Question

What did electroweak symmetry breaking actually look like?

Answer 1

Aside: the fact that the symmetry is continuous might imply that domain walls aren't topologically protected, but nevertheless domain walls might exist out of equilibrium, for instance if the phase transition proceeded by nucleation of 'bubbles' of the new stable phase in a background of the old phase. 

Answer 2

The fact that the symmetry is continuous might imply that domain walls aren't topologically protected, but nevertheless domain walls might exist out of equilibrium, for instance if the phase transition proceeded by nucleation of 'bubbles' of the new stable phase in a background of the old phase...