Velveteen Dream Returns On WWE NXT

Dream had been absent since TakeOver: In Your House on 7 June.

By Andy H Murray /

WWE.com

Velveteen Dream made a surprising WWE NXT return on last night's show, entering a three-way qualifier for TakeOver XXX's North American Title Ladder Match as a mystery opponent.

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This was the first time Dream had been seen on NXT programming since losing to Adam Cole at TakeOver: In Your House on 7 June. He was unable to win the match, with Cameron Grimes pinning Kushida to earn the title shot.

Dream faced off with Finn Balor after the bell and will now fight NXT's 'Prince' next week, with the victor advancing to the ladder match. Fightful Select reported his comeback hours before the show.

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April saw Dream hit with allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards minors. These were then amplified during the #SpeakingOut movement in June, with further accusations coming to light, leading to speculation that WWE was on the verge of releasing him. Complicating matters further was a June car accident that saw the 24-year-old hospitalised, though he wasn't seriously hurt.

Dream denied accusations of misconduct back in April. He has issued no further statements since then and has now wiped his Twitter account.

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WWE's decision to bring him back has sparked an understandably critical response on social media.