of the Steiner Brothers.
Talking on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, D’Angelo revealed that the thought wasn’t simply speak — it was already being developed behind the scenes earlier than WWE NXT hit its main reset with NXT 2.0.
“After we first received in, me and Bron have been in a tag collectively. So we have been doing that for a minute. Not on TV, however they have been priming us. That is what you’re gonna do, sort of like the brand new age Steiner Brothers sort of deal. I used to be carrying a singlet, however I used to be carrying a singlet earlier than that anyway, in order that wasn’t overseas.”
The plan by no means made it anyplace close to tv — and the shift got here quick. In keeping with D’Angelo, Street Dogg personally delivered the replace proper as NXT transitioned into its 2.0 period.
“I simply bear in mind sooner or later, Street Dogg got here up and he was like, hey man, we’re not doing this. That is proper when 2.0 first kicked off. They sort of simply stated, clear slate, everyone, we sort of have a lane for you, and I had to determine fast what I used to be gonna do.”
From there, every part modified. D’Angelo pivoted into his “Don of NXT” function and constructed his personal faction alongside Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, whereas Breakker was pushed straight into the singles highlight — ultimately changing into a multi-time NXT Champion and transferring up the ladder.
And right here’s the twist — the tag workforce concept didn’t fully disappear from Breakker’s profession. Years later, Breakker teamed with Baron Corbin in NXT and captured the Tag Group Championships by defeating D’Angelo and Lorenzo. The precise sort of pairing initially pitched — simply with a totally completely different accomplice and end result.
It’s a uncommon take a look at how shortly plans can shift behind the scenes — and the way one artistic choice can fully change a number of careers in a single day.
Do you assume WWE ought to’ve adopted via with the D’Angelo–Breakker tag workforce concept, or did issues work out higher with each males going their separate methods? Drop your ideas and suggestions beneath.